
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 7th, 2025
August 7, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop continues his coverage on the ongoing debate around redistricting congressional districts with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s latest comments and reaction from Republican state Rep. Ryan Spain.
Watch the full program below. 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.
Latest News Stories

Manhattan Township to Fight State Consolidation Bills, Citing Threat to Local Services
The Manhattan Township Board is mounting a formal opposition to a series of state bills that officials believe threaten the existence of township governments across Illinois. During their monthly meeting...

Massive Battery Storage Facility Proposed in Manhattan Township, Could Be “Largest in Illinois”
A proposal for a 15-acre battery storage facility that could be the "largest substation in Illinois" is under consideration in Manhattan Township, a project that could reshape a portion of...

Proposed Bruns Road Rodeo Sparks Concerns Over Safety, Zoning, and Past Violations
A proposal to host a large, multi-weekend rodeo on Bruns Road has raised numerous red flags for the Manhattan Township Board, which cited concerns ranging from public safety and zoning...

Soltage Solar Farm Clears County Committee; Township Eyes Aesthetic Improvements
The proposed Soltage Solar Farm has passed a key hurdle, gaining approval from the Will County Land Use Committee in a 5-1 vote, Manhattan Township Supervisor James 'Jim' Walsh reported...

Meeting Briefs: Manhattan Township for March 11, 2025
Dial-A-Ride Service to be Absorbed by County: The Southwest Dial-A-Ride service is being absorbed by the larger Will County Dial-A-Ride service, which is offered through PACE. Township officials expressed hope that...

Manhattan Police Reports
Disclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely an accusation, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. On March 5, officers stopped Leal Acosta, Julio C (25)...

Manhattan Fire District Advances New Station Construction, Approves $210,000 Ambulance Replacement
The Manhattan Fire Protection District is moving closer to breaking ground on its new fire station, with construction documents expected to be complete next month and a potential groundbreaking scheduled...

Former Peotone Firefighter Mike Shivers Recommended for Fire District Board Position
The Manhattan Fire Protection District board unanimously recommended Mike Shivers to fill a vacant trustee position left by the recent death of Trustee Bill Osborne. Shivers, a former Peotone Fire...

Fire District February 17 Meeting Briefs
New Commissioner Sworn In: Attorney John Motylinski administered the oath of office to Commissioner Anton "Tony" Brncich, who was appointed by the Board of Trustees in December. Brncich officially began...

Manhattan Police Reports
Disclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely an accusation, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. On January 27, officers stopped Marshbanks, Turquoise E (42)...

Manhattan Township Bridge Project Saved After County Commissioner Intervenes with Forest Preserve
A critical bridge replacement project in Manhattan Township, jeopardized by a stalemate with the Will County Forest Preserve District and the potential loss of $500,000 in funding, has been saved...

Soltage Solar Farm Clears Township Hurdle with Detailed Landscaping Plan
A proposed solar farm by Soltage Renewable Energy has cleared a key local hurdle after its representative presented a detailed landscaping and aesthetics plan that satisfied the Manhattan Township Board....

Solar Developer Commits Up to $800,000 for Smith Road Improvements
Summit Ridge Energy, a solar farm developer, has committed to providing up to $800,000 for the engineering and construction of improvements along Smith Road, Manhattan Township officials announced Tuesday. The...