WATCH: Chicago mayor warns of budget ‘chaos,’ end-of-life options bill on gov’s desk
December 11, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop provides highlights from Wednesday’s Chicago City Council meeting where residents shared their criticism of the mayor and alderman. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson later provided updates on budget negotiations as the end-of-month deadline approaches.
Bishop also discusses the debate around a measure on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk about “end-of-life” options for terminally ill patients that opponents say has “grave” consequences. The measure was approved by the Illinois Senate in the final hours of fall veto session, early Halloween morning.
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.
⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 20 at 3:30AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 19
78° 58°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Debate grows as states consider teacher strike bans
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Many states are considering new policies affecting teachers’ ability to strike or participate in protests, and education officials and labor advocates continue to debate the...
American gasoline prices increase most in one week since 2020
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square American gasoline prices continued to rise on Friday and are up the most of any week since 2022. Iran widened attacks on energy-producing countries near...
Presidents, governor honor late civil rights leader Jackson; mayor says tax the rich
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Former President Barack Obama said his path to the White House was laid by late civil rights...
Illinois Quick Hits: Rockford sex abuse suspect arrested
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State Police say a tip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children led to...
Lawmakers concerned over taxpayer burden of Iran conflict
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As U.S. military operations in Iran continue with no end in sight, lawmakers are debating whether to authorize billions in taxpayer money for the Pentagon....
Pritzker pushes back on Megaproject tax concerns
By Sean Reed | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker pushed back on the idea that proposed legislation, dubbed the “Megaprojects Bill,”...
Measles spreads across some Southwestern states
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square The area along the Arizona and Utah border is continuing to see the measles outbreak that started in August, and California and Colorado have seen...
EXCLUSIVE: Inside one Michigan town’s fight against solar expansion
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square In Fayette Township in southwest Michigan, a series of utility-scale solar projects has drawn hundreds of residents to local meetings and sparked a grassroots campaign...
Trump demands unconditional surrender from Iran, mentions regime change
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump has said he will accept nothing less from Iran than unconditional surrender, according to a social media post on Friday morning. “There...
Illinois pols react to Homeland Security secretary’s exit, reassignment
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A member of Congress from Illinois says it is not enough for President Donald Trump to fire...
Illinois quick hits: Appeals court vacates use of force injunction; Charges filed for possession of sex abuse materials; Gas prices keep rising
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Appeals court vacates use of force injunction The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has vacated U.S. District Court Judge Sara...
U.S. cut 92,000 jobs in ‘dismal’ February report, unemployment 4.4%
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, a significant cut after January saw a better-than-expected report, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The...
Board Splits Along Party Lines to Approve 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda
Will County Board Meeting | February 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board adopted its 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda in a 10-9 vote, establishing the county's priorities for lobbying efforts...
