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.
Events
Latest News Stories
Investigation: California brush clearance stalling 9 months after January fires
By Kenneth SchruppThe Center Square California’s brush clearance efforts are stalling nine months after the devastating January fires that destroyed vast swathes of Los Angeles County, state data shows. Only...
Trump approval rating at 48% in October, poll finds
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A new poll shows that President Donald Trump’s approval rating reached 48% in October, a number mostly bolstered by Republicans. The Center Square Voters' Voice...
Millions of dollars spent on redistricting commercials
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square As the California special election heats up in the weeks leading to voters saying yay or nay on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s congressional redistricting effort, big...
WATCH: Trump posthumously honors Charlie Kirk with Presidential Medal of Freedom
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, was awarded posthumously to Charlie Kirk on what would’ve been his 32nd birthday Tuesday. President Donald...
Southwest falls short on list of great cities to drive
By Dave MasonThe Center Square There’s no place safer to drive in the U.S. than Corpus Christi, Texas. That’s according to a WalletHub study, which puts five Texan cities in...
Govt shutdown predicted to drag on after funding bill fails for 8th time in Senate
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square It’s been two weeks since the federal government shut down, and lawmakers are no closer to reaching a deal after U.S. Senate Democrats voted down...
Supreme Court rejects bid to overturn H-1B visa rule
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear a case challenging a rule that allows spouses of H-1B workers to work in the United...
Johnson tells Democrats to ‘bring it’ over pay for U.S. troops
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's weekend move to pay U.S. troops during a partial government shutdown raised legal questions, but it also relieved pressure on Republicans as...
WATCH: Pritzker vows to continue battling Trump over ‘abuses’ around public safety
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The war of words continues between President Donald Trump and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over public safety...
Lawmakers, advocates discuss battery storage, consumer costs in energy bill
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state lawmaker is pushing battery storage legislation, but not all of her Democratic colleagues are...
Houston-based company makes LNG history in Alaska
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas-based companies continue to lead the U.S. in oil and natural gas production – including in Alaska. A Houston-based company has helped make history by...
Massachusetts university visa program under threat of H-1B fee
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Certain H-1B visa programs across the country could be under threat as the Trump administration cracks down on the program with a new $100,000 fee....
Illinois quick hits: State Farm sued; ag education grants announced; ‘Operation Summer Heat’ results
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square State Farm sued The state of Illinois is suing Illinois-based State Farm insurance, alleging the company refused to comply with a...
