WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Wednesday Aug. 13th, 2025
August 13, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares comments from Tuesday’s bill signing ceremony where Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Sonya Massey’s law and the issue of how to address police accountability.
Bishop also shares the latest comments from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson responding to President Donald Trump calling him incompetent in regards to public safety.
Watch the full program below. 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.
Latest News Stories
Exclusive: Nonprofit leader urges fight against ‘woke capitalism’
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A bill designed to protect the United States' court system from foreign influence is too broad, according to Trent England, director of the nonprofit Save...
As pennies disappear, businesses turn to hoarding, rounding
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans can continue to spend pennies, but few businesses are giving them back as the coin's 232-year run comes to an end. Some businesses have...
Chicago tax proposals draw concern over legality, ‘economic death spiral’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s allies have launched a seven-figure campaign to support his 2026 budget proposal, but...
Illinois quick hits: Former governor proposes millionaire’s surcharge; digital state ID launched
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Former governor proposes millionaire's surcharge Former Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing for a state constitutional amendment requiring Illinois millionaires to pay...
Louisiana Rep. Clay Higgins defends Epstein ‘no’ vote
By Natalie ChandlerThe Center Square LouisianaRepublican Rep. Clay Higgins of Lafayette, the only U.S. House of Representatives lawmaker who voted against releasing documents associated with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein...
U.S. Senate passes bill to release Epstein files, heads to Trump’s desk
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate on Tuesday agreed to pass a bill by unanimous consent requiring the U.S. attorney general to release all documents related to convicted...
Abbott designates Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Gov. Greg Abbott is the first governor in the United States to designate two Muslim groups as Foreign Terrorist and Transnational Criminal Organizations. On Tuesday,...
Judge blocks feds from freezing California education funding
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from freezing University of California's federal funding over alleged violation of anti-discrimination laws. U.S. District Judge Rita Lin...
Texas appealing El Paso court ruling against new congressional maps
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas is appealing a federal district court ruling in a lawsuit filed over its new redistricting law. On Tuesday, a panel of three judges on...
Elections board drops campaign finance fines against IL Senate President
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The campaign finance violation against Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, is over after the Illinois...
Illinois corrections officials say they are on schedule for prison mail scan rule
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Department of Corrections officials are promising to have a permanent rule on electronic mail scanning drafted...
DOJ probes Berkeley riot; Illinois TPUSA warns hostility isn’t just in California
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into University of California Berkeley after...
‘Consequential’ day ahead for future household electricity costs
By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – PJM’s Board of Directors is preparing to make one of the most consequential decisions of this...