November 4, 2025/
WATCH: GOP U.S. Sen. candidate Tracy on shutdown, tariffs; state expands sanctuary
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks live with Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy about the government shutdown, politics over immigration, the use of tariffs and more.
Bishop also reviews floor debate over a bill to expand the state’s migrant sanctuary policies on the Illinois House floor as the clock struck midnight into Halloween. Democrats say the measure reigns in Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Republicans worry it opens state and local police and various institutions up to civil lawsuits.
Subscribe to Illinois in Focus Daily with The Center Square on YouTube. You can also subscribe to the Illinois in Focus podcast to get the entire show uninterrupted.
Today Jun 14
73° 55°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Illinois Quick Hits: Gas tops $5 a gallon
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is now $5.03 in Illinois,...
Newton Shuts Out Casey-Westfield in Conference Clash
CASEY, IL – A stellar pitching performance by C. Barthelme led Newton to a 3-0 victory over Casey-Westfield in Monday’s conference baseball matchup. Barthelme was nearly untouchable on the mound, tossing...
Casey-Westfield Baseball Powers Past Lawrenceville in 13-3 Road Win
The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team secured a decisive 13-3 conference victory over Lawrenceville on Thursday. The Warriors’ offense set the tone early and surged late to pull away from the...
Warriors Shut Out Danville in 9-0 Victory
The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team put together a complete performance on Thursday, shutting out Danville for a commanding 9-0 non-conference victory. The Warriors broke the game open early, scoring five...
Late-Inning Rally Propels Casey-Westfield Past Paris in Conference Clash
The Paris Tigers varsity baseball team dropped a hard-fought 6-4 conference matchup against Casey-Westfield on Monday. Despite a commanding offensive showing from M. Hutchings and a solid start on the...
Goble Stars in the Circle and at the Plate as Casey-Westfield Powers Past Paris, 10-3
The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team utilized three home runs and a dominant pitching performance from senior Ava Goble to secure a commanding 10-3 conference victory on the road against Paris...
Chicago mayor to push for local funding, keeping Bears
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As he travels to Springfield to lobby for state funding of local governments, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson...
Senate Republicans unveil $72 billion budget package to fund ICE, CBP
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republicans are forging ahead with legislation to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and U.S. Border Patrol along party lines. The two Senate committees...
Illinois AI regulations have mild industry support, could draw federal ire
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Experts in artificial intelligence spoke to state lawmakers recently, providing guidance on four bills introduced in the...
DOJ files complaint to block Minnesota climate lawsuit
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a complaint against Minnesota, seeking to block the state from continuing to pursue a lawsuit against energy companies...
Hegseth: Ceasefire holds despite Iranian aggression
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Despite Iranian forces opening fire on American warships in the Strait of Hormuz Monday, War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the ceasefire still holds and the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Mayors to visit capitol urge protection of local funding
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reverse his proposed budget cut to local...
Despite tax revolt, Lower Merion keeps administrator pay high
By Mark StricherzThe Center Square Despite a $27 million settlement with taxpayers in 2022, Lower Merion School District continues to pay top-tier salaries to administrators.Assistant high school principals in the...
