WATCH: Pritzker encourages protests; Vaccine law signed; Chicago priorities criticized
December 3, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the continued debate around federal immigration enforcement and the state’s migrant sanctuary policies with Gov. J.B. Pritzker encouraging protests against ICE.
Bishop also shares highlights in the debate around vaccine policy in the state of Illinois with a new bill being signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker that a Republican legislators who is also a doctor called a “Trump Derangement Syndrome” bill.
Finally, Bishop shares moments from Tuesday’s news conference held by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson where the mayor talked about potential tax increases, government spending and public safety. Members of Chicago Flips Red remain critical of the Johnson administration and Democrats at City Hall.
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.
⚠️ Flood Watch issued June 11 at 10:05AM CDT until June 11 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 10
81° 59°
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Township Board for July 14, 2025
The Frankfort Township Board on Monday, July 14, 2025, primarily focused on zoning matters, unanimously denying special use permits for two businesses, Dimitri Best Food and Kismet Restaurant, that sought...
Illinois quick hits: Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS; man sentenced for COVID fraud
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS The Second Amendment Foundation is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take a challenge to Cook...
WATCH: Trump: Illinois’ ‘slob of a governor’ should call for help with public safety
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he has not received communication from the federal government about potential troop...
WATCH: Legislator says Illinois’ child welfare agency uses interns, has legal exposure
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state legislator insists the state’s child welfare agency is violating the law by using interns...
Economic index shows reduced uncertainty, more stability in Midwest
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Survey of Economic Conditions Activity Index suggests more stability and less...
After Initial Rejection and Tense Debate, Board Reconsiders and Approves Contested DuPage Township Business
Article Summary: In a rare reversal, the Will County Board approved a special use permit for a landscaping business in a residential area of DuPage Township after the measure initially...
New law sparks debate over Illinois school mergers, communities fear loss
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new law that could push school districts to study possible consolidation, aiming for efficiency and...
Frankfort Township Highway Department Upgrades Aging Fleet, Starts Grant Project
Article Summary: The Frankfort Township Highway Department is in the process of replacing equipment that is up to two decades old, having recently received a new small leaf vacuum and a...
Mokena Library Board Approves Tentative Budget for 2025-2026 Fiscal Year
Mokena Community Public Library District Board of Trustees Meeting | July 2025 Article SummaryThe Mokena Community Public Library District Board of Trustees has formally approved its tentative budget and appropriation...
Trump-appointed judge blasts administration for campaign against judiciary
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A federal judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit against all 15 federal district judges in Maryland Tuesday, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the case and...
Report: Teachers’ unions give millions to progressive causes
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The two largest U.S. teachers unions have donated over $40 million to progressive organizations and initiatives, a new report found. Since 2022, the American Federation...
Illinois quick hits: Record hotel tax revenues reported; grocer sentenced for SNAP, WIC fraud
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Record hotel tax revenues reported Illinois tourism numbers for 2024 saw an all-time high for hotel tax revenue. The Illinois Department...
Trump goes on attack over digital services taxes, threatens tariffs
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump broadly attacked other nations' plans for a digital services tax, which he said were designed to harm U.S. companies while giving others...
WATCH: Policy questions loom as Pritzker announces ag investment, tax credits
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says a new fertilizer production facility in Douglas County is a major win for...
Report: Claims that preserving coal plants will cost $6B based on unlikely assumptions
By Tate MillerThe Center Square A new report released Tuesday by America’s Power challenges environmental organization-sponsored claims circulating that say the Trump administration’s decision to preserve coal power plants will...