WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 14th, 2025
August 14, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from Governor’s Day at the Illinois State Fair where Democrats rallied the party faithful. There were also questions about congressional maps and energy prices.
Bishop also shares moments from a ceremony at the Illinois State Fair where nearly 400 individuals for more than 70 countries took an oath to become naturalized U.S. Citizens and delves into some of the debate about immigration reform.
Watch the full program below. 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
ELECTION DAY 2025: Virginia, NJ governor, NYC mayor, more at stake
By Dan McCaleb and Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in several states and cities across the U.S. will decide key races for governor, mayor and other positions Tuesday as voting...
Government shutdown to surpass 35 days, breaking all records
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square For the 14th time, U.S. Senate Democrats on Tuesday filibustered Republicans’ funding bill to reopen the government, guaranteeing that the ongoing shutdown, now on its...
Reported bomb threat halts flights at Washington Reagan National Airport
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Flights in and out of Washington Reagan National Airport were momentarily halted due to a reported bomb threat on an incoming flight. The app Flight...
22 candidates vying for Illinois’ Democrat, Republican U.S. Senate primary
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Some of the 22 candidates vying for their party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated...
Trump says SNAP benefits on hold until government reopens
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Tuesday that federal food benefits won't go out until the government reopens, a statement at odds with what his administration has...
WATCH: Illinois tax amnesty program closes Nov. 17, brings in $82.5 million
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Revenue is confident it will meet, if not exceed, its goal of bringing...
Median age for a first-time home buyer hits 40, a record high
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The median age for a first-time home buyer just hit 40, a record high, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors....
Illinois biz leader: Diversity computer snafu so bad it ‘has to be intentional’
By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois computer problem that has led to the diversity decertifications of numerous businesses owned by minorities...
WATCH: GOP U.S. Sen. candidate Tracy on shutdown, tariffs; state expands sanctuary
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...
Former Vice President Dick Cheney dies
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Dick Cheney, vice president to former President George W. Bush, has died. He was 84. His family was with him Monday evening and said the...
Illinois quick hits: Ceremonies planned for new lawyers; energy efficiency grants announced
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ceremonies planned for new lawyers Bar admission ceremonies are scheduled across the state Wednesday for the 1,637 people who passed the...
Mokena’s Main Park Playground Nominated for Statewide ‘Playground of the Year’ Award
Mokena Community Park District Meeting | September 23, 2025 Article Summary: The Mokena Community Park District’s recently renovated, all-inclusive playground at Main Park has been nominated for a statewide "Playground...
26 states participate in federal SAVE program to ensure only US citizens are voting
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In less than a few months, 26 states have begun working with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to ensure only U.S. citizens are voting...