November 19, 2025/
WATCH: $10M campaign finance fine dropped; Digital ID unveiled, Chicagoans speak up
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews actions taken by the Illinois State Board of Elections in regards to a nearly $10 million fine for campaign finance violations with Illinois Senate President Don Harmon’s campaign committee.
Bishop also shares recent public comments from residents of the city of Chicago about the city’s finances and immigration policies ahead of a new budget year with the prospect of a slew of tax increases to pay for a more than billion dollar budget deficit.
Finally, Bishop shares an announcement from the Illinois Secretary of State about the launch of digital ID for Apple devices.
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 17
75° 58°
Partly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey-Westfield School Board for October 20, 2025
Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | October 20, 2025 The Casey-Westfield Community Unit School District C-4 board on Monday, October 20, 2025, reviewed the district's strong financial health and heard extensive...
A Taste of 4-H: A Fun Challenge for Third Graders
Third-grade students received a special visit from Shelby Zellers for an engaging introduction to the world of 4-H. The students learned about the wide variety of activities and hands-on projects...
Judge: Benefits of feeding babies beat risk claims in NEC lawsuits
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Saying trial lawyers have not yet shown evidence of an alternative to cow's milk-based infant formula that would not leave tens of...
Illinois quick hits: Raoul joins SNAP benefits lawsuit; disaster declaration denial appealed
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Raoul joins SNAP benefits lawsuit Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a coalition of 26 attorneys general and governors in filing...
WATCH: Democratic attorneys general sue feds to release food benefits
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic officials from California and 25 other jurisdictions sued the Trump administration Tuesday to continue Supplemental Food Assistance Program benefits in November despite the federal...
WATCH: GOP lawmaker: Pritzker-back energy omnibus will lead to higher bills
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are debating an energy omnibus bill during the final days of fall veto session, but...
Illegal border crossings in September historically low
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Illegal border crossings in September were historically low, representing a 92.4% drop from a record high reported in September 2023. Last month, 26,002 illegal border...
Vance says U.S. troops will get paid Friday despite shutdown
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Vice President J.D. Vance said Tuesday that 1.3 million U.S. troops will get a paycheck on Friday despite a congressional funding lapse and stalemate that...
WATCH: Constitution debated as IL judge orders reports from Border Patrol commander
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A federal judge in Chicago has ordered U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino to provide her with...
WATCH: Tax increases expected before Illinois legislators adjourn veto session
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers may find out they are on the hook for another tax increase before the week...
‘There is no excuse’: air traffic controllers, pilots urge Congress to end shutdown
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As air traffic controllers and other federal workers missed a full paycheck Tuesday, growing numbers of labor unions and advocacy groups are calling on Congress...
Texas leaders look to immigration reform
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Local mayors in Texas are calling on state and federal leaders to implement worker protections for immigrant workers. “This is not Republican, this is not...
IL state rep: Reckless immigration policies led to fatal crash
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state lawmaker blames “reckless immigration policies” after a crash killed Coles County Board Member...
WATCH: Primary election petitions filed; redistricting consideration for veto session
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 highlights some of...
Illinois quick hits: Unemployment estimates little changed; State Fair discounted ticket sales
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Unemployment estimates little changed The Chicago Fed Real-Time Unemployment Rate Forecast estimates the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly unemployment rate...