WATCH: Commission makes ICE accountability referral; Rep says Pritzker wrong on prices
December 19, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop provides moments and reaction from and around the first Illinois Accountability Commission hearing. Appointees of Gov. J.B. Pritzker heard testimony and public comment about the impact of federal immigration enforcement in a state with migrant sanctuary policies.
Bishop also shares more perspective from legislators on both sides of the aisle about prices and the policies that drive them, and the cost of energy with Illinois lawmakers discussing policies around planned coal and natural gas plant closures and the focus on alternatives like battery storage.
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
Illinois in focus: DHS announces new facility; NFIB urges veto of regulations; minority scholarship lawsuit moves forward
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DHS announces new facility U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has returned to Illinois to discuss expanding detention facilities for what...
Abbott to call ‘special session after special session’ in response to AWOL Dems
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed what many in Austin speculated: he will call special session after special session until bills are passed. Abbott called the current...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 8th, 2025
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop covers the latest...
Legislator urges leaders to focus on relief for Illinois’ high property taxes
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With Illinois now being home to the highest property tax rates in the country, state Rep....
Meeting Summary: Manhattan Village Board for August 5, 2025
The Manhattan Village Board approved a major road resurfacing contract, implemented a local grocery tax to replace state funds, and hired a new full-time accountant during its meeting on Tuesday,...
Texas House, Illinois state senator sue 33 AWOL Democrats in Illinois court
By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Texas House of Representatives has sued 33 House Democrats who absconded to Illinois to prevent...
WATCH: Democrat state redistricting efforts created unfair advantages, lawmaker says
By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While Democratic lawmakers from California to New York have threatened to redistrict in response to Texas'...
Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Fatal helicopter crash Two people are dead after a helicopter crashed into a barge on the Mississippi River. The Federal Aviation...
Village Board Approves Comprehensive Update to Employee Personnel Manual
MANHATTAN – The Village of Manhattan has updated its employee personnel manual for the first time since 2018, adopting a series of amendments to formalize policies and reflect current practices....
New poll: 50.2% of Illinois voters view Pritzker unfavorably
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new poll shows that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s approval rating has flipped negative for the first time....
WATCH: Pritzker welcomes FBI looking for TX Dems in IL, dismisses bribery question
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the FBI gets involved in locating Texas Democrats hiding out in states like Illinois, Gov. J.B....
Manhattan Awards $537,907 Contract for Hanover Estates Road Resurfacing
MANHATTAN – The Village of Manhattan has awarded a $537,907.85 contract to D. Construction, Inc. of Coal City for its Fiscal Year 2026 Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) resurfacing project, which...
WATCH: Illinois State Fair: Affordable fun backed by $140M in taxpayer funding
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The 2025 Illinois State Fair is being praised for its affordability and accessibility to families across...
