WATCH: Pritzker reacts to Trump’s address; Immigration enforcement continues
December 18, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from Wednesday evening primetime address to the nation from President Donald Trump and Gov. J.B. Pritzker‘s reaction.
Bishop also jumps into the latest 24 hours of continued immigration enforcement in the Chicagoland area, including an interaction between immigration enforcement official Gregory Bovino and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss. This comes as the Illinois Accountability Commission prepares to meet today to provide an avenue for people to provide testimony about the impacts immigration enforcement.
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.
Today Jun 13
70° 50°
Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Latest News Stories
Group seeks clarity on local IL governments using tax dollars for polling
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A taxpayer advocacy group warns local governments could be using tax dollars to promote tax increase proposals....
Illinois congressmen call for accountability after fatal Minneapolis shooting
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois members of Congress are speaking out following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal...
Staff Survey Shows Split Preference for Emergency Days
Crete-Monee School District 201-U Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: Dr. Perkins presented the results of a recent calendar survey completed by district staff regarding the handling of emergency...
Judge ends anti-ICE case, jumps into IL Dems’ bid to freeze ICE
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square After a federal appeals court signaled it would rebuke her decision restraining ICE from using force against those interfering with immigration enforcement...
WATCH: Candidate investigates Medicaid spending; Diversity program audit urged
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares a conversation with...
TCS stories about Illinois’ diversity agency prompt call for audit
By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois diversity commissioners are paid tens of thousands more than other state boards but aren't required to...
Landfill Committee Advances Plan to Purchase Fourth Compressor for RNG Plant
Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The Landfill Committee voted to move forward with engineering estimates for a fourth compressor at the Prairie View Renewable...
Ad-Hoc Committee Retains Noise Ordinance Despite Enforcement Frustrations
Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee voted to retain the county’s public nuisance noise ordinance despite members describing...
Everyday Economics: Fiscal reality meets Central Bank caution in week ahead
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square At Davos, Citadel CEO Ken Griffin pointed to Japan's bond selloff – where super-long yields surged and 40-year yields hit record highs – as an...
Tariff uncertainty here to stay regardless of Supreme Court ruling
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Even as small businesses wait for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on President Donald Trump's tariff authority, a supply chain expert says uncertainty around...
Nearly 1M without power as massive winter storm rages
By The Center SquareThe Center Square Nearly a million American homes are without power as a massive winter storm sweeps the country. According to poweroutage.com, the most impacted areas are...
Walz deploys 1,500 National Guard troops in Twin Cities
By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square About 1,500 Minnesota National Guard troops went from standby to active following the second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday. Gov. Tim...
Will County Commits $15M to Transfer Sanitary District Operations to City of Joliet
Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board has authorized an intergovernmental agreement to dissolve the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District and transfer its water...
