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 11
60°
Clear
Latest News Stories
Democrats call on Lutnick to resign over Epstein ties
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Democrats in Congress on Wednesday renewed calls for U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to resign after testifying about his ties to convicted sex offender...
Texas congressional delegation calls for federal investigation into H-1B visa fraud
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-TX, and her north Texas colleagues have called for a federal investigation into alleged H-1B visa fraud occurring in counties...
Foxx: Prosecutors’ ‘silence’ on murder exonerations doesn’t mean ‘innocent’
By Jonathan Bilyk | :era; NewslineThe Center Square Attorneys for one of two Mexican men who claim they were illegally coerced into confessing to helping murder a Chicago couple to...
Illinois Quick Hits: ISU union workers reach deal, return to work
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – More than 300 Illinois State University employees are back on the job after ratifying a new five-year...
Trump’s Iran objective moves from ‘surrender’ to nuclear deal
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square In seven weeks, President Donald Trump's stated objective toward Iran has shifted from "unconditional surrender" to a negotiated nuclear deal. The administration has not explained...
Democrats demand answers from Trump on consumer costs of Iran conflict
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the U.S. conflict in Iran stretching past the 67-day mark, a group of senior House Democrats are questioning whether the Trump administration has any...
Illinois Dems eye $7B from new tax proposals, push ‘Billionaire Wealth Tax’
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – New tax proposals being considered in Springfield could bring nearly $7 billion in revenue to the state,...
Plan would have state taxpayers provide $50M for ICE-impacted businesses
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate is considering legislation that would provide $50 million in state taxpayer funds to businesses...
Homan threatens crackdown if New York limits ICE cooperation
By Chris WadeThe Center Square President Donald Trump's immigration czar Tom Holman is renewing threats to "flood the zone" in New York if state lawmakers approve Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan...
Feds sue Colorado over ban on certain firearm magazines
By Derek DraplinThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Colorado for its ban on firearm magazines that hold more than 15 rounds. The...
Group calls for clear lines of authority after UVA member’s communications released
By Tate MillerThe Center Square An education defense group is calling for clear lines of authority to be codified after text messages between a University of Virginia faculty member and...
States pushing back on data center sales tax breaks as Wisconsin forgoes $1.5B
By Jon StyfThe Center Square While those supporting sales tax breaks for data center projects say they believe the breaks are necessary to compete for projects amongst the 38 states...
Midwest takes brunt of rising gas prices
By David Beasley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Midwestern states, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan in particular, were hit harder in the past week by...
