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
Exclusive: Colorado lawmakers split over limits on taxes
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado Rep. Lorena Garcia is calling for an end to Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights, commonly known as TABOR. “I will say unequivocally that TABOR...
Americans on Social Security will see 2.8% benefits boost next year
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square More than 70 million Americans receiving Social Security benefits will see a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment beginning Jan. 2026. The Social Security Administration made the announcement...
Better-than-expected inflation report generates cut predictions
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Investors are predicting another rate cut at the Federal Reserve’s meeting next week after a better-than-expected inflation report Friday, while stocks reached new highs. Inflation...
Op-Ed: 340B needs transparency to fulfill Its mission
By TaLana Hughes | Sickle Cell Disease Association of IllinoisThe Center Square For the 5,000 people in Illinois living with sickle cell disease, access to affordable medical care and life-saving...
India’s Reliance says it will abide with sanctions on Russian oil purchases
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries said Friday it will adjust its refining operations to abide with U.S. and European sanctions on purchases of Russian crude oil....
Critics warn Illinois’ ‘megaproject’ tax breaks shift costs to taxpayers
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Springfield proposal grants major tax breaks to “megaprojects,” which critics warn could leave homeowners and...
WATCH: Pritzker creates accountability commission amid increased immigration enforcement
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 discusses the executive...
Illinois quick hits: Report: $17,300 state debt per person; Metro East crime suppression operations
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Report: $17,300 state debt per person A new report from Reason Foundation shows that Illinois’ state government has $222 billion in...
Trump suspends trade talks with Canada over Ronald Reagan ad
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump suspended all trade talks with America's largest trading partner over an ad that features former President Ronald Reagan speaking about tariffs in...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for October 16, 2025
LW210 Board of Education Meeting | October 16, 2025 The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025, was dominated by news that the district's support...
WATCH: GOP leader calls Pritzker’s accountability commission a ‘political stunt’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has created a new government commission to document the conduct of federal law...
Battery storage financials remain in question as lawmakers consider energy omnibus
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State lawmakers are expected to include battery storage as part of an energy omnibus bill at the...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker praises credit upgrade; Cook County approves $20M quantum grant
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker praises credit upgrade Moody’s Investors Service has upgraded Illinois’ credit rating to A2 for the state’s general obligation bonds. Gov....
