WATCH: Sanctuary bill soon law; Use of force case proceeds; CTU audits due Mon
December 2, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop airs concerns a Republican state legislator has over a bill pending Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature to expand the state’s migrant sanctuary policies.
Bishop also reviews some of the status around the federal court challenge against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s use of force in enforcing federal immigration law.
Finally, Bishop shares a story from The Center Square’s Jim Talamonti about the Chicago Teachers Union’s response to a U.S. House committee requesting the union hand over financial audits since 2020. Separately, some union members are suing in court to force the union to release the files.
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
MondayDecember 8, 2025
TuesdayDecember 9, 2025
WednesdayDecember 10, 2025
ThursdayDecember 11, 2025
FridayDecember 12, 2025
SaturdayDecember 13, 2025
MondayDecember 15, 2025
TuesdayDecember 16, 2025
Latest News Stories
Manhattan Township Halts Electric Aggregation Program, Citing Poor Pricing
Residents in unincorporated Manhattan Township will no longer be enrolled in a group electricity purchasing plan after the Township Board voted unanimously not to renew its electric aggregation contract. The...
Meeting Briefs: Manhattan Township for April 8, 2025
Assessor’s Office to Replace Server, Receives New Tax Multiplier: Assessor Joe Oldani reported that the township’s server is not compliant with current security methods and must be replaced by the end...
Fire District Receives Clean Audit, Adds 9 New Firefighters Despite Staff Departures
The Manhattan Fire Protection District received a clean audit report for fiscal year 2023 while addressing staffing challenges with nine new part-time firefighters set to join the department at the...
Construction Manager Decision Delayed for New Fire Station Project
The Manhattan Fire Protection District has postponed a decision on hiring a construction management company for its new fire station project while fee structures are finalized. Board members met with...
Manhattan Fire District March 17 Meeting Briefs
Vehicle Updates Progressing: The new Tahoe ordered last year has arrived but will require several months before entering service. The ambulance damaged in December's crash is currently at the body...
Manhattan Township to Fight State Consolidation Bills, Citing Threat to Local Services
The Manhattan Township Board is mounting a formal opposition to a series of state bills that officials believe threaten the existence of township governments across Illinois. During their monthly meeting...
Massive Battery Storage Facility Proposed in Manhattan Township, Could Be “Largest in Illinois”
A proposal for a 15-acre battery storage facility that could be the "largest substation in Illinois" is under consideration in Manhattan Township, a project that could reshape a portion of...
Proposed Bruns Road Rodeo Sparks Concerns Over Safety, Zoning, and Past Violations
A proposal to host a large, multi-weekend rodeo on Bruns Road has raised numerous red flags for the Manhattan Township Board, which cited concerns ranging from public safety and zoning...
Soltage Solar Farm Clears County Committee; Township Eyes Aesthetic Improvements
The proposed Soltage Solar Farm has passed a key hurdle, gaining approval from the Will County Land Use Committee in a 5-1 vote, Manhattan Township Supervisor James 'Jim' Walsh reported...
Meeting Briefs: Manhattan Township for March 11, 2025
Dial-A-Ride Service to be Absorbed by County: The Southwest Dial-A-Ride service is being absorbed by the larger Will County Dial-A-Ride service, which is offered through PACE. Township officials expressed hope that...
Manhattan Police Reports
Disclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely an accusation, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. On March 5, officers stopped Leal Acosta, Julio C (25)...
Manhattan Fire District Advances New Station Construction, Approves $210,000 Ambulance Replacement
The Manhattan Fire Protection District is moving closer to breaking ground on its new fire station, with construction documents expected to be complete next month and a potential groundbreaking scheduled...
Former Peotone Firefighter Mike Shivers Recommended for Fire District Board Position
The Manhattan Fire Protection District board unanimously recommended Mike Shivers to fill a vacant trustee position left by the recent death of Trustee Bill Osborne. Shivers, a former Peotone Fire...
