WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 21st, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 21st, 2025

(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares comments from Democrats and Republicans vying for their party’s nomination for U.S. Senate, and what they see as the crucial issues will turn out voters to the primary polls.

Bishop also shares some of the back-and-forth over gerrymandering with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker responding to a push by former Obama cabinet officials urging for an amendment to the Illinois Constitution for a non-partisan commission to draw congressional and legislative maps, instead of politicians drawing the boundaries.

Finally, Bishop reviews just some of the 271 bills Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker acted upon in the last week, including measures impacting the courts, schools, digital currency regulation and more. Of all that, the governor vetoed two of them setting up possible action during veto session scheduled in October.

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.

Part 1

Part 2

Events

26 Aug
28 Aug
28 Aug
29 Aug
30 Aug
30 Aug 25
30 Aug
30 Aug 25

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Possible 'agreement' reached in Trump-Putin meeting; more discussion likely

Possible ‘agreement’ reached in Trump-Putin meeting; more discussion likely

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square It appears an “agreement” was reached in the Friday meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and American President Donald Trump, but the nature of that...
WATCH: Gun rights supporters celebrate 9th Circuit’s ruling against CA gun rationing law

WATCH: Gun rights supporters celebrate 9th Circuit’s ruling against CA gun rationing law

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Gun rights supporters are celebrating what they call a significant victory after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a mandate on Thursday overturning California’s...
Feds sue California over emission standards for trucks

Feds sue California over emission standards for trucks

By Jamie ParsonsThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice is suing California to stop what it calls “unlawful” emission standards for heavy-duty trucks. The California Air Resources Board is...
Illinois quick hits: 'Lawsuit inferno' bill takes effect after Pritzker signed 267 measures Friday

Illinois quick hits: ‘Lawsuit inferno’ bill takes effect after Pritzker signed 267 measures Friday

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square 'Lawsuit inferno' bill takes effect Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation which led the American Tort Reform Association to label Illinois...
WATCH: UW-authored study on surgery times contradicts CMS basis for reimbursement cuts

WATCH: UW-authored study on surgery times contradicts CMS basis for reimbursement cuts

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square New findings published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons contradict the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, claim that surgery...
State defends gun ban district court ruled unconstitutional

State defends gun ban district court ruled unconstitutional

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Ahead of oral arguments over Illinois’ gun ban in the federal appeals court, attorneys for the state...
Trump aiming for ceasefire, world awaiting news from Putin summit

Trump aiming for ceasefire, world awaiting news from Putin summit

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska Friday in the hopes of negotiating a ceasefire or initial steps toward peace...
Pritzker acts upon 269 bills, vetoes 2, signs 'lawsuit inferno' measure

Pritzker acts upon 269 bills, vetoes 2, signs ‘lawsuit inferno’ measure

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In a Friday announcement of the status of 269 bills, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation which...
Report: average American to receive $3,752 tax cut in 2026 due to OBBBA

Report: average American to receive $3,752 tax cut in 2026 due to OBBBA

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The White House is touting a new economic analysis that estimates taxpayers will see an average $3,752 tax cut in 2026, due to provisions in...
Republican, Dem work to prevent deportation of entrepreneur

Republican, Dem work to prevent deportation of entrepreneur

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square It is not every day that people on opposite sides of the political spectrum join forces, but that is exactly what Lisa Everett and Brent...
Nevada superintendent says ICE won't enter schools

Nevada superintendent says ICE won’t enter schools

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square The superintendent of the nation's fifth-biggest school district said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agreed to not conduct raids or arrests in schools in Las...
Ad Hoc.8.12.25.3

Will County Updates Solid Waste Ordinance, Increases Fines and Reporting to Landfill Committee

Article Summary: The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee advanced an updated solid waste ordinance that doubles the maximum fine for violations and requires the county auditor's annual report to...
Ad Hoc.8.12.25.2

Citing Liability Concerns, Will County Committee Postpones Vote on Septic System Ordinance

Article Summary: The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee postponed a vote on updating its sewer and sewage disposal ordinance after a member raised significant concerns about the county's liability...
Ad Hoc.8.12.25.1

Will County Moves to Repeal Obsolete 1972 Fire Hydrant Ordinance

Article Summary: An ordinance from 1972 regulating the placement and specifications of fire hydrants in Will County is set to be repealed after the Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee approved its...
MAHA-style bill would close food additive safety loophole

MAHA-style bill would close food additive safety loophole

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With deregulation-focused Republicans in Congress reluctant to fulfill the industry-wary goals of the Make America Healthy Again initiative, some Democrats are taking up the torch....