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 17
72° 55°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
California attorney general sues over alleged FERPA violation
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit this week against the U.S. Department of Education, disputing its claim that the California Department of Education...
California attorney general, Homeland Security debate mask ban
By Dave MasonThe Center Square If ultimately upheld in court, California’s ban on masks for federal immigration officers will be enforced by all law enforcement agencies despite doubts by the...
TVA to keep two coal-fired power plants operating indefinitely
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square Two coal-fired power plants in Tennessee that had been scheduled for closure in 2026 and 2028 will be kept open for the “foreseeable future” after...
Lawmakers probe nationwide child care fraud
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A bipartisan group of senators probed allegations of fraud in the child care industry on Thursday. The lawmakers called for greater transparency and more rigorous...
Cornyn files Defeat Sharia Law in America Act, another Texas-led effort
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has filed a bill to ban Sharia law in the U.S., another act in a Texas-led effort addressing Islamic ideology....
WATCH: Attorney cites positive impact of corruption trials 1 year after Madigan conviction
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One year after a federal jury convicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan of bribery, conspiracy, wire...
Illinois Quick Hits: $10M scheme alleged in heath care fraud case
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Two Pakistani nationals have been charged in Chicago with participating in a $10-million scheme to fraudulently bill...
WATCH: Trump terminates Obama-era climate change policy
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration on Thursday terminated the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Endangerment Finding,” a landmark policy that led to sweeping climate change regulations and higher costs...
Democrats tank DHS bill again, likely triggering partial govt shutdown
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Democrats in the U.S. Senate tanked the Homeland Security full-year funding bill in a last-ditch vote Thursday, all but guaranteeing a partial government shutdown starting...
GOP governor candidate Heidner wants Illinois to ‘make,’ not ‘take’
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One of the four Republicans vying for the party’s nomination to take on Gov. J.B. Pritzker says...
WATCH: WA to distribute its store of abortion pills to clinics, possibly nationwide
By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Washington Senators have passed a bill that would allow the state to distribute millions of abortion pills, it purchased after the U.S. Supreme Court decision...
Texas now leading in border security in the Arctic
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas is again leading on border security, this time in the Arctic. New icebreakers are being built for the U.S. Coast Guard in Galveston and...
Federal debt expected to climb, but how much debt can U.S. carry?
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The latest projections show U.S. debt will continue to grow over the next decade, hitting 120% of gross domestic product by 2036, raising questions about...
