WATCH: Officials shift shutdown blame; agreed-bill process upended; GOP offers solutions
October 2, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares reaction to the partial federal government shutdown with Vice President J.D. Vance blaming Democrats and Gov. J.B. Pritzker blaming President Donald Trump.
Bishop also shares information about two measures filed by statehouse Republicans, one to reverse the state’s laws that prohibit state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement and another distancing protesters for police.
Finally, Bishop shares reaction to the agreed-bill legislative process between labor and business being upended with labor reportedly walking way from the table. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Republican state Rep. Dan Ugaste share their thoughts.
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
MondayDecember 8, 2025
TuesdayDecember 9, 2025
WednesdayDecember 10, 2025
Pajama Storytime with Santa (Session #1)12:30 amPajama Storytime with Santa (Session #2)1:00 amSensory-Friendly Pajama Storytime with Santa (Session #3)3:30 pm(Ages 0-2): Baby Storytime4:30 pm(Ages 0-2): Baby Storytime10:00 pmHigh School: Winter Reindeer Decoration10:15 pm(Gr. 3rd-5th) Bluestem Book Club - "Nell of Gumbling"
ThursdayDecember 11, 2025
Latest News Stories
Report: Hegseth violated multiple protocols and federal law in ‘Signalgate’
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Secretary of War Pete Hegseth violated multiple protocols and federal law in the “Signalgate” affair in March, according to Pentagon watchdog the Office of Inspector...
Illinois quick hits: Another attack on CTA passenger; plaintiffs move to dismiss their ICE use of force case
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Another attack on CTA passenger Illinois House Republicans say the SAFE-T Act continues to fail Illinois residents after a suspect with...
Some push for FDA approval of psychedelic treatments for veterans
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square State leaders across the country are pushing for medical trials of the psychedelic drug ibogaine to treat neurological conditions. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry spoke...
WATCH: Pritzker: ‘No’ to state taxpayer-funded guaranteed income
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is not planning to follow Cook County by implementing a guaranteed income...
WATCH: IL congresswoman willing to withhold highway dollars over CDL issues
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Republican congresswoman from Illinois is looking to enforce federal Commercial Drivers License requirements by withholding federal...
Disability group, coroners press governor ahead of assisted suicide decision
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Chicago-based disability-rights organization is seeking a meeting with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office as Illinois prepares...
Mokena Library Board Approves Tax Levy Determination with 1.76% Increase
Mokena Community Public Library District Board Meeting | October 28, 2025 Article Summary: The Mokena Community Public Library District Board of Trustees advanced its financial planning for the upcoming year...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for November 20, 2025
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | November 20, 2025 The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education held a busy meeting on Thursday, November 20, 2025,...
WATCH: U.S. Rep. Miller live; Heated rhetoric in Congress; SNAP, ‘basic income’ debate
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 talks live with...
Illinois quick hits: Layoff announcements; Freedom Caucus criticizes library association
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Layoff announcements According to the latest Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notices, 1,138 employees across the state will be...
Illinois quick hits: Job training grants announced; products market moving indoors
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Job training grants announced Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced an additional $10 million...
Chicago aldermen advance ordinance to restrict hemp sales
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Chicago city council committee has advanced an ordinance that would ban most hemp sales in the...
WATCH: IL Democrats’ rhetoric against law enforcement takes Congressional spotlight
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ role in the immigration debate took center stage during a congressional hearing about anti-law enforcement rhetoric....