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.
⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 15 at 3:11PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 15 at 3:10PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Mon Jun 15
74° 53°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Civil rights complaints filed over race-based healthcare scholarships
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A nonprofit advocacy group has filed federal civil rights complaints against two healthcare systems, alleging their scholarship programs unlawfully exclude applicants based on race. Do...
Candidates clamor for Carter’s open seat
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter's decision to run for U.S. Senate has attracted 14 candidates for his 1st Congressional District post. Carter, a Republican, has served...
Illinois Quick Hits: Civic federation funds ‘persistent structural imbalance’ in Illinois
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Civic Federation report has identified a persistent structural imbalance in the Illinois budget, with expenditures...
Illinois Quick Hits: Civic federation funds ‘persistent structural imbalance’ in Illinois
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Civic Federation report has identified a persistent structural imbalance in the Illinois budget, with expenditures...
Lincoln-Way Schools Join “WillBeReady” Mutual Aid Network for Disaster Response
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Board of Education approved a Memorandum of Understanding to join the "WillBeReady" Mutual Aid Network,...
Millions Approved for Will County Highway and Road Infrastructure Projects
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board authorized nearly $4.3 million in road improvement contracts, targeting key corridors including Francis Road, Renwick Road,...
U.S. House OKs Fetterman bill allowing SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken
By John ColeThe Center Square A bill that would allow recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to buy hot rotisserie chicken is one step closer to becoming...
Gas hits $6 a gallon in California; Southwest see increases
By Liam HibbertThe Center Square California Thursday officially exceeded an average gas price of $6 a gallon for the first time since the start of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran....
Teacher unions spent over $1B on political causes since 2015
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square National teachers unions have spent over $1 billion on political activity and advocacy since 2015, according to a new report by Defending Education. Both reports,...
Illinoisans may soon need registration, title, license to use e-bikes, scooters
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinoisans may soon be required to register their e-bikes, motorized scooters and other various modes of transport...
Executive order creates website for retirement accounts, matching federal contributions
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday aiming to expand access to “high-quality” retirement accounts to all Americans. The administration will launch a website...
Congress extends govt. surveillance powers for 45 days
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House has adopted a short-term extension of FISA Section 702, buying lawmakers more time to hammer out reforms to the controversial federal surveillance...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Township Board for March 9, 2026
Frankfort Township Board Meeting | March 9, 2026 The Frankfort Township Board met on Monday, March 9, 2026, for a brief 13-minute regular meeting. Supervisor Nick George led the proceedings,...
