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.
Events
Latest News Stories
Illinois quick hits: Davis Gates selected to lead IFT; new veterans facilities in Quincy
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Davis Gates selected to lead IFT Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates is now also the president of the Illinois...
Everyday Economics: Economic expansions rarely die of old age
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square A partial government shutdown has paused many federal data releases, but two key reports on housing and inflation are still on deck. The Bureau of...
Poll: Vance, Trump Jr. early favorites to win GOP nod for next president
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance is currently the strongest contender for the 2028 presidential election among Republican voters, according to a new poll. The Center Square...
D.C. leads thousands of ‘No Kings’ protests nationwide
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Thousands of people marched in Washington, D.C., on Saturday as part of the second “No Kings” Day, protesting President Donald Trump. Organizers of the event...
Experts weigh in on fight over Obamacare premium tax credit extension
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the battle over extending pandemic-era Affordable Care Act subsidies raging in Congress, organizations across the political spectrum are highlighting the political pros and costly...
Republican support slipping ahead of midterm elections, poll shows
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A new poll shows faint warning signs for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm election, with Independent voters currently favoring Democratic candidates by nine percentage...
Poll: Americans support Antifa terror designation
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More American voters support President Donald Trump’s decision to designate Antifa a terror organization than those who don't, according to new polling. The Center Square...
Electronics retailer asks Supreme Court to quell tariff chaos
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A national electronics retailer asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to quell the uncertainty around tariffs for businesses that must import products. Crutchfield, a...
Illinois lawmakers push Pritzker on federal school choice program
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers urge Gov. J.B. Pritzker to join a new federal school scholarship tax credit program,...
Trump commutes former NY Rep. Santos’ prison sentence
By Chris WadeThe Center Square President Donald Trump wielded his executive powers Friday to commute the prison sentence of former New York congressman George Santos, ordering his immediate release from...
Trump calls Zelenskyy meeting ‘cordial’; urges Putin, Zelenskyy to make a ‘deal’
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump hosted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday afternoon, in hopes of inching Ukraine and Russia closer to peace. Trump...
Second nationwide ‘No Kings Day’ protest to occur Saturday
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square In thousands of locations across the country and even some across the world, millions are expected to gather in protest of what they see as...
Pritzker looking at how Illinois can cover looming SNAP funding lapse
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In less than two weeks, and with the upcoming holiday season, the ongoing federal government shutdown is...
