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.
Latest News Stories
Lincoln Way District 210 Achieves Highest Bond Rating in History
Lincoln Way Community High School District 210 has reached its highest-ever bond rating of AA3 from Moody's and A+ from Standard & Poor's, culminating a remarkable recovery from financial challenges...
District Recognizes Outstanding Student Readers in Statewide Program
Lincoln Way Community High School District 210 recognized exceptional students who completed the Read for a Lifetime program, with several achieving the rare distinction of reading 100 books over four...
Board Meeting Shorts
Budget Amendment Approved: The board approved amendments to the fiscal year 2025 budget totaling $121.7 million in revenue and $120.1 million in expenses. Changes primarily reflect bond proceeds and related...
Student Council Presidents Highlight Senior Year Accomplishments
Lincoln Way's three student council presidents delivered their final speeches of the school year, highlighting major accomplishments and memorable events before graduating this weekend. Jason Sro from Lincoln Way Central...
Will County Board Meeting Briefs Package
COUNTY APPOINTMENTS Fire Protection District: Board approved county executive appointments to Manhattan Fire Protection District board. Agricultural Committee: Approved appointment to Agricultural Area Committee with Member Judy Ogala abstaining due...
Frankfort Park District Reorganizes Board, Explores Options for Tax-Impacting Projects
FRANKFORT – The Frankfort Park District Board seated its re-elected members, reorganized its leadership, and approved its new annual budget on Tuesday, while also revealing it is actively exploring options...
Aging Sara Park Building Poses Challenge for Park District
The Frankfort Park District is grappling with how to address the deteriorating Sara Park building, whose roof is in "bad shape" and whose location within a flood plain complicates any...
Meeting Briefs: Frankfort Park District Board for May 13, 2025
The Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners re-elected its leadership team for a new term and approved its fiscal year 2025-2026 budget at its meeting on Tuesday. The board also...
Lincoln-Way Board Approves Up to $31.3 Million Bond Sale for Safety, Security Upgrades
The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution to issue up to $31.33 million in life safety bonds to fund a wide range of...
Frankfort Square Park District Approves Budget Amid County Tax Adjustment, Funds Major Projects
The Frankfort Square Park District Board of Commissioners unanimously approved its operating budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year during its April 17 meeting, earmarking funds for major ongoing projects and...
Lincoln-Way School Board Certifies Election, Re-elects Janik as President
The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education officially reorganized for the upcoming year during its meeting on April 17, certifying the results of the April 1 consolidated...
New Electricity Contract to Save Lincoln-Way Over $500,000 Next Year
Lincoln-Way High School District 210 is poised for significant energy cost savings after the Board of Education unanimously approved a new 54-month electric commodity contract with Direct Energy. The agreement,...
Four New Commissioners to Join Frankfort Square Park District Board in May
Four newly elected commissioners are set to join the Frankfort Square Park District Board in May, following the April 1, 2025, Consolidated Election. Executive Director Audrey Marcquenski formally congratulated Lauren...
