WATCH: Gun ban cases and the Supreme Court; English and CDLs; Don Tracy eyes Senate

WATCH: Gun ban cases and the Supreme Court; English and CDLs; Don Tracy eyes Senate

November 21, 2025/
Spread the love

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop discusses the status of various challenges to gun bans from Illinois, including a challenge to Cook County’s ban being sent to a U.S. Supreme Court conference for Dec. 5. The Barnett case, where a district judge ruled against the law on the merits after developing a substantial record from a four day bench trial, remains in the appeals court after a hearing nearly two months ago.

Bishop also talks live with Illinois state Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, about legislation he’s filed to do away with Illinois policy that grants standard drivers licenses to noncitizens. Niemerg also reacts to numbers provided to The Center Square from Illinois State Police showing the numbers of English Language Proficiency exam failures for Commercial Drivers License holders.

Finally, Bishop shares a conversation with one of the Republican candidates running for the open U.S. Senate seat. Don Tracy shares his thoughts about the crowded primary field, his opposition to Democrat political philosophies and the impact of the recent federal government shutdown.

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.

Community Events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Former Los Angeles schools chief runs against city's mayor

Former Los Angeles schools chief runs against city’s mayor

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Andrew Beutner, former superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, announced Monday he’s running against Mayor Karen Bass. Beutner, 65, launched his campaign during...
Illinois quick hits: WARN report layoffs total 1,689; Powerball winners in Rochelle and Colona

Illinois quick hits: WARN report layoffs total 1,689; Powerball winners in Rochelle and Colona

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square WARN report layoffs total 1,689 According to the latest Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notice, 1,689 employees across...
No ethics reform in sight as ex-speaker’s scheduled prison term begins

No ethics reform in sight as ex-speaker’s scheduled prison term begins

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As his predecessor’s scheduled 7.5-year prison term for public corruption begins, the speaker of the Illinois House...
Trump losing ground on economy, poll finds

Trump losing ground on economy, poll finds

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Donald Trump rode a poor economy back to the White House during his 2024 campaign, but seven months into his second term, most voters aren't...
Major tech company to cut H-1B visas amid Trump pressure, fee

Major tech company to cut H-1B visas amid Trump pressure, fee

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Tata Consultancy Services, a large employer of H-1B visa holders in the United States, will stop using the program due to new fees from the...
US, India to hold new round of trade talks, with focus on energy

US, India to hold new round of trade talks, with focus on energy

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square India and the United States will resume trade talks this week in Washington, with the Trump administration seeking increased purchases of U.S. oil and gas...
Johnson: Republicans 'have plans' to 'fix' Obamacare

Johnson: Republicans ‘have plans’ to ‘fix’ Obamacare

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the ongoing government shutdown enters its third week, Republican leaders are reminding Democrats that by blocking the House-passed funding bill, they are also delaying...
Illinois House Speaker: 'Mr. Trump, tear down this fence!'

Illinois House Speaker: ‘Mr. Trump, tear down this fence!’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The speaker of the Illinois House has compared a fence outside U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in...
Energy cost concerns loom as legislators look at policy changes

Energy cost concerns loom as legislators look at policy changes

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois legislators are set to begin the fall veto session Tuesday with some worried electric rate increases...
PJM exit: A price solution or power move?

PJM exit: A price solution or power move?

By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Surging electricity demand, an aging grid, and generation sources retiring faster than new ones can be...
Broadview, Illinois reduces ICE protest zone after ‘chaos,’ 15 arrests

Broadview, Illinois reduces ICE protest zone after ‘chaos,’ 15 arrests

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The village of Broadview, Illinois is reducing the area where protesters can stage near the Immigration and...
Illinois’ ‘F’ grade leaves taxpayers on the hook for billions, watchdog says

Illinois’ ‘F’ grade leaves taxpayers on the hook for billions, watchdog says

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Budget gimmicks, pension debt and late financial reports are leaving Illinois taxpayers in the dark, according...
Illinois quick hits: Chicago Jewish Alliance on peace developments; Blue Ribbon Schools announced

Illinois quick hits: Chicago Jewish Alliance on peace developments; Blue Ribbon Schools announced

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chicago Jewish Alliance on peace developments The Chicago Jewish Alliance has offered a response to the release of 20 hostages held...
WATCH: Trump’s emergency Guard appeal denied; Fiscal Fallout reviews state salaries

WATCH: Trump’s emergency Guard appeal denied; Fiscal Fallout reviews state salaries

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 gets to the...
Reforms prompt big money appeals in IL biometrics cases

Reforms prompt big money appeals in IL biometrics cases

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Even as reforms seem to have edged down the number of biometric privacy lawsuits targeted at businesses in Illinois, appeals courts are...