WATCH: Gun ban cases and the Supreme Court; English and CDLs; Don Tracy eyes Senate

WATCH: Gun ban cases and the Supreme Court; English and CDLs; Don Tracy eyes Senate

November 21, 2025/
Spread the love

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop discusses the status of various challenges to gun bans from Illinois, including a challenge to Cook County’s ban being sent to a U.S. Supreme Court conference for Dec. 5. The Barnett case, where a district judge ruled against the law on the merits after developing a substantial record from a four day bench trial, remains in the appeals court after a hearing nearly two months ago.

Bishop also talks live with Illinois state Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, about legislation he’s filed to do away with Illinois policy that grants standard drivers licenses to noncitizens. Niemerg also reacts to numbers provided to The Center Square from Illinois State Police showing the numbers of English Language Proficiency exam failures for Commercial Drivers License holders.

Finally, Bishop shares a conversation with one of the Republican candidates running for the open U.S. Senate seat. Don Tracy shares his thoughts about the crowded primary field, his opposition to Democrat political philosophies and the impact of the recent federal government shutdown.

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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Arthur hammers Louisiana; flood threat persists along Gulf Coast

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

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

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’

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

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...
Vance: Iran deal ‘win-win’ for Americans, conditioned on Iran’s behavior

Vance: Iran deal ‘win-win’ for Americans, conditioned on Iran’s behavior

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance on Thursday responded to claims that America’s newly released preliminary peace deal, called a memorandum of understanding, was too generous toward...
Wisconsin Supreme Court rules against race-based scholarships

Wisconsin Supreme Court rules against race-based scholarships

By Jon StyfThe Center Square A Wisconsin college grant program that sent financial aid to students based on specific race, national origin and ancestry cannot legally operate because it violates...
Legislator calls for investigation of Newsom's FOIA request

Legislator calls for investigation of Newsom’s FOIA request

By Robert MattesonThe Center Square Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, is requesting an investigation into Gov. Gavin Newsom’s use of California taxpayers-funded resources after Newsom's recent Freedom of Information Act...
EXCLUSIVE: Social Security reform imperative to avoid 34% tax hike, insolvency by 2032

EXCLUSIVE: Social Security reform imperative to avoid 34% tax hike, insolvency by 2032

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Policymakers must return Social Security to its original intent in order to avoid massive tax hikes and insolvency, especially in light of a nation burdened...
Property tax rates remain a top issue in Wisconsin elections

Property tax rates remain a top issue in Wisconsin elections

By Jon StyfThe Center Square The future of property taxes in Wisconsin remains one of the largest topics along with affordability heading into this fall’s elections. This week, congressman and...
Taxpayers paying $50 million+ for Chicago-owned bus station

Taxpayers paying $50 million+ for Chicago-owned bus station

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Taxpayers are expected to fork over at least $50 million for Chicago to own and operate a...
Michigan Republicans blast Whitmer's Europe trip as budget deadline nears

Michigan Republicans blast Whitmer’s Europe trip as budget deadline nears

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is facing criticism from Republicans for traveling to Europe as critical state budget negotiations are ongoing ahead of a July 1...
Zillow faces antitrust suit, consumer fraud claims amid housing crisis

Zillow faces antitrust suit, consumer fraud claims amid housing crisis

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Zillow faces a federal antitrust suit, congressional calls for regulatory scrutiny and a competitor's claim in court that Zillow is a monopolist working against housing...
Illegal immigrants across U.S. get financial aid for college

Illegal immigrants across U.S. get financial aid for college

By Esther Wickham | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State financial aid continues to expand within higher education, allowing money to go to eligible illegal immigrant...
Supreme Court sides with criminal appeal rights

Supreme Court sides with criminal appeal rights

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in an 8-1 decision on Thursday, upheld a man's right to appeal a prison sentence that also prescribed him mental health...