WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Tuesday Aug. 12th, 2025
August 12, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop delves into the back and forth between President Donald Trump and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over public safety, presidential politics and no-cash bail.
Bishop also shares concerns raised by the National Federation of Independent Business Illinois State Director Noah Finley about Senate Bill 1976 now on the governor’s desk. Finley says if the measure becomes law, Illinois could fall further behind the rest of the nation in economic growth.
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.
Latest News Stories
Plaintiffs take Cook County gun ban challenge to SCOTUS
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Plaintiffs challenging Cook County’s ban on semi-automatic firearms are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take the...
Illinois quick hits: $1.57B return on investments; solar-powered manufacturer cuts ribbon
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square $1.57B return on investments Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs says his office made a record $1.57 billion in investment earnings from the...
Report: Illinois U.S. Rep faces minimal penalty after disclosure violations
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a new report, Illinois U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson has violated federal law by making late...
18 were injured, 2 killed in Minneapolis shooting
By Jon StyfThe Center Square A total of 18 victims were injured and two were killed in a Wednesday shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, a total reached after...
Trump HHS tells states to remove gender ideology from sex ed or lose PREP funding
By Tate MillerThe Center Square The Trump administration directed 46 states and territories to remove gender ideology from their sex ed materials or else face possible termination of federal Personal...
Americans could face ‘sticker shock’ as once-small tax exemption ends
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans could be in for a surprise when a nearly century-old trade rule that allowed shoppers to avoid President Donald Trump's tariffs expires on Friday....
‘Pro-taxpayer’ law requires operators to clean up abandoned Illinois oil wells
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A state lawmaker says recently-signed legislation will ensure that Illinois taxpayers don’t foot the bill for cleaning...
Black-only medical directory must open to all races after lawsuit
By Tate MillerThe Center Square After a lawsuit from medical group Do No Harm, a Philadelphia-based directory of Black physicians is now open to all races. The directory entitled “Black...
Embattled Fed governor sues Trump over ‘illegal’ firing
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A Federal Reserve governor accused of mortgage fraud filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging her firing was "unprecedented and illegal." Trump fired Federal Reserve Governor Lisa...
Watch: Cook County gun ban plaintiffs petition SCOTUS; Pritzker hasn’t heard from White House
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 gets to the...
Illinois quick hits: Man on pretrial release accused of murder; holiday weekend impaired driving patrols
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Man on pretrial release accused of murder After reportedly violating curfew dozens of times while wearing an ankle monitor, a man...
GOP legislators propose creating new state from CA counties
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Republicans are calling for 35 inland counties to secede from California and create a new state. The GOP announced the plan Wednesday as their response...
Illinois quick hits: Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS; man sentenced for COVID fraud
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS The Second Amendment Foundation is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take a challenge to Cook...