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
Tue Jun 16
71° 59°
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Court showdown over Trump’s tariffs could reshape U.S. trade policy
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A ruling from a small federal trade court in New York could reshape global trade, as it decides the legality of President Donald Trump's latest...
PSA urges consumers to think ‘Before You Call That Lawyer’
By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A national education campaign is urging consumers to gather critical information before hiring a personal injury attorney. Protecting American Consumers Together, or...
Vance to lead talks in Iran on Saturday
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance will lead talks with Iranian leaders in Islamabad on Saturday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Vance will be...
Rep questions state ed board’s higher budget request, proficiency standards
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois State Board of Education wants more taxpayer funding to address inequity and boost public school...
Illinois reps move bill to give remedy to young victims of hidden cameras
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Lawmakers advanced a proposal aimed at giving Illinois families new legal recourse when minors are secretly recorded...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago Election Board says 94% of ballots casts were for Dems
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners have announced the official results of the primary election in the...
Chicago office vacancy rates worsen, card swipe numbers offer hope
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Chicago’s downtown office vacancy rate hits another record high, homeowners in the city can expect to...
Illinois Quick Hits: Illiois gas prices keep rising
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The average gas price in Illinois has risen 89 cents per gallon in the last month. According...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees for March 11, 2026
Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | March 11, 2026 The Joliet Junior College (JJC) Board of Trustees met on Wednesday evening to manage the college's sprawling operational and...
IL Supreme Court says it can remove Cook Co. judge for pro-Trump column
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The justices on the Democrat-dominated Illinois Supreme Court are asking a federal judge to declare they have the constitutional authority to abruptly...
FBI: Illinois’ cyber crime losses reached $535M in 2025
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The FBI Internet Crime Report for 2025 ranks Illinois fifth in the U.S. for cyber crime complaints...
Minnesota, Illinois AGs challenge federal orders to keep coal plants running
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is challenging the Trump administration over orders requiring coal-fired power plants in Indiana to remain open past their planned retirement...
FBI finds Americans lose billions to cryptocurrency scams
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans lost more than $20 billion to cryptocurrency and other online scams in 2025, a 26% increase over the year before, according to the latest...
