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
80° 60°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Hegseth calls allied defense ‘bad deal for taxpayers’ in budget push
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Pentagon wants the largest nominal military budget in American history despite failing eight consecutive financial audits and continuing to face longstanding financial management challenges....
Pritzker touts state spending to cover federal cuts in passed budget
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Just hours after the state’s General Assembly wrapped its spring session, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker appeared along...
I-95 quintuple fatal: Federal agency subpoenas state of New York
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Failure to willingly cooperate by the state of New York has led to a subpoena for documents related to Jing Dong. The U.S Department of...
Illinois lawmakers give raises to diversity commissioners they criticized
By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- State lawmakers failed to reform the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion this legislative session despite bipartisan...
Report: Credit card debt projected to decrease $61B
By Christine JohnsonThe Center Square It is predicted that there will be a $61 billion decrease in credit card debt based on new data set to be released on Friday...
Taxpayer risk cited after Bears stadium bill stalls
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Bears stadium legislation is stalled after questions arose about a potentially unpopular tax structure and financial...
Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly approves CTE bill
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bill offering career technical education classes as an alternative to Illinois’ foreign language mandate is headed...
Amended scooter, e-bike bill heads to governor
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has passed a bill to regulate e-bikes, scooters and other micromobility devices, but...
Property tax-free Bears deal fails to pass
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois legislative session has ended with no stadium deal for the Chicago Bears. House Bill 958...
Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student’s alleged killer charged with new felony
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Late Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman’s alleged killer has been charged with possessing a 6-inch shank in...
$55.9 billion budget includes new taxes, ‘no property tax relief’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has voted to approve a record-high budget for fiscal year 2027, with new...
Illinois to require bell-to-bell student phone ban in public schools
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Legislation to ban the use of cell phones by students from bell-to-bell officially passed both chambers in...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan School District 114 for May 13, 2026
Manhattan School District 114 Meeting | May 13, 2026 The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education met Tuesday, May 13, 2026, for a regular meeting that opened with extensive...
