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
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago mayor, delegation meet pope
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says joining the city’s faith community and Pope Leo XIV for multi-faith prayer...
USDA plan rallies around American cotton farmers
By Alan WootenThe Center Square America lost its top rank for cotton production in the middle of the last century, its mark as the top exporter to Brazil three years...
Manhattan Board Approves Federal Grant Plan and Teacher Evaluation Agreement
Manhattan School District 114 Meeting | May 13, 2026 Article Summary: The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education on Tuesday, May 13, 2026, approved its 2026-2027 Consolidated District Plan...
WATCH: Experts say increased spending doesn’t mean better students
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Spending more taxpayer dollars doesn't make kids smarter, according to experts. As K-12 test scores and student proficiency rates continue to decline nationwide, education experts...
‘Taxpayers deserve to know’: Experts applaud Trump’s drug price transparency expansion
By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Patients' rights groups are praising President Donald Trump’s announcement of drug price transparency expansion as the first step toward price transparency in healthcare, stating that...
Tourism spending, Springfield investment bill considered as budget deadline nears
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Multiple proposals that could increase funding targeted at increasing tourism in Illinois are under consideration for the...
DOJ sues four states over denial of undercover license plates to federal agents
By Andrew PaxtonThe Center Square The Department of Justice filed separate federal lawsuits Wednesday against Washington, Oregon, Maine and Massachusetts, escalating a clash between the Trump administration and Democratic-led states...
Constitutional questions raised over digital age verification bill
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Constitutional concerns surround state legislation aimed at verifying the age of internet and social media users. Illinois...
DHS threatens to halt customs processing at airports in sanctuary cities
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Major airports across the country could soon freeze customs processing and cancel all international flights if sanctuary cities continue bucking federal immigration enforcement operations. Department...
Illinois Quick Hits: CTE bill goes to House after clearing Senate
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate has passed legislation allowing high school students to take Career Technical Education classes as...
Debt confidence hits two-year low amid affordability concerns
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans' confidence in the nation's finances fell to a two-year low in May as the national debt again surpassed the size of the U.S. economy,...
Candidates debate healthcare for Nevada primary
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Editor's note: This is part of a series previewing the congressional and statewide races in the Nevada primary election, set for June 9. The election...
ExxonMobil shareholders approve plan to redomicile to Texas
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square ExxonMobil shareholders on Wednesday approved the board of directors’ plan to redomicile the company's legal headquarters to Texas. Shareholders also rejected a proposal made by...
