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 16 at 2:13PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 16 at 2:12PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 15
74° 54°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Illinois Quick Hits: NFIB says biz deduction will bring jobs, benefit to Illinois
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The National Federation of Independent Business says Illinois is projected to gain 48,000 new jobs each year...
Soaring costs and short supply shut millennials out of housing market
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Baby Boomers continue to dominate the U.S. housing market, buying and selling more homes last year than any other generation, while homeownership remains out of...
Vought testifies before lawmakers on Trump’s $2.1T budget request
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought met with U.S. lawmakers Wednesday to discuss the president’s $2.1 trillion budget proposal for the next fiscal...
SNAP eligibility changes spark debate on gap for impacted recipients
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A coalition of non-profits and community organizations across the state are warning that more than 200,000 Illinoisans...
Trump puts spotlight on China, Iran’s top oil consumer
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square With the blockade of Iranian ports moving toward its third day, China, Iran’s largest importer of oil, is vowing not to send weapons to the...
Lawmakers, auditors offer fraud prevention solutions
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Lawmakers and auditors called on the federal government to implement legislation preventing fraud in programs run by the state. The U.S. House Oversight Subcommittee on...
Illinois unions seek to kill Waymo-friendly bill in Springfield
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Leadership and rank-and-file from multiple labor unions called on lawmakers to kill legislation aimed at welcoming autonomous...
Will County Animal Protection Services Advises Against Multi-Campus Shelter Model
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | April 2, 2026 Article Summary: Following a request for research, the Will County Animal Protection Services administrator reported that Will County...
Executive Committee Advances $15,000 Strategic Plan Initiative
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | April 9, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee unanimously approved a $15,000 agreement with Leap HR Consulting to develop the...
Rich States Poor States: Tax policy largely determines states’ economic competitiveness
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square No matter what a state offers in terms of natural beauty, work and social opportunities, tax and economic policy — as unglamorous as they sound...
P&Z Commission Overrides Staff Denials, Rescuing Special Use Permits for Joliet Wedding Venue and Romeoville Barge Terminal
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to overturn administrative denials for two delayed commercial projects—a...
Will County P&Z Commission Grants Extensions for Joliet Township Solar Farm Ground Cover
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously granted a final deadline extension for a commercial solar...
P&Z Approves Lockport Bounce House Business Expansion
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | April 7, 2026 The commission unanimously approved Zoning Case #ZC-25-137 for Victor H. Lule Huerta, owner of 3262 S. State Street in...
78 pro-life orgs ask DOJ to stop undermining state laws by favoring aborting drug industry
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America led 77 of its pro-life organization colleagues in sending the acting U.S. attorney general a letter asking the Department of...
Lincoln-Way East Boys Outpace West and Stagg to Claim SWSC Triangular Victory
The Lincoln-Way East Griffins showcased their formidable depth Tuesday afternoon, securing a first-place finish at the boys SouthWest Suburban Conference (SWSC) triangular meet hosted by Lincoln-Way West. The Griffins compiled...