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.
Sun Jun 14
75° 54°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Pritzker watching redistricting debate as GOP grapples with filibuster
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In the aftermath of Tuesday’s elections in other parts of the country, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is...
Trump administration finds SNAP fraud
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Amid the ongoing government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking to root out fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as...
WATCH: Trump says tariffs may cost Americans ‘something’ but keep U.S. safe
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Thursday Americans should be thankful for his tariffs, which he said he has used to end wars that Americans would otherwise...
Chicago mayor: IL legislature has ‘more work to do’ on tax increases
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to see more tax increases from the Illinois General Assembly, but a...
Chicago pension, debt services costs among highest in country
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago’s budget has grown by nearly 40% since 2019 with the biggest increased expenditure going toward...
WATCH: DCFS still looking for missing children numbers; Pritzker on elections results
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop continues his coverage...
Illinois quick hits: DHS ordered to address ICE facility conditions; Garcia explains retirement decision
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DHS ordered to address ICE facility conditions A U.S. District Court judge in Chicago has issued a temporary restraining order directing...
Congressional Perks: Luxury cars and mileage result in big costs for taxpayers
By Arthur Kane | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Reps Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and David Scott, D-Ga., have each had taxpayers pay as much as...
State Assessment Shake-up: Frankfort 157-C to Form Committee for New Honors Criteria
Frankfort School District 157-C Meeting | September 2025 Article Summary: Frankfort School District 157-C is adapting to new, less restrictive student assessment benchmarks from the Illinois State Board of Education...
Frankfort Fire District Adopts Updated Fire Codes to Address Solar Power, New Technologies
Frankfort Fire Protection District Meeting | September 2025 Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District has unanimously adopted a new fire prevention ordinance to modernize safety standards and address emerging...
Illinois quick hits: $20 million for Alton housing project; alleged migrant assaults reported
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square $20 million for Alton housing project Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority announced the opening of a $20...
WATCH: Illinois DCFS can’t locate documents showing number of missing children
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Documents to show the number of missing youth in care from the Department of Children and Family...
Will County Committee Advances Phased Takeover of Central Will Dial-A-Ride Service
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved a five-year plan to consolidate the Central Will Dial-A-Ride service into its...
