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
77° 58°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
As military branches celebrate 250 years, Democrats vote against paying them
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In addition to U.S. Senate Democrats voting 11 times to keep the government shut down, they’ve also voted against funding U.S. military personnel, many of...
Chicago transit violent crime at 7 year high, funding concerns persist
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With federal authorities now threatening to cut Chicago Transit Authority funding due to rising violence across...
WATCH: National Guard case before SCOTUS; Trump insists China soybean deal coming
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 reviews the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Harvey furloughs some employees; lead poisoning prevention continues
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Harvey furloughs some employees The Chicago suburb of Harvey has furloughed 69 employees, including police and fire, after the city council...
Illinois quick hits: Filings made to SCOTUS in National Guard case; Chicago sued DHS
By The Center SquareThe Center Square Filings made to SCOTUS in National Guard case Illinois asked the Supreme Court not to hear President Donald Trump's request to deploy the National...
Colorado Dems seek restoration of $600M in federal funds
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado Democrats joined together to sign a letter calling for the U.S. Department of Energy to restore over $600 million in funding for 38 Colorado-affiliated...
Senate Democrats block bill to end government shutdown for 11th time
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square For the 11th time, U.S. Senate Democrats blocked legislation Monday evening to reopen and fund the federal government, indicating that Republicans’ strategy of waiting out...
WATCH: Eric Trump talks about his book at Reagan Library
By Dave MasonThe Center Square After almost a decade of politics, Eric Trump felt it was time to tell his family's story. President Donald Trump’s son accused Democrats and mainstream...
IL State rep: Grants are paying off in effort to combat auto thefts, carjackings
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bipartisan group of elected officials are applauding a new round of state grants to help police...
Illinois asks Supreme Court not to give Trump authority over National Guard
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The state of Illinois asked the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear President Donald Trump's request to deploy the National Guard to Chicago amid a...
9th Circuit rules Trump can activate National Guard to protect ICE in Portland
By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit on Monday overturned a temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge...
WATCH: Pritzker not confident Trump can solve soybean trade deal with China
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With shipments of soybeans last month to China dropping to zero for the first time since November...
State senator points to failures as Illinois governor celebrates veterans home
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has announced the investment of nearly $300 million in taxpayer funds for a new...
