WATCH: Pritzker reacts to Trump’s address; Immigration enforcement continues
December 18, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from Wednesday evening primetime address to the nation from President Donald Trump and Gov. J.B. Pritzker‘s reaction.
Bishop also jumps into the latest 24 hours of continued immigration enforcement in the Chicagoland area, including an interaction between immigration enforcement official Gregory Bovino and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss. This comes as the Illinois Accountability Commission prepares to meet today to provide an avenue for people to provide testimony about the impacts immigration enforcement.
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 5
86° 65°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Trump confirms Makary out at FDA
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday that Marty Makary would be leaving his post atop the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. While speaking to reporters...
Trump to ‘be thinking’ about red line in Iran ceasefire
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump said he will "be thinking" about a potential red line in the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran as he departed to...
Detroit border agents seize greatest volume of drugs at northern border
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Over the past seven years, Border Patrol agents working in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Detroit Sector have seized the greatest volume of drugs...
WATCH: Ex-rep sues Pritzker, Illinois over race-based congressional map
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ congressional district map is being challenged over what some argue are unconstitutional racial requirements for districts....
Lawmakers tussle over impacts of ‘equitable’ school funding in Illinois
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The evidence-based funding formula for public schools in Illinois, signed into law in 2017, was under the...
Illinois Quick Hits: $42.6M UIS student library on schedule
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Capital Development Board says a $42.6 million state taxpayer-funded library project is on schedule at...
An ‘arms race’ for pay at elite, tax-exempt colleges
By Jared StrongThe Center Square Top private nonprofit universities that receive government funding pay some of their top leaders millions of dollars and one even received a $20 million longevity...
Inflation rises to 3.8%, driven by energy prices
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Inflation increased 0.6% in April, with an overall rate of 3.8% over the last 12 months, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of...
New congressional map expected for Alabama in wake of high court ruling
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Alabama could soon have a congressional map in place that would offer the chance for a Republican gain of seat in the U.S. House of...
Manhattan District 114 Explores Joint Community Survey for Fall Strategic Plan
Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education Meeting | April 29, 2026 Article Summary: The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education is considering partnering with the Village of Manhattan...
State Legislative Update: Housing Mandates, Mega Projects, and Data Centers Prompt Local Control Concerns
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryState lobbyists from Mac Strategies briefed the Will County Board Legislative Committee on the final push of the spring...
Data center regs proposed as $20 billion, 795-acre Joliet project advances
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Opponents of a planned $20 billion data center project in Joliet say big tech money arrived before...
Labor stats offer mixed bag for Illinois
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Trump administration says the United States saw smashing job growth in April, but Illinois’ story is...
