WATCH: IL lawmakers pass consequential bills early Halloween
October 31, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop powers through on little sleep with a roundup of legislative activity at the Illinois State Capitol that stretched into the early morning hours Friday. Measures approved include an energy policy bill, a tax increase to fund mass transit and enhancements to the state’s migrant sanctuary policies.
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
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Summit Hill School District 161 for September 17, 2025
Summit Hill School District 161 Board Meeting | September 17, 2025 The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education held its regular meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, where...
Will County Poised to Launch Major Mental Health Initiative Based on Joliet Program’s Success
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee on Thursday considered establishing "Will County CARES," a...
Looming State Energy Bill Threatens to Further Limit County Control Over Solar and Wind Projects
Will County Legislative Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: A state energy bill likely to be considered during the fall veto session or next spring could further strip Will...
Controversial Immigrant Rights Resolution Postponed by Will County Board After Heated Debate
Will County Executive Committee Meeting October 9, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee voted to indefinitely postpone a contentious resolution titled "Declaring Will County's Commitment to Ensure Communities...
Trump says US troops will get paid Oct. 15 despite funding lapse
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Saturday that America's 1.3 million military service members will get paid on Oct. 15 despite a congressional budget lapse that led...
$4.5B awarded in new contracts to build Smart Wall along southwest border
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Roughly $4.5 billion in contracts have been awarded to expand border wall construction, including adding advanced technological surveillance along the southwest border. Ten new construction...
Do No Harm expects FTC to take action to protect minors from transgender procedures
By Tate MillerThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – After submitting comments to the Federal Trade Commission's public inquiry on how the child transgender industry has harmed and deceived...
2024 was deadliest year for journalists on record
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Last year was the deadliest year for journalists on record, with the Gaza Strip being the deadliest location, according to multiple reports. Totals vary depending...
Govt shutdown raises concerns over national security
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As partisan divides appear to deepen and prolong the partial government shutdown, bipartisan lawmakers said they are concerned about national security effects of the funding...
Ex-speaker Madigan to begin 7.5-year prison sentence Monday
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One day before the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session is scheduled to begin, one of the...
Will County’s Gas-to-Energy Plant Reports Nearly $460,000 Net Loss Amid Operational Setbacks
Will County Finance Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: Will County's Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) plant at the county landfill posted a net loss of nearly $460,000 for the...
Will County to Draft First-Ever Policy on Artificial Intelligence Use
Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board's Capital Improvements & IT Committee has initiated the process of drafting a comprehensive...
Will County Sees 50% Drop in Opioid Deaths, But Alarming Rise in Suicides
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: Will County is experiencing a dramatic 50% reduction in opioid overdose deaths compared to last year, a...