WATCH: $10M campaign finance fine dropped; Digital ID unveiled, Chicagoans speak up
November 19, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews actions taken by the Illinois State Board of Elections in regards to a nearly $10 million fine for campaign finance violations with Illinois Senate President Don Harmon’s campaign committee.
Bishop also shares recent public comments from residents of the city of Chicago about the city’s finances and immigration policies ahead of a new budget year with the prospect of a slew of tax increases to pay for a more than billion dollar budget deficit.
Finally, Bishop shares an announcement from the Illinois Secretary of State about the launch of digital ID for Apple devices.
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.
Today Jun 7
82° 70°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Frankfort Park District Updates Vehicle Policy on Take-Home Use
Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners Meeting | April 14, 2026 Article Summary: The Frankfort Park District Board on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, unanimously approved an addition to its vehicle...
Frankfort Approves $1.1 Million in Fleet Upgrades and Sewer Infrastructure Contracts
Frankfort Village Board Meeting | May 18, 2026 Article Summary:The Frankfort Village Board authorized more than $900,000 in public works fleet replacements, including a new Vactor truck and dump truck,...
Everyday Economics: History doesn’t repeat, but the Fed Is hearing an echo
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square Read this week's Fed minutes carefully and you'll hear 1970s.The Fed has stopped debating when to cut. Now it's debating whether to hold higher for...
Illinois DHS appointment sparks backlash over alleged voter registration mailer practices
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The appointment of Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Dulce Quintero is drawing renewed criticism from...
Arctic defense begins in Galveston after Memorial Day
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square As Texans celebrate Memorial Day weekend, 190 years of Texas independence and 250 years of American independence this year, they are also celebrating a new...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker urges megaprojects support for Bears
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says megaprojects legislation is shaping up in the Illinois Senate. A reporter asked the...
Frankfort School District 157-C Approves New Honors Criteria, Hires Student Services Director at April Meeting
Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education Meeting | April 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education on April 21, 2026, approved the hiring of...
Lincoln-Way 210 Backs Mokena Downtown TIF Extension to 2044
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education on Thursday, May 21, 2026, voted unanimously...
Frankfort Township Board Granted Authority to Sell Lighthouse Pointe Senior Housing Lots
Frankfort Township Annual Town Meeting | April 14, 2026 Article Summary: The Frankfort Township electorate, meeting at the April 14, 2026, Annual Town Meeting, voted to delegate to the Township...
Shooting outside White House leaves one dead, one injured
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Two people were shot, including the suspected gunman, in a shooting outside the White House Saturday night. The suspected gunman was shot and killed by...
Frankfort Park District Approves $449,000 in Contracts for Commissioners Park Overhaul
Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners Meeting | April 14, 2026 Article Summary: The Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, approved two professional-services contracts totaling...
Bill to let felons vote from prison draws criticism from Republicans
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Some Democrats and electoral rights groups want progress on legislation in Springfield that would give people in...
Supreme Court yet to decide high profile cases
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Birthright citizenship, transgender athletes in female sports and federal firing powers are among more than two dozen cases yet to be decided by the U.S....
Government spending on seniors’ benefits soon to make up majority of federal budget
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square More than half of the federal budget will go toward benefits for Americans 65 years and older by 2036, and that percentage is set to...
Frankfort Board Raises No Objection to Unincorporated 28-Lot Olive Oaks Subdivision
Frankfort Village Board Meeting | May 18, 2026 Article Summary:Frankfort trustees voted to raise no objection to a proposed 28-lot single-family residential development on 24.83 acres in unincorporated Frankfort Township,...