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.
Community Events
ThursdayDecember 11, 2025
FridayDecember 12, 2025
SaturdayDecember 13, 2025
MondayDecember 15, 2025
TuesdayDecember 16, 2025
WednesdayDecember 17, 2025
ThursdayDecember 18, 2025
FridayDecember 19, 2025
SaturdayDecember 20, 2025
Latest News Stories
Will County Health Department Faces Funding Uncertainty as Federal Grants Under Review
Multiple revenue sources threatened as department seeks legislative support for public health programs Will County Health Department officials are closely monitoring potential federal funding cuts that could impact multiple programs...
Will County Land Use Meeting Briefs
LAND USE ACTIONS Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules Modified: The committee recommended approval of text amendments allowing accessory dwelling units to exceed current building area limitations in certain circumstances. The changes...
Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting Briefs
Sunny Hill Nursing Home Tour Praised: Committee members who attended the May 9 tour of Sunny Hill Nursing Home praised the facility's condition and operations. Member Raquel Mitchell called it...
Federal Reconciliation Bill Targets Medicaid, SNAP Programs
Will County Legislators Briefed on Potential Local Impacts Federal legislation making sweeping cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs could significantly impact Will County residents and services, county legislators learned...
Manhattan Celebrates 100-Year Resident Ruth Munt at Village Board Meeting
Manhattan resident Ruth Munt received a special 100th birthday celebration at Tuesday's Village Board meeting, sharing her remarkable perspective on seven decades of community growth. Munt, who moved to Manhattan...
Will County Approves Modified $756 Million Transportation Plan Despite Terminology Debate
Will County's Public Works and Transportation Committee approved a five-year, $756 million transportation improvement plan on June 3, but not before a heated debate over whether to call it a...
Will County completes major projects while others move forward
Will County's facilities team has completed several major projects while advancing others throughout the county, officials reported during a Capital Improvements & IT Committee meeting Monday. The Old Courthouse Plaza...
Eastern Avenue Road Project Moves Forward with Binder Installation, Final Phase Bidding Set
Manhattan's Eastern Avenue reconstruction project will take another step forward this month as contractors prepare to install temporary road binder, while the village prepares to accept bids for the final...
Will County Accepts $140,000 Developer Donation for Road Improvements
Will County's Public Works and Transportation Committee accepted a $140,143.90 donation from a developer in lieu of constructing traffic improvements along Laraway Road. The donation comes from the Lakes Park...
State Legislative Session Wrap-Up Shows Mixed Results
Will County's state legislative priorities saw mixed results as the Illinois General Assembly concluded its spring session on May 31, with several key bills advancing while others stalled. The Legislative...
Will County expands safety initiatives across facilities
Will County has implemented new safety protocols and training programs across its facilities, including the selection of department safety monitors and participation in community health education events. Each county department...
Leglislative Committee Meeting Briefs
Federal Grant Deadline Extended: The Surface Transportation Reauthorization deadline has been extended to May 30 for policy submissions, with both House and Senate committees actively seeking stakeholder input ahead of...
Village Releases $2.8 Million Letter of Credit for Completed Stonegate Subdivision
The Manhattan Village Board approved the release of a nearly $2.9 million letter of credit for the Stonegate subdivision after village engineers confirmed all required public improvements have been completed....
Speed Limits Reduced on Two Township Roads
The committee approved new speed zones for two township roads based on engineering studies showing current limits exceed safe driving speeds. Offner Road in Green Garden Township will have a...
Will County Finance Committee Approves Juvenile Detention Center Upgrades
Committee votes to keep facility operational, moves forward with compliance modifications Will County Finance Committee members voted unanimously Monday to recommend keeping the River Valley Detention Center operational and making...