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.
⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 16 at 2:13PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 16 at 2:12PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Tue Jun 16
73° 59°
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Proposal to decrease reliance on paper documents passes House
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Safety is compromised, and costs are increased by outdated rules, U.S. Rep. Brad Knott tells The Center Square. His proposal with Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich.,...
Diaz Tosses Complete Game, TF South Runs Past Peotone 5-1
A dominant pitching performance by senior Richard Diaz and a hyper-aggressive approach on the basepaths propelled the Thornton Fractional South varsity baseball team to a 5-1 non-conference victory over visiting...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Capital Improvements & IT Committee for March 3, 2026
Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | March 2026 The Will County Capital Improvements and IT Committee met on Tuesday to address the county's physical and digital infrastructure. The meeting...
Chicago can’t ditch airlines’ suit vs ‘disruptive’ paid sick leave rules
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Saying it appears likely the city's sick leave ordinance would disrupt airlines' ability to function, a federal judge has rejected Chicago City...
$4.4B budget request for new Illinois early childhood agency draws scrutiny
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An agency focused on early childhood education created by state lawmakers in 2024 has made its first...
Lawmaker, officer warns Elgin officer firing could chill free speech
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and law enforcement officer is sharply criticizing the city of Elgin’s decision to...
Illinois quick hits: Coalition calls for more action on data centers
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Coalition calls for more action on data centers The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition says more action is needed from the Illinois...
IL House GOP asks “Have you had enough yet” following student’s murder
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After the alleged murder of a Loyola University student by a migrant who was in the country...
Gas spike continues for Illinoisans; state leaders offer no plan to help yet
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As fuel prices continue rising, government leaders in Illinois have responded to growing concern over the impact...
Updated: St. John Woman Charged with Nine Counts of Murder in Crete Township Triple Homicide
Article Summary: Jenna Strouble, 30, of St. John, Indiana, has been charged with nine counts of first-degree murder following the shooting deaths of her former partner, Jacob Lambert, and his...
Illinois lagging the nation for entrepreneurship, economic growth
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Policy Institute’s Josh Bandoch says he could have easily predicted the state would rank as...
Illinois Quick Hits: Iowa PA license wait times half of Illinois
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing says the state’s average wait time for new physician...
Bishop McNamara Offense Overpowers Peotone Baseball in 17-2 Non-Conference Tilt
Despite grabbing an early lead in the first inning, the Peotone varsity baseball team fell victim to a relentless offensive attack and a combined one-hitter from Bishop McNamara, dropping Monday’s...
