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.
⚠️ Tornado Watch issued June 17 at 9:15PM CDT until June 18 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Wed Jun 17
77° 58°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Virginia 1 of 4 in courtroom battles for congressional redistricting
By Shirleen GuerraThe Center Square Less than 100 days into Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration, Virginia’s redistricting fight is unfolding across multiple fronts, from the ballot box to the Legislature and...
Mt. Carmel Offense Explodes Early in 12-4 Rout of Casey-Westfield
The Mt. Carmel varsity baseball team unleashed a relentless offensive assault in the early frames, cruising to a comfortable 12-4 conference victory over visiting Casey-Westfield on Thursday afternoon. Mt. Carmel...
Goble Tosses Shutout, Casey-Westfield Outlasts Mt. Carmel 1-0 in Extra Innings
In a classic pitchers' duel where runs were at an absolute premium, the Casey-Westfield varsity softball team manufactured a single run in the top of the eighth inning to secure...
Illinois Quick Hits: State gaming board renew Rockford casino license
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Gaming Board has renewed Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s license for four years, retroactive to January...
Arizona GOP pushes to protect Colorado River’s limited water
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Arizona Republicans are seeking to protect the Colorado River as its water supply continues to dwindle. State Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert; state House Speaker...
Republicans challenge Clyde in Georgia’s 9th District
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Incumbent Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., is facing a primary challenger in his bid to hold on to his 9th District post. Sam Couvillon and Joel...
Fort Bragg soldier’s case continues Tuesday in New York
By Alan WootenThe Center Square An enlisted soldier at Fort Bragg was granted $250,000 bond release on Friday and will have his charges of using classified information to win $400,000...
Justice Department drops Federal Reserve probe, kicks to watchdog
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said Friday she is closing the Justice Department's criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, days after a...
Pritzker: ‘Need for speed’ for megaprojects bill with tax breaks
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says there is a need for speed when it comes to the Chicago Bears...
NYC schools probed over claims of antisemitism
By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Trump administration is investigating claims that New York City schools violated the civil rights of Jewish students by hosting seminars on Palestinian resistance. The...
Illinois Quick Hits: AFP says tax breaks would be more at Soldier Field
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Americans for Prosperity Illinois says megaprojects legislation that cleared the Illinois House could give a proposed development...
Soldier’s insider trading case puts prediction markets to the test
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square An alleged attempt by a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier to profit from classified military intelligence on a prediction market platform has resulted in the...
U.S. will continue blockade ‘as long as it takes,’ Hegseth says
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The United States will continue it's blockade in the Strait of Hormuz for "as long as it takes," War Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday....
