Illinois in Focus: Candidate urges civil debate around ICE; state spends 43% more; mandatory voting
September 25, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares comments from Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski, state Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, and Vice President J.D. Vance about public safety around immigration enforcement.
Bishop also delves into recent analysis by The Center Square’s investigative team about the increased state spending of tax dollars under the Pritzker administration and reaction from legislators on both sides of the aisle.
Finally, Bishop shares debate from an Illinois House Ethics and Elections Committee about the ideas around mandatory voting and consolidating local elections.
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.
Today Jun 17
70° 55°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Illinois lawmaker questions IDHS over years-long data breach
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker slammed the state agency as “incompetent” after the Department of Human Services revealed...
Draft County Federal Agenda Opposes Sharing Medicaid Patient Data with ICE
Article Summary: A proposed federal policy platform presented to the Will County Board takes a hard line against a federal agreement that allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access...
Park Board Secures 4.10% Interest Rate for District Certificates of Deposit
Frankfort Park District Meeting | December 9, 2025 Article Summary: The Frankfort Park District Board voted to renew expiring Certificates of Deposit at a negotiated rate of 4.10% for a...
Northern Builders Development Brings Changes to Laraway and Gougar Roads in New Lenox
Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved access permits for a new development by Northern Builders at the intersection of Laraway Road...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee for January 6, 2026
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, to discuss...
Frankfort Fire Deploys New Engine, Opts for Cost Savings on Paint
Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District has placed Engine 72 into service at Station 72, utilizing a used vehicle to save taxpayer funds. Engine 72 Key Points: Engine 72...
County Board Debates Legislative Agendas; State Agenda Passes, Federal Agenda Sent Back
Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board engaged in a vigorous and at times confusing debate over its 2026 legislative priorities, ultimately passing...
District 210 Updates Online Course Policy and Increases Summer School Fees
Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education approved an increase in summer school fees and clarified policies regarding online coursework for...
Corporal Ingram completes elite leadership training program
Corporal Kurtis Ingram has successfully completed the School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) at Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety. The SPSC is an intensive 10-week program focused on...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for January 8, 2026
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | January 8, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Executive Committee met on Thursday, January 8, 2026, tackling a heavy agenda that included...
Blaze Destroys Building and Food Truck at Woldhuis Sunrise Nursery
By Andrea Arens A massive fire tore through Woldhuis Sunrise Nursery late Thursday morning, destroying one greenhouse building, a food truck, damaging another building and drawing firefighters from across the...
Paul G. Kinsella Officially Appointed Fire Chief of Frankfort Fire Protection District
Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees has announced the permanent appointment of Paul G. Kinsella as Fire Chief, following his service as Interim Chief since March...
Pritzker signs Clean Slate Act to automatically seal some criminal convictions
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation to automate the state’s record-sealing process for individuals with certain criminal...
