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
WATCH: Police officer, legislator: Seize opportunity to reform Illinois’ cashless bail
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republicans want to change the state's no-cash bail law. Democrats say cashless bail is working. President...
WATCH: IL Hospital Association: $50B rural hospital fund ‘woefully inadequate’
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker continues sounding the alarm over federal health care subsidies as the White House...
Rotarian Shane Todd presents program at Rotary Club
Rotarian Shane Todd presented the program at Tuesday’s Rotary Club meeting at Richards Farm, updating Rotarians on the schedule of events for Casey’s 37th Annual Popcorn Festival over Labor Day...
Illinois quick hits: Chicago businesses at 10-year low; school admin survey closes soon
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chicago businesses at 10-year low The number of businesses operating in Chicago has reached a 10-year low. Citing city license data,...
Pritzker unveils Illinois LGBTQ hotline amid debate over transgender athletes
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Reports of a transgender student being accepted onto the Conant High School girls volleyball team has...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lake Land College Board of Trustees for July, 2025
The Lake Land College Board of Trustees reviewed a nearly $60.8 million balanced operating budget and approved a new strategic plan at its meeting on July 14, 2025. The new...
Marine’s mother takes on troop transport duties for family visits
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square When Army Specialist Dakota Barnes considered flying home to California for Christmas last year, she knew she couldn't afford it without giving up her yearly...
Trump plans to clean up Democrat-run cities over local objections
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump plans to clean up major U.S. cities that he says are plagued by crime. Democrats see his plans to use military troops...
Lake Land Seeks State Funding for Major Renovations to Four Campus Buildings
Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees has approved a funding request to the state for extensive renovations of four major campus buildings: the Northwest and Northeast Classroom...
Energy advocate applauds oil and gas commingling updates
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Oil and gas commingling rules have been updated in accordance with the Big Beautiful Bill in order to strengthen energy production and safety, with energy...
Texas legislature passes redistricting map, governor to sign into law
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square )The Center Squar) – The Texas Senate passed HB 4, the state’s congressional redistricting plan, which changes nearly all districts and could flip up to...
Lake Land College Board Reviews Balanced $60.8 Million Operating Budget for FY 2026
Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees reviewed a proposed balanced operating budget of $60,790,628 for fiscal year 2026. The budget, which reflects a slight decrease from the...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Clark County Board for July 18, 2025
The Clark County Board faced extensive public criticism regarding its recent approval of two large-scale solar projects during its meeting on July 18. Multiple residents and experts raised alarms about...
