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
NFIB says economy growing, but jobs lagging
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The National Federation of Independent Business released it's job report Thursday afternoon noting that the federal jobs report expected Friday will likely be delayed by...
‘I don’t have anything to negotiate:’ Johnson holds firm on GOP shutdown strategy
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the government shutdown enters its second day, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defended Republican leaders’ refusal to concede to Democrats’ health care policy demands...
Analyst points to inefficiencies as Pritzker touts record spending on infrastructure
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the biggest infrastructure spending plan in state history, a transportation policy director...
Federal judge blocks cuts in anti-terror funding to NYC transit
By Chris WadeThe Center Square A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from withholding nearly $34 million to protect New York City's transportation system from terrorist attacks over the...
Businesses seek more time to address ‘diverging interests’ in tariff challenge
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A group of small businesses that brought a legal challenge against President Donald Trump's global tariffs asked the Supreme Court for more time to argue...
Israel-Hamas peace deal in limbo as clock ticks away on deadline
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The clock is ticking for Hamas leaders to respond to the 20-point peace agreement proposed by President Donald Trump and approved by Israeli Prime Minister...
Trimming the fat: Trump boasts of shuttering government agencies amid shutdown
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump has condemned the shutdown and laid the blame squarely at the feet of the “Radical Left Democrats”— in the meantime, he appears...
Trump freezes $18 billion in NYC infrastructure over DEI policies
By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Trump administration is freezing more than $18 billion in federal funding for infrastructure projects in New York City, citing concerns about diversity, equity and...
Illinois quick hits: DHS announces more than 800 illegals arrested; utility prices drop slightly
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Midway Blitz announces 800 illegals arrested According to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border...
WATCH: Officials shift shutdown blame; agreed-bill process upended; GOP offers solutions
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares reaction to...
Critics: Democrat Senators supporting “Democracy’ amendment would curtail free speech
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Every Democrat in the U.S. Senate has backed a constitutional amendment designed to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election...
LA skyscrapers for homeless could cost federal taxpayers over $1 billion
By Kenneth SchruppThe Center Square Federal taxpayers might be on the hook for more than $1 billion over the lifetime of three downtown Los Angeles skyscrapers designed to house the...
Fall 2025 Enrollment Reaches Highest Level in Many Years
Published on September 16, 2025 Lake Land College enrollment for the Fall 2025 semester has reached its highest level in many years, according to the College’s official 10th Day Enrollment Report...
