WATCH: State police prepares ICE protest zones; energy policy debate continues
October 3, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the latest updates from Illinois State Police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over public safety and immigration enforcement.
Bishop also reviews moments from an Illinois Senate hearing about new energy policies legislators could take up later this month for fall veto session. Legislators and stakeholders discussed energy demand and cost amid a focus on renewables as energy prices continue to be higher than this time last year.
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
Trump: Chicago needs ‘big, strong soldiers’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump says Chicago needs big, strong soldiers to get the city into shape. The president...
Trump introduces $100k H-1B visa charge
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on Friday to change the process for securing an H-1B visa to include a $100,000 annual fee, in an...
WATCH: Gov. Gavin Newsom signs climate and energy bills
By Dave MasonThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom Friday morning promised up to $60 billion in tax rebates on electricity fees just before signing climate and energy bills. The...
Large Wisconsin data center tax breaks make benefits unclear
By Jon StyfThe Center Square When Microsoft announced plans for an additional $4 billion data center in Kenosha County on Thursday morning, it came with comments from Wisconsin Gov. Tony...
Panelists debate costs of energy legislation as Illinoisans struggle to pay bills
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Some consumer advocates say battery storage legislation would help reduce energy price spikes, but others say an...
Hearing held after report on tax money funding woke ideology in nonprofit hospitals
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Following a “Consumer Warning” report that shows a number of nonprofit hospitals promote DEI, gender ideology, and climate activism, the House Ways & Means Oversight...
Senate rejects both Republican and Democrat govt funding stopgaps, risking a shutdown
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate failed to pass either Democrats’ or Republicans’ government funding proposals Friday to prevent a government shutdown. Senators have now left town for...
Human remains found near Leavenworth believed to be Travis Decker
By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has announced the discovery of human remains believed to be those of Travis Decker. Decker is accused of kidnapping and...
House passes government funding patch, sending over to Senate
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Right before recessing for the Rosh Hashanah holiday, U.S. House lawmakers passed Friday a short-term Continuing Resolution to postpone the Sept. 30 government shutdown deadline....
Illinois quick hits: ICE protests in Broadview; Edgar funeral services this weekend
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square ICE protests in Broadview Protesters clashed with federal officials Friday morning outside the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement facility in the...
WATCH: Pritzker’s office ‘troubled’ by ‘peacekeeper’ photo; 2 years of cashless bail
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 shares the reaction...
Will GOP act on $124B in Medicare insurance fraud?
By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Earlier this year, UnitedHealthcare acknowledged it is under federal investigation over accusations is defrauded Medicare Advantage through multiple billions of dollars in...
What a terrorist designation could mean for Antifa
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump declared Antifa a terrorist organization on Wednesday, describing them as a “sick, dangerous, radical left disaster;” however, it’s unclear at this time...