WATCH: Pritzker’s office ‘troubled’ by ‘peacekeeper’ photo; 2 years of cashless bail
September 19, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the reaction from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office to the reports the governor took a picture with a “peacekeeper” who later was accused in a deadly smash-and-grab burglary. State Rep. La Shawn Ford reacts to the effectiveness of violence interruption grants.
Bishop also shares comments from both sides about the two year anniversary of the state ending cash bail and the prospects of federal tax dollars being withheld from Illinois for having ended money bond.
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
WATCH: Reaction to Charlie Kirk’s assassination pour in; Freedom Caucus discusses 2026
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 some of...
Illinois quick hits: Freedom Caucus remembers Kirk; new chief judge for Cook County
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Freedom Caucus remembers Kirk The Illinois Freedom Caucus says members are “devastated and horrified” by the murder of conservative radio and...
Illinois quick hits: DOJ seizes illegal vaping products in Bensenville; NFIB optimism index rises
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DOJ seizes illegal vaping products in Bensenville A major raid in a Chicago suburb has led to the seizure of hundreds...
Customs and Border Protection seizes $86.5 million in illegal vapes
By Brett Rowland | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the seizure Wednesday of 4.7 million illegal e-cigarette products with an...
WATCH: Pritzker says political violence ‘has got to stop’ in reaction to Kirk shooting
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Popular political activist and Illinois native Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday while at a public...
IL Secretary of State candidate talks issues, Giannoulias yet to announce
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has yet to announce plans for reelection in 2026, an...
Illinois quick hits: Universities report increased enrollment; man sentenced for pipe bombs
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Universities report increased enrollment The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has a total enrollment of more than 60,000 students for the first...
Bipartisan group of lawmakers aim to increase migrant physician jobs
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A bipartisan group of Congressional lawmakers wants to expand a program that allows noncitizens to fill physician vacancies in rural areas of the United States...
WATCH: Border czar Homan considered turning Trump’s offer down
By Greg BishopThe Center Square Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's border czar, addressed the State Freedom Caucus Foundation Friday night in Dallas.
WATCH: Gov. Desantis addresses State Freedom Caucus Foundation in Dallas
By Greg BishopThe Center Square Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the State Freedom Caucus Foundation Friday night in Dallas.
Higher ed spending up as enrollment plummets at Illinois universities
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A former state lawmaker says Illinois is now tops in the nation on per-student spending in higher...
World’s largest retailer struggles to keep costs down as tariffs hit
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The world's largest retailer says it's doing everything it can to keep prices low as its costs increase each week due to the tariffs at...
Boston judge orders Trump to give back Harvard funding
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A Boston federal judge this week blocked the Trump administration’s $2.2 billion funding freeze against Harvard after the government's claims of antisemitism. The U.S. District...
