WATCH: Pritzker expects troops soon, protesters with guns charged; Darren Bailey reacts
September 30, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares comments from Democratic leaders about the expectation that the Trump administration is requesting military troops for Chicago amid protests against immigration officials enforcing federal law.
Bishop also talks live with Darren Bailey, former Illinois gubernatorial candidate running in the 2026 primary, with reaction to public safety in Chicago, what he learned running against Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2022 and how he expects to raise campaign funds during the primary season.
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 23
78° 60°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Supreme Court backs gun rights for marijuana users in 9-0 decision
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Gun rights advocates celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Thursday to allow occasional marijuana users to possess firearms. Justices on the high court ruled...
Iran deal omits terror proxies, ballistic missiles, human rights
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square With President Donald Trump signing the memorandum of understanding with Iran, the latest agreement ushers in a new round of talks with the Islamic Republic...
‘No kings’ at $830 million Obama Center opening
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Former President Barack Obama has opened his presidential center in Chicago by saying the United States was...
Alleged UFC White House ringleader was in US illegally
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The alleged ringleader of a planned terrorist attack targeting the White House was in the country illegally, had overstayed his tourist visa for more than...
‘Policy blunder’ or ‘pathway to peace’: Republicans divided over Iran deal
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square President Donald Trump signed the temporary peace deal with Iran ahead of schedule Wednesday at the Palace of Versailles in France, kicking off negotiations over...
Second produced water treatment pilot facility online in Permian Basin
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The second produced water treatment pilot facility (JIP 2) is online in the Permian Basin in west Texas. It was launched by Western Midstream Partners...
Bill provides access to customized gene therapies, medicines
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square A new congressional bill would give patients with life-threatening diseases access to customized gene therapies and medicines. The Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act,...
Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate remains more than 5%
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced on Thursday that the state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at...
Arthur hammers Louisiana; flood threat persists along Gulf Coast
By Misty CastileThe Center Square Tropical Storm Arthur battered south Louisiana with heavy rain, flooding, tornadoes and widespread power outages as the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane...
Report: More than 1M Minnesotans could face Social Security cuts by 2032
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square More than 1 million Minnesotans could see their Social Security benefits reduced by 2032 if Congress fails to address the program's looming insolvency. This is...
Democrats like Schumer, back Platner’s scandal-riddled Senate bid
By Chris WadeThe Center Square Maine oyster farmer Graham Platner is headed for an epic showdown with Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the midterm elections, backed by top Democrats continuing...
Chicago discards proposed ban on unregulated ‘sweepstakes machines’
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council voted down a proposed ban on a type of prevalent gaming machines, which...
Democrats spend millions in attempt to unseat Boebert
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Democrats across the country are spending millions to unseat U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, the Republican representing Colorado’s 4th Congressional District. Geographically, the district is the...
