WATCH: Population gain through international migration; Chicago looks to prosecute ICE
January 28, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square’s Greg Bishop delves into the latest U.S. Census estimates for Illinois‘ population that shows a third year of growth, but international migration into the state continues to outpace the domestic migration out of the state.
Bishop also discusses the ongoing efforts to enforce immigration law as President Donald Trump shakes things up in Minnesota. In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to investigate and prosecute alleged bad actors in the federal government.
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
Audit: Illinois State professors skipped required outside work disclosures
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker is raising serious concerns about cybersecurity and legal compliance at Illinois State University...
Trump urges arrests after church protest in St. Paul
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square President Donald Trump called for protestors to be “thrown in jail” following a protest which disrupted a Sunday morning service in St. Paul. Trump’s words...
Trump says ‘no going back’ on plans to annex Greenland
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump positioned the annexation of Greenland as essential for U.S. and global security, even as European leaders voiced strong resistance during the World...
WATCH: GOP governor candidates forum highlights; Pritzker talks taxes increase, Bears
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square's Greg Bishop provides highlights from Monday...
Illinois ‘RIFL’ act sparks fierce debate as lawmakers return to Springfield
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Illinois lawmakers convene for the 2026 legislative session, House Bill 3320, Responsibility in Firearm Legislation...
SCOTUS declines to hear felony firearms cases
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to take up two cases over whether individuals with felony records can be permanently disarmed under the Second...
Illinois Quick Hits: No injuries reported in Tuesday earthquake
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – No injuries have been reported after the U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude 3.8 earthquake near the...
One year in: Reviewing Trump’s inaugural promises
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square One year ago Tuesday, President Donald Trump told the nation its “golden age” had arrived, promising to spend his second term restoring stability at home...
Lincoln-Way Plans New Turf Field at Central and Courts at West for 2026
Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 15, 2026 Article Summary: District 210 administrators presented a $4.5 million capital projects plan for Summer 2026, headlined by a new auxiliary...
GOP hopefuls seek support, blast Pritzker at IL gubernatorial candidate forum
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – All four Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidates have no shortage of criticism for current Gov. J.B. Pritzker. 2022...
Illinois lawmaker questions IDHS over years-long data breach
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker slammed the state agency as “incompetent” after the Department of Human Services revealed...
Draft County Federal Agenda Opposes Sharing Medicaid Patient Data with ICE
Article Summary: A proposed federal policy platform presented to the Will County Board takes a hard line against a federal agreement that allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access...