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
Tue Jun 16
71° 59°
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Illinois Quick Hits: Downtown Chicago office vacancies hit another record high
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Downtown Chicago’s office vacancy rate has risen to a record high for the 15th consecutive quarter. Crain’s...
Trump issues dire warning to Iran as deadline looms
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” President Donald Trump warned the Iranian regime as the clock ticks toward the...
Report: Iran, inflation concern small businesses
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square U.S. small businesses reported reduced spending and hiring amid concerns over military strikes against Iran and looming inflation data, according to a new report. The...
U.S.-Israel-Iranian conflict escalating global energy, supply chain crisis
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The U.S.-Israel led attack against Iran continues to impact the global oil supply by cutting off Persian Gulf crude production and distribution. It’s not only...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee for March 26, 2026
Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | March 26, 2026 The Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee held a special workshop meeting on Thursday, March...
Green Garden and New Lenox Road Projects Approved in $2.5 Million Public Works Package
Will County Board Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved a series of heavy infrastructure contracts, highlighted by a nearly $1.6 million bridge replacement in...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for March 19, 2026
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | March 19, 2026 The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education met on Thursday, March 19, 2026, to advance several...
Trump endorses Hilton in California gubernatorial primary
By Dave MasonThe Center Square President Donald Trump has endorsed former Fox News anchor Steve Hilton in California’s Republican gubernatorial primary. Trump picked Hilton over the other prominent GOP candidate...
Feds award $1M for Rose Bowl upgrade ahead of Olympics
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Rose Bowl is getting infrastructure upgrades ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics. Just over $1 million in federal funds will go toward water and...
Trump defends Section 122 in latest tariff legal challenge
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's administration defended his newest 10% global entry tariffs against a legal challenge in a trade court. The administration said that Trump acted...
Education department rescinds Title IX resolution agreements
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on Monday rescinded portions of multiple resolution agreements, alleging that previous administrations expanded the interpretation of...
Illinois gun owners plan rally in wake of Supreme Court order
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois State Rifle Association says gun owners have run out of options in a case challenging...
Artemis II mission breaks records Monday as astronauts observe far side of the moon
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The astronauts of the Artemis II NASA mission made history just before 2 p.m. Eastern Monday when they traveled farther in their Orion spacecraft from...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois House speaker’s son to attend private school; AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University; IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois House speaker's son to attend private school Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, says his son will attend a...
