December 18, 2025/
WATCH: Pritzker reacts to Trump’s address; Immigration enforcement continues
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from Wednesday evening primetime address to the nation from President Donald Trump and Gov. J.B. Pritzker‘s reaction.
Bishop also jumps into the latest 24 hours of continued immigration enforcement in the Chicagoland area, including an interaction between immigration enforcement official Gregory Bovino and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss. This comes as the Illinois Accountability Commission prepares to meet today to provide an avenue for people to provide testimony about the impacts immigration enforcement.
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.
Fri Jul 24
82° 68°
Isolated Rain Showers
Latest News Stories
Bipartisan commission votes to release report on former rep’s misconduct
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission voted unanimously Thursday to release an investigative report from the Legislative Inspector...
Shah, Feely to face off in battleground House race
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Amish Shah and Jay Feely will face off for Arizona's first congressional district seat in November. The race is seen as one of the most...
Trump ‘final dealmaker’ on Saudi nuclear deal, Leavitt says
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump is working on possible nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia that would stand for three decades and involve U.S. companies, White House Press...
Sherrill pressured to expand probe into New Jersey voting scandal
By Chris WadeThe Center Square New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is facing pressure from Republican legislative leaders and federal law enforcement officials to provide more details on how more than...
Appropriations committee examines policies to end government shutdowns
By Christine JohnsonThe Center Square With two recent government shutdowns in mind due to lack of appropriations, members of Congress are examining why government shutdowns occur and what role lawmakers...
Illinois quick hits: Toll hike hearings conclude Friday
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Toll hike hearings conclude Friday The last two public hearings on the Illinois Tollway Board’s proposed toll increases are scheduled on...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey-Westfield CUSD C-4 Board of Education for June 22, 2026
Casey-Westfield CUSD C-4 Board of Education Meeting | June 22, 2026 The Casey-Westfield Community Unit School District C-4 Board of Education met in regular session at 7 p.m. Monday, June...
Administration presses law school accreditor over DEI policies
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A U.S. House task force questioned the president of the American Bar Association in a hearing Wednesday about the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity and...
Chicago can force landlords to pay tenants $10K for ‘relocation assistance’
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square (Legal Newsline) - Nothing in the U.S. Constitution prevents the city of Chicago from forcing landlords who purchase apartment buildings out of...
Speaker’s response to staffer assault complaint draws questions on his own conduct
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After reporting about a now-resigned state representative and allegations that Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch may...
Republicans’ $95B budget resolution passes House
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republicans’ blueprint for a third party-line bill passed the U.S. House on a slim two-vote margin Wednesday, despite grumblings from fiscal hawks over the bill’s...
$1.15T Pentagon funding authorization bill passes U.S. House
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A $1.15 trillion annual defense funding bill finally passed the U.S. House Wednesday after weeks of delay. Six Democrats joined all but seven Republicans in...
Lawmakers debate GLP-1 regulation, expansion
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Lawmakers pushed for more regulations and safety standards on popular weight loss medications, including GLP-1 prescriptions, at an event in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Rep....
