WATCH: $10M campaign finance fine dropped; Digital ID unveiled, Chicagoans speak up
November 19, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews actions taken by the Illinois State Board of Elections in regards to a nearly $10 million fine for campaign finance violations with Illinois Senate President Don Harmon’s campaign committee.
Bishop also shares recent public comments from residents of the city of Chicago about the city’s finances and immigration policies ahead of a new budget year with the prospect of a slew of tax increases to pay for a more than billion dollar budget deficit.
Finally, Bishop shares an announcement from the Illinois Secretary of State about the launch of digital ID for Apple devices.
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 1, 2025
TuesdayDecember 2, 2025
WednesdayDecember 3, 2025
Latest News Stories
Op-Ed: State lawmakers gut Emmett Till Day bill, expose Illinois’ corruption problem
By LyLena D. Estabine | Illinois Policy InstituteThe Center Square July 25, 2025, would have marked Illinois’ first Emmett Till Day, a commemoration of the 14-year-old Chicagoan whose 1955 lynching...
Democratic PACs being investigated for bankrolling AWOL Texas House Democrats
By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Democratic political action committees are being investigated by state, and potentially federal, authorities over claims they...
Pritzker: Chicago mayor ‘never once called’ to oppose pension bill
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson never called him to oppose a pension bill...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 7th, 2025
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 continues his coverage...
Illinois quick hits: Cook County declares flood disaster; opt-out forms promoted; State Fair begins
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Cook County, Chicago declare flood disaster Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle have issued respective disaster...
WATCH: IL Republican pushes for TX quorum rules that Pritzker hails as ‘hero’ move
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While Gov. J.B. Pritzker jokes on national TV that Illinois’ congressional maps were drawn by kindergartners, a...
Mokena School District Terminates Contract with Evans and Sons Blacktop Over Project Deficiencies
MOKENA, Ill. – The Mokena School District 159 Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to terminate its contract with Evans and Sons Blacktop for the playground and parking lot improvements...
Mokena District 159 Highlights Strategic Progress, Sets Sights on Advanced Learning and Data Systems
MOKENA, Ill. – Mokena School District 159 administrators presented their annual Strategic Plan review to the Board of Education on Wednesday, showcasing a year of significant progress in curriculum, facility...
District 159 Approves $173,700 Window Shade Replacement Project for Summer 2026
MOKENA, Ill. – The Mokena School District 159 Board of Education has authorized the district to seek proposals for a large-scale window shade replacement project at three schools, slated for...
Mokena Junior High to Get New Hot Water Heaters After Failures
MOKENA, Ill. – The Mokena School District 159 board has approved an emergency expenditure of up to $34,500 to replace two failing hot water heaters at Mokena Junior High School....
District 159 Board Gets First Look at FY26 Budget Draft, Education Fund Deficit Noted
MOKENA, Ill. – The Mokena School District 159 Board of Education received its first look at the fiscal year 2026 budget this week, kicking off a two-month process of review...
Meeting Summary: Mokena School District 159 Board for July 16, 2025
The Mokena School District 159 Board of Education took several significant actions at its July 16 meeting, including terminating a contract for summer construction work due to performance issues and...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Township Board for June 9, 2025
The Frankfort Township Board on Monday, June 9, 2025, approved its primary financial documents for the upcoming fiscal year, passing separate and balanced budget appropriation ordinances for the township and...
