WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 15th, 2025
August 15, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks with gun rights advocate Todd Vandermyde about the latest filing from the state defending Illinois’ gun ban in the federal appeals court. Read the filing here.
Bishop also provides highlights from Republican Day at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, from stage speeches and off-stage conversations with candidates and elected officials.
Finally, Bishop shares the latest back and forth in the debate over congressional maps as Texas Democrats may be heading back to the Lone Star State to face off with Republicans looking to give the GOP more seats in Congress.
Watch the full program below. 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.
Part 1
Part 2
Latest News Stories
U.S. LNG exports at new record in September on strong Louisiana shipments
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square U.S. LNG exports hit a record high in September at 9.4 million metric tons, up from a previous record 9.3 million metric tons in August,...
Conservatives push Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A coalition of conservative and free-market groups is urging federal regulators to approve the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, saying the deal...
Hamas agrees to release hostages; demands further negotiations
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After an ominous warning from President Donald Trump, Hamas has reportedly agreed to release the remaining Israeli hostages; however, they have yet to agree to...
Report: Bipartisan support for K-12 open enrollment policy
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A new study reveals strong bipartisan support for K-12 open enrollment, yet only 16 states have strong laws enabling it. The report by Reason Foundation,...
‘End the political idiocy’: Republicans lambast Dems for tanking funding bill again
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The ongoing government shutdown will span at least five days as U.S. senators depart for the weekend after voting down both short-term funding options for...
WATCH: U.S. military strikes another suspected drug boat, killing four
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said the U.S. military destroyed a fourth suspected drug boat on Friday carrying enough drugs to kill tens of thousands of Americans....
Des Moines Public School system hired superintendent with extensive criminal history
By Bethany Blankley reporterThe Center Square The Des Moines Public School Board hired a Guyanan national who had been living in the U.S. illegally for years and has an extensive...
Pro-life group calls FDA’s approval of generic abortion pill ‘unconscionable’
By Tate MillerThe Center Square A pro-life organization called the FDA’s approval of the generic version of the abortion drug mifepristone “unconscionable,” stating that abortion is the leading cause of...
USDOT puts $2.1 billion of taxpayer funds for CTA under review
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – More than $2 billion in federal taxpayer infrastructure funding granted by the Biden administration for Chicago Transit...
No UPCODE Act could be part of shutdown solution … and more
By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Days into the federal government shutdown, health care funding is perhaps the key issue in talks to end the partisan stalemate. A...
Health care policy remains sticking point in Senate’s govt shutdown talks
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square It’s day three of the government shutdown, and U.S. lawmakers are no closer to a government stopgap compromise, with both parties believing they’ll win the...
ICE arrests 9 Chileans linked to South American theft group operating in NJ
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Newark officers have arrested nine Chileans linked to a South American Theft Groups (SATG) operating in New Jersey. ICE Newark, working...
WATCH: State police prepares ICE protest zones; energy policy debate continues
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 latest...
DHS blames ‘sanctuary’ politicians for ICE violence
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that two vehicles were used as weapons against Immigration and...
Illinois news in brief: Department of Transportation reviews CTA spending plans; Illinois manufacturers kick off ‘Makers on the Move’ tour; Hearings continue on energy legislation
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square Department of Transportation reviews CTA spending plans The U.S. Department of Transportation issued an interim final rule barring race- and sex-based...