WATCH: Officials shift shutdown blame; agreed-bill process upended; GOP offers solutions
October 2, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares reaction to the partial federal government shutdown with Vice President J.D. Vance blaming Democrats and Gov. J.B. Pritzker blaming President Donald Trump.
Bishop also shares information about two measures filed by statehouse Republicans, one to reverse the state’s laws that prohibit state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement and another distancing protesters for police.
Finally, Bishop shares reaction to the agreed-bill legislative process between labor and business being upended with labor reportedly walking way from the table. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Republican state Rep. Dan Ugaste share their thoughts.
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
Major Park District Projects Advance as Hunter Prairie Park Gets Green Light
Work on the Frankfort Square Park District's three major capital projects is hitting key milestones, with the long-awaited redevelopment of Hunter Prairie Park now officially underway. Executive Director Audrey Marcquenski...
Executive Committee June 12 Meeting Briefs
Property Purchase Approved: The county authorized purchase of two parcels along Governor's Highway in Monee for $545,000 to establish a roadway maintenance facility for the eastern end of the county....
Developer to Donate Land, Playground for New Park in Tinley Park
A new park is coming to a Tinley Park development thanks to a land and equipment donation from a local home builder. Frank Bradley, owner of Crana Homes, is donating...
Meeting Briefs: Frankfort Square Park District for June 12, 2025
The Frankfort Square Park District Board of Commissioners formally adopted its annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance on June 12, a key legal step that sets the district’s spending authority for...
Summit Hill Board Approves School Resource Officer for Two Schools in Contentious Vote
The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education voted to hire a School Resource Officer (SRO) to serve two of its schools, approving an annual expenditure of up to...
Summit Hill School Board Reverses Controversial Principal Non-Renewal Decision
In a significant reversal, the Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education voted to repeal previous resolutions that aimed to not renew the contract of an unnamed principal, effectively...
Meeting Briefs: Summit Hill School District 161 for June 11, 2025
The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education made several major decisions at its June 11 meeting, including the hiring of a School Resource Officer for two schools after...
Will County to Draft New Harassment Policy Amid Debate Over Board Authority
The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee will draft a new, county-wide general harassment policy after a lengthy debate on Tuesday revealed the complexities of the county’s legal obligations and...
Committee Uncovers Gaps in County Asset Tracking, Calls for Better System
A review of Will County’s fiscal policies on Tuesday highlighted significant gaps in how the county tracks its physical assets, from office furniture to squad cars, prompting calls from the...
Frankfort Park District in Dispute with Five Oaks HOA Over Park Development Rules
The Frankfort Park District is taking legal steps to untangle itself from the development rules of the Five Oaks homeowners association, asserting that as a public body, it "cannot be...
In Brief: Ordinance Review Committee Actions
The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee met June 10 to continue its comprehensive update of the county code. Here are some of the key actions and discussions: Court Fees...
Frankfort Park District Kicks Off Busy Summer Season with Races and New Events
The Frankfort Park District is in full summer swing, with a packed schedule of programs and events that includes an expanded day camp, new community parties, and the 25th anniversary...
Will County Jail Faces Major Staffing Crisis as 70 Employees Eligible to Retire by 2030
County officials warn of potential budget impact as adult detention facility grapples with unprecedented turnover Will County's adult detention facility is heading toward a staffing crisis that could significantly impact...
Will County Health Department Reports Sharp Decline in Overdose Deaths
2025 fatalities running 40% lower than previous year, officials attribute success to expanded Narcan distribution Will County is experiencing a significant reduction in overdose deaths, with 2025 fatalities running 40%...
Solar Project Extensions Approved as Industry Faces Permitting Delays
Three solar energy projects received 180-day extensions from Will County's Land Use & Development Committee Thursday as developers continue working through lengthy permitting processes with utility companies and other agencies....