WATCH: State police prepares ICE protest zones; energy policy debate continues
October 3, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the latest updates from Illinois State Police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over public safety and immigration enforcement.
Bishop also reviews moments from an Illinois Senate hearing about new energy policies legislators could take up later this month for fall veto session. Legislators and stakeholders discussed energy demand and cost amid a focus on renewables as energy prices continue to be higher than this time last year.
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
Analyst points to inefficiencies as Pritzker touts record spending on infrastructure
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the biggest infrastructure spending plan in state history, a transportation policy director...
Illinois quick hits: DHS announces more than 800 illegals arrested; utility prices drop slightly
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Midway Blitz announces 800 illegals arrested According to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border...
WATCH: Officials shift shutdown blame; agreed-bill process upended; GOP offers solutions
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 reaction to...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education for September 18, 2025
The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education on Thursday, September 18, 2025, formally adopted a $172.7 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year. The budget includes a...
States sue feds over denying grants for illegal immigrants
By Dave Mason | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Democratic attorneys general from 21 jurisdictions sued the Trump administration Wednesday for denying federal funds to help...
Pritzker blames Trump for partial government shutdown
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump is to blame for the U.S. government’s partial shutdown,...
Illinois quick hits: Record infrastructure spending planned; watchdog urges ratepayers review Ameren bills
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Record infrastructure spending planned Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation joined state, local and organized labor officials to...
GOP rep, Dem alderman: Sanctuary policies drove immigration enforcement surge
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Republican state lawmaker and a Democratic Chicago alderman agree that sanctuary policies are the reason federal...
WATCH: Labor leaving agreed-bill process has consequences, Illinois legislator warns
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he understands why labor leaders are walking away from the agreed-bill process,...
Peotone School Committee Scrambles for Cuts After Budget Fails Amid Financial Crisis
207U Committee of the Whole Meeting 9/22/2025 Article Summary: Following the failure of the proposed 2025-2026 budget to pass, the Peotone Board of Education is directing its administration to formulate...
Lincoln-Way 210 to Launch District Literacy Plan, Expands Community Partnerships
Article Summary: As part of its strategic plan, Lincoln-Way High School District 210 is developing a comprehensive literacy plan to embed critical thinking skills across the curriculum. The district is also...
Pipeline expansion touted as key to U.S. energy dominance
By Lauren JessopThe Center Square Pipeline expansion across the Appalachian Basin holds the key to solving the nation’s energy crisis, according to industry experts, though state policies and regulatory hurdles...
County Board Abates Over $25 Million in Property Taxes for Bond Payments
Article Summary: Will County property taxpayers will be spared over $25 million in taxes for the 2026 payment year after the County Board voted to abate taxes for six separate...