WATCH: Pritzker reacts to Trump’s address; Immigration enforcement continues
December 18, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from Wednesday evening primetime address to the nation from President Donald Trump and Gov. J.B. Pritzker‘s reaction.
Bishop also jumps into the latest 24 hours of continued immigration enforcement in the Chicagoland area, including an interaction between immigration enforcement official Gregory Bovino and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss. This comes as the Illinois Accountability Commission prepares to meet today to provide an avenue for people to provide testimony about the impacts immigration enforcement.
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 Jun 13
71° 50°
Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
WATCH: Newsom optimistic about redistricting despite poll
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday said he’s proud of how quickly the California Legislature passed a congressional redistricting proposal that he signed, but he was...
Newsom meets with Danes, talks about Trump but not 2028
By Dave MasonThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom came to his hometown of San Francisco Friday to talk about the state’s new green energy partnership with Denmark. But another...
CA bill to give interest on insurance payments to homeowners
By Jamie ParsonsThe Center Square The California Legislature this week passed a bill to give at least 2% of interest on insurance payments to owners of homes that need rebuilding...
WATCH: Trump says ‘dangerous’ Chicago next after addressing crime in D.C.
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump says Chicago is next on his list of cities to focus on cleaning up...
DOJ releases Maxwell interview transcripts, audio; described Trump as ‘gentleman’
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday released the audio and transcript interviews with Ghislaine Maxwell, “in the interest of transparency,” in which she claims...
Erik Menendez denied parole; brother appears before board
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Lyle Menendez faced a California Board of Parole hearing Friday, after two commissioners Thursday evening denied parole to his younger brother Erik Menendez after a...
After cutting union contracts, VA redirects $45M to veterans
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced Friday that the agency is redirecting nearly $45 million from public union costs to care for veterans. "VA...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals
By The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker signs abortion bills Two bills Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted Friday impact access to abortion procedures. House Bill 3637 shields health care providers from...
WATCH: IL Department of Human Services’ adverse audit draws legislators’ ire
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A recent adverse audit of the Illinois Department of Human Services is the worst audit seen by...
Illinois prisons to publish annual data on contraband, safety and overdoses
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new law requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to publish annual data on contraband, substance...
Gallego, others question Meta on policies for kids using AI
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, along with nine other senators, wrote a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg this week inquiring about the company’s policies...
After Initial Rejection and Tense Debate, Board Reconsiders and Approves Contested DuPage Township Business
Article Summary: In a rare reversal, the Will County Board approved a special use permit for a landscaping business in a residential area of DuPage Township after the measure initially...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education for August 18, 2025
The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education reviewed a tentative $162.5 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year during its meeting on Monday. The budget projects a...
