WATCH: Trump’s emergency Guard appeal denied; Fiscal Fallout reviews state salaries
October 13, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop gets to the latest in the ongoing court battle over whether the Trump administration has the justification needed to deploy the National Guard to Illinois with a federal appeals court denying a motion to reverse a temporary restraining order against the deployment.
Bishop also talks with The Center Square investigative reporter Jared Strong about his Fiscal Fallout stories, looking into increased state spending, the taxpayer cost of the state’s equity and inclusion commission and the state’s highest paid public employees.
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 Jul 21
75° 54°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Push increased for Dalilah’s Law to get a floor vote
By Alan WootenThe Center Square More than four months later, federal legislation from a North Carolina congressman addressing nondomiciled commercial drivers remains stuck in the U.S. House of Representatives. A...
Texas suffers its first casualty in Iran war: female soldier from Carrollton
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas has suffered its first casualty in the U.S.-Israel war against Iran: Army Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton. She was killed in action on...
Illinois quick hits: Benton’s replacement chosen; gas prices resume climb
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Benton's replacement chosen Jessica Dixon Heitman was chosen unanimously to replace former state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, in the 97th House...
Illinois diversity certifications lag despite partial computer fix
By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- State diversity leaders recently reported a large increase in the number of Illinois businesses that get better...
FBI: Suspect in federal building attack was anti-ICE ‘extremist’
By Chris WadeThe Center Square A man arrested by federal agents Monday for starting a large blaze outside a New York City immigration court was an "anti-government extremist" who told...
U.S. House to vote on government funding stopgap
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republican lawmakers have teed up a Continuing Resolution that would extend government funding at current levels until Dec. 4, punting the government shutdown deadline by...
Trump vows retaliation for U.S. service members’ deaths
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square For a 10th consecutive night, the U.S. is carrying out strikes on Iran, targeting the Islamic Republic’s ability to attack commercial ships in the Strait...
Forecasters split on midterms, but a sweep is possible, maybe likely
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Forecasters say Democrats are favored to take the U.S. House this November while Republicans are favored to hold the Senate, yet the likeliest outcome is...
Group behind tariff challenge calls Pritzker’s refund check demand irrational
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As over $86 billion has begun making its way back to small businesses impacted by tariffs imposed...
Abbott: Flooding worse in Kerrville this year than in 2025
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The historic rainfall in central and south Texas that continues to cause significant flooding is worse this year than it was during the historic July...
Illinois news in brief: Ammons House investigation hearing set; IDOT requests public feedback; Duckworth reacts to service member’s death
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ammons House investigation hearing set The Illinois House Special Investigative Committee appointed to look into alleged wrongdoings by Rep. Carol Ammons,...
Text messages aren’t ‘phone calls’ that can trigger class actions: Appeals panel
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square (Legal Newsline) - Text messages aren't "phone calls," and can't be used to bring class action lawsuits against companies for allegedly violating...
Secretary of State says insurance reforms are not political
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says he is offended by a state lawmaker’s suggestion that Giannoulias...
