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 Jul 27
82° 60°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Tax tribunal to remain funded
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square T(The Center Square) – An independent tribunal created to resolve taxpayer disputes with the Illinois Department of Revenue is expected to...
Illinois Quick Hits: Surveys continue after tornadoes, severe weather
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Survey teams have been assessing storm damage after severe weather impacted parts of Illinois and surrounding states...
Trump floats USMCA exit; Midwest motorists, refineries could see hardship
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump signaled he doesn’t intend to renew a trade agreement with Mexico and Canada, which...
Presidential poll numbers show Pritzker at 2%
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new public opinion poll says Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker remains low on the list of voters’...
Illinois Quick Hits: Tornadoes, storms cause damage, outages
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The National Weather Service will be conducting storm surveys in the wake of severe storms that impacted...
Cook County offers loans after latest tax bill delays
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The latest delay in property tax billing by Cook County is expected to cost local governments. Cook...
Illinois Quick Hits: Storms cause damage, closures
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Severe storms on Wednesday caused damage in many areas around Illinois, including the state fairgrounds in Springfield....
Extension of pension buyout program to drop $144B liability
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation extending a program that allows retiring state employees to be paid...
Schools face bus funding, cost challenges
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Public schools are facing bus transportation challenges due to higher costs and a shortage of drivers. State...
‘Family Month’ backer cites biology, declining birth rates in defense of resolution
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Family Institute Executive Director David Smith is praising a proposal from U.S. Rep. Mary Miller...
Aldermen say lawmakers failed to address illegal cannabis sales near schools
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the Chicago City Council’s public safety committee moved forward with an ordinance that would increase penalties...
Illinois Quick Hits: Oak Park woman charged with child care fraud
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Oak Park woman is charged with defrauding the state of Illinois out of more than $30,000...
Florida attorney general appeals Chicago judge’s ‘lawless’ transgender ruling
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Saying a Chicago federal judge overstepped his constitutional authority, Florida's state attorney general has asked a federal appeals court to quickly reverse...
