WATCH: IL lawmakers pass consequential bills early Halloween
October 31, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop powers through on little sleep with a roundup of legislative activity at the Illinois State Capitol that stretched into the early morning hours Friday. Measures approved include an energy policy bill, a tax increase to fund mass transit and enhancements to the state’s migrant sanctuary policies.
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
Illinois Quick Hits: Housing, megaprojects take backseat to budget talks
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Top Democrat leaders in the Illinois legislature met with Gov. J.B. Pritzker late Friday behind closed doors...
Taxpayer watchdog calls for accountability after helicopter prom controversy
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A taxpayer watchdog is calling for a potential criminal investigation after allegations surfaced that a suburban...
District 210 Transportation Update Details Fuel Swings, New Bus Safety Technology
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 Article Summary: Lincoln-Way District 210 Transportation Director Andy Rezer told the board on Thursday, May 21, 2026, that fuel...
Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment numbers rise; Champaign job growth continues
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security,...
Lincoln-Way 210 Reports Lowest High School Tax Rate in the Area
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 Article Summary: Superintendent Dr. Scott Tingley told the Lincoln-Way District 210 board on Thursday, May 21, 2026, that the...
Lincoln-Way North to Host TV Pilot Filming Under $210,000 Rental Deal
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education on Thursday, May 21, 2026, unanimously approved a rental agreement...
Lincoln-Way 210 Backs Mokena Downtown TIF Extension to 2044
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education on Thursday, May 21, 2026, voted unanimously...
Bill to let felons vote from prison draws criticism from Republicans
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Some Democrats and electoral rights groups want progress on legislation in Springfield that would give people in...
Supreme Court yet to decide high profile cases
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Birthright citizenship, transgender athletes in female sports and federal firing powers are among more than two dozen cases yet to be decided by the U.S....
Government spending on seniors’ benefits soon to make up majority of federal budget
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square More than half of the federal budget will go toward benefits for Americans 65 years and older by 2036, and that percentage is set to...
Illinois Dems seek to expand post-release convict support, housing
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Lawmakers in Springfield are pushing to pass legislation to provide people recently released from prison with housing,...
$580B federal highway bill clears committee; includes rail safety, EV fees
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A long-awaited bill spending $580 billion on American highways and transportation infrastructure is on track to hit the U.S. House floor for a vote as...
Tennessee smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia dismissed
By Kim JarrettThe Center Square A federal judge dismissed Tennessee charges against a man who, at one time, was at the center of the immigration debate. Kilmar Abrego Garcia was...