WATCH: Chicago braces for federal law enforcement; Dabrowski on public safety, education
September 2, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop gets to the latest from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker about the prospect of increased federal immigration enforcement and the possible use of the National Guard.
Bishop also talks with Ted Dabrowski, a potential Republican gubernatorial candidate, about how the state of Illinois should be interacting with the Trump administration toward enhanced public safety and federal immigration enforcement. The two also discuss Illinois education funding and outcomes.
Watch the full program below. 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 Jul 23
78° 61°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Latest News Stories
Illinois to see 4 new consumer protection laws enacted
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker was joined by state lawmakers and other officials Thursday to sign a four-bill...
Illinois SNAP error rate rises; Pritzker blames Trump
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois now has the fifth-highest error rate in the nation for improper payments to recipients of federal...
Chicago video gambling hearing abruptly ends in debate, disarray
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A public meeting Wednesday on the state of legal gambling in Chicago was brought to an abrupt...
Illinois Quick Hits: Court rules against parents in East St. Louis busing case
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Supreme Court has reversed an appellate court’s ruling in a case involving state requirements of...
DHS secretary blasts Illinois correctional centers
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is calling out state correctional facilities after he faced questions from...
Chicago’s potential ‘teen takeover’ solutions cost taxpayers
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the trend sometimes referred to as “teen takeovers” continues to trouble the city of Chicago, government...
Illinois Quick Hits: Opioid overdose deaths decline in Cook County
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square0 – Opioid overdose deaths are down for the third straight year in Chicago and suburban Cook County. According...
Teachers unions call for special session, more money
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union and the Illinois Federation of Teachers are calling for a special session of...
Illinois Quick Hits: Bond, TIF money helps fund Chicago neighborhood grants
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced $42.5 million in grant support for 56 neighborhood development projects. A...
Pritzker approves law sealing reproductive medical records past state lines
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Four years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the right to abortion nationwide, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker...
Illinois wheat harvest looks good despite storms
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Most Illinois wheat escaped damage from severe storms across the state, but recent rainfall could affect crops...
Illinois Quick Hits: $50.8M in cannabis tax-funded grants awarded
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has announced $50.8 million in Restore, Reinvest and Renew grants. The...
New gun rules may be needed in IL after SCOTUS marijuana gun rights ruling
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled occasional and "habitual" marijuana use alone cannot be used by governments as a reason to deny...
