WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 14th, 2025
August 14, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from Governor’s Day at the Illinois State Fair where Democrats rallied the party faithful. There were also questions about congressional maps and energy prices.
Bishop also shares moments from a ceremony at the Illinois State Fair where nearly 400 individuals for more than 70 countries took an oath to become naturalized U.S. Citizens and delves into some of the debate about immigration reform.
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
Proposed State Legislation Sparks Debate Over Will County Veterans Assistance Commission Budget Control
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: State legislation aimed at granting county boards ultimate approval power over Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) budgets sparked debate...
Chicago suit vs oil cos. may yet survive SCOTUS ruling, judge hints
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Even as the Supreme Court considers a Colorado case that oil companies believe will decide if city and state governments can sue...
Two of ComEd Four released. new trial pending
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A U.S. appellate court has ordered two defendants in the ComEd Four case to be released pending...
GOP candidate Bailey urges Trump to apologize to pope; bishop calls for dialogue
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After President Donald Trump refused to apologize for his social media criticism of Pope Leo XIV, a...
Senator says taxpayers fleeced by corrections department
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Corrections is facing questions over its failure to comply with state law while...
Illinois Quick Hits: CTU-backed senator launches ‘tax the rich’ campaign
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois legislator backed by the Chicago Teachers Union is renewing her call to tax the rich...
Lawmaker slams Illinois tuition bill favoring illegal immigrants
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, is raising concerns about a proposal he says would expand access...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee for April 7, 2026
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 The Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, moving forward a...
Illinois Quick Hits: $3M in taxpayer funds go to Chicago neighborhood center
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers have provided $3 million for a new neighborhood center on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Gov. J.B....
Veterans Assistance Commission Buildout Complete, Body Scanner Installed at Juvenile Center
Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Facilities Department announced the successful completion of the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) building...
Temu, Shein hit with class actions demanding tariff refunds
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Online Chinese discount marketplace giants Temu and Shein have each been hit with nationwide class action lawsuits, demanding they repay customers for...
Illinois has most government units, but consolidation brings challenges
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report says Illinois is among the most fragmented states in the nation when it comes...
Illinois quick hits: Southwest to lay off 107 as O’Hare service ends
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Southwest to lay off 107 as O'Hare service ends According to an Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice, 107...
State House passes 133 bills, many potential impacts for Illinoisans
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois House of Representatives passed a total of 133 bills last week, sending them to the...
Forest Preserve District Advances Major Extensions and Repairs on Plum Creek Greenway Trail in Crete Township
Article Summary: The Forest Preserve District is currently undertaking dual construction projects on the Plum Creek Greenway Trail, initiating a massive 1.5-mile southern extension through Plum Valley Preserve and commencing...