WATCH: $10M campaign finance fine dropped; Digital ID unveiled, Chicagoans speak up
November 19, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews actions taken by the Illinois State Board of Elections in regards to a nearly $10 million fine for campaign finance violations with Illinois Senate President Don Harmon’s campaign committee.
Bishop also shares recent public comments from residents of the city of Chicago about the city’s finances and immigration policies ahead of a new budget year with the prospect of a slew of tax increases to pay for a more than billion dollar budget deficit.
Finally, Bishop shares an announcement from the Illinois Secretary of State about the launch of digital ID for Apple devices.
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: Ex-Illinois governor pushes for ‘millionaire’s surcharge’ amendment
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The push continues to have voters if Illinois should be a 3% surcharge on millionaires. Former Illinois...
WATCH: Illinois continues work to reduce state’s high SNAP error rate
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State agency officials continue to address the error rate with Illinois’ handling of federal food subsidies. During...
WATCH: Libertarian concerns persist as IL Sec of State announces IDs for Apple Wallet
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Digital IDs have gone live in Illinois, but libertarians say the move makes it easier for governments...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzkers meets the Pope; Broadview to close street outside ICE facility
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzkers meets the Pope Gov. J.B. Pritzker says it was an honor for he and the first lady to meet with...
‘Ghost projects’ haunt power grid planners and taxpayers
By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the country braces for a surge in electricity demand driven by large energy users like...
WATCH: $10M campaign finance fine dropped; Digital ID unveiled, Chicagoans speak up
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 reviews actions taken...
Will County Executive Committee Delays Vote on School Choice Referendum
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | November 13, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board’s Executive Committee on Thursday, November 13, 2025, postponed a decision on whether to place an...
Beecher School Board Approves Contracts for High School Doors, Janitorial Services
Beecher Board of Education Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher Board of Education approved multiple contracts, including over $26,000 to complete a door replacement project at the...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Washington Township Board for October 2025
Washington Township Board Meeting | October 2025 The Washington Township Board meeting on Monday, October 6, 2025, was marked by the sudden resignation of Trustee Teresa Peterson, who submitted her...
Chicago tax proposals draw concern over legality, ‘economic death spiral’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s allies have launched a seven-figure campaign to support his 2026 budget proposal, but...
Illinois quick hits: Former governor proposes millionaire’s surcharge; digital state ID launched
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Former governor proposes millionaire's surcharge Former Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing for a state constitutional amendment requiring Illinois millionaires to pay...
Elections board drops campaign finance fines against IL Senate President
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The campaign finance violation against Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, is over after the Illinois...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Beecher for November 10, 2025
Village of Beecher Meeting | November 10, 2025 The Beecher Village Board on Monday, November 10, 2025, took several key actions, including the establishment of a new financial assistance program...
