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
Major Grade Separation Projects Advance with Engineering Contracts
The committee approved two significant engineering agreements for major railroad overpass projects totaling over $4 million. TranSystems Corporation received a $4,003,256 contract for construction engineering services on the Lorenzo Road...
Kelly Gibbons Named Chairperson of Manhattan Planning and Zoning Commission
The Manhattan Village Board appointed Kelly Gibbons as chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Commission for a two-year term running through May 1, 2027. Gibbons, who already serves as a...
County Authorizes Condemnation for Francis Road Project
The committee authorized the State's Attorney's Office to proceed with condemnation cases for right-of-way acquisition needed for Francis Road improvements between Gougar Road and Interstate 80. Eight property parcels are...
Solar Farm Access Approved for Manhattan-Arsenal Road
The committee granted access approval for a solar farm development on Manhattan-Arsenal Road approximately 1,000 feet east of Cherry Hill Road. The MCH Solar 1 project, developed by Soltage LLC,...
Will County Finance Committee Meeting Briefs
Budget Transfers Approved: The Finance Committee approved transferring $18,643 within the Supervisor of Assessments budget to move funds from software licensing to computer hardware purchases. Animal Protection Services Funding: Committee...
Public Works Committee Briefs
Major Projects Update: Construction continues on several major projects including the 80th Avenue expressway overpass, Laraway Road widening near Cedar Road, and Bell Road improvements. The Bell Road project at...
Capital Improvements & IT Committee Briefs
Bed donation program: Will County donated old beds from Sunny Hill Nursing Home to Joliet Junior College and Project Cure after the nursing home received all new beds for residents....
Manhattan Village Board Briefs
Banks Farm Development: The village board approved six separate resolutions demanding payment on letters of credit for various phases of the Banks Farm Development Villas of Prairie Trails project, covering...
Frankfort Board Approves New Wendy’s on Route 30 With Numerous Modifications
A new Wendy's restaurant is set to be built at the northwest corner of U.S. Route 30 and Frankfort Square Road after the Frankfort Village Board unanimously approved the project...
Historic Downtown Frankfort Property Granted Deck and Patio Variances
The owners of a historic mixed-use building in downtown Frankfort have received approval for six zoning variances to construct a new paver patio and a second-floor rear deck. The Frankfort...
Manhattan School Board Approves Staff Changes, Healthcare Extension in Special Session
Manhattan School District 114's Board of Education approved several personnel changes and a healthcare extension during a special meeting Monday evening, conducting most of its business in closed session. The...
Frankfort Approves $1.3 Million in Bills, Including Annual Insurance Payment
The Frankfort Village Board authorized over $1.3 million in payments at its meeting Monday, with nearly half of the total amount covering the village's annual insurance premiums. Trustees unanimously approved...
School District 114 June 2 Meeting Briefs
Staff Departures: Manhattan School District 114 accepted the resignations of Emily Corcoran and Caroline Pesa-Miller, both effective at the end of the 2025 school year. The board approved both resignations...
