WATCH: Chicago reacts to Trump’s public safety push; AI in schools; rural health care
August 25, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop delves into the issue of President Donald Trump saying he will address public safety in cities like Chicago and the reaction from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Bishop talks live with Mark Hurley, a retired Air Force Colonel, about the use of artificial intelligence in schools with a new program called The Shepherd’s Code. They also discuss the president’s use of the National Guard for public safety.
Finally, Bishop gives both sides of the debate about recent federal legislation the president enacted to shore up waste, fraud and abuse in health care subsidies. Democrats say it will decimate rural hospitals. Vice President J.D. Vance says the focus is getting illegal aliens out of the country.
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.
Today Jun 4
82° 69°
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Tillis affirms support of Warsh ahead of Wednesday vote
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Kevin Warsh’s path to succeed Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has the support of U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, the North Carolina Republican said multiple times...
Jack Daniel’s maker faces foreign takeover push
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square The company that makes one of America’s most popular whiskey brands is receiving interest from both foreign and domestic buyers. Louisville-based Brown-Forman, which makes Jack...
Pritzker pushes housing plan described as ‘all stick,’ no carrot
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is pushing to prevent local communities from restricting housing development, but local leaders say...
Alleged attacker charged with attempted assassination of Trump
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The man accused of storming the White House Correspondents' Associations Dinner has been charged with the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump. Cole Tomas Allen...
Republican lawmakers say shooting proves need for Trump ballroom
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square In light of the Saturday shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, congressional Republicans are calling for an end to the Department of Homeland...
White House calls for DHS funding after correspondents incident
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The White House on Monday called on Congress to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents'...
Report: $186 billion in federal payment errors likely an undercount
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Federal agencies made an estimated $186 billion in improper payments in fiscal year 2025, a $24 billion increase from the prior year, according to a...
Convenience store advocate: Swipe fee ruling is ‘one step’ in the process
By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square *The Center Square) – The federal government has moved to partially block an Illinois law banning electronic processing fees on the tax and tip portions...
Report: Sharp ideological divide in Minnesota congressional delegation
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A new report analyzing congressional voting records shows a clear ideological divide between Minnesota’s Republican and Democratic delegations. In its idealogical rankings, the Institute for...
White House correspondents’ dinner shooter faces formal charges
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The California man accused of charging security and shooting a Secret Service officer at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday night will appear Monday...
Deferred maintenance blamed in I-64 bridge hole
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State transportation officials say repairs are underway after a large hole developed on an Interstate 64...
Supreme Court strikes down Texas redistricting lawsuit, upholds new maps
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday struck down a challenge to Texas' new congressional maps. The court reversed Abbott v. LULAC, a case that sought...
Supreme Court to hear migrant farm worker case
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case over the constitutional authority of federal agencies to handle migrant farmworker disputes. The case, Department of Labor...
Illinois quick hits: Convicted felon suspected of shooting two officers; Chicago Mayor orders up to $900,000 for additional peacekeepers; Belleville man faces attempted murder charge
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Convicted felony suspected of shooting two officers One Chicago police officer is dead and another was critically injured after a man...
Lincoln-Way D210 Approves $483,000 Agreement with Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, Adds Seventh Athletic Trainer
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education approved a new three-year, $483,000 contract with the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute...