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.
⚠️ Flood Watch issued June 11 at 10:05AM CDT until June 11 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 10
82° 59°
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Op-Ed: If Illinois wants clean energy, it needs data centers
By LyLena Estabine | Illinois Policy InstituteThe Center Square If Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to reach his environmental and economic goals, data centers will need to be central to...
Illinois senator’s bill on transgender ‘mental illness’ sparks debate
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Sen. Andrew Chesney, R–Freeport, is pushing legislation that would classify transgenderism as a mental illness...
Lawmaker says Illinois behind 44 states in legislative transparency
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House Minority Leader Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, is renewing her bid to increase transparency in...
Illinois Quick Hits: Foreign national faces harboring, forced labor charges
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Honduran citizen residing in Waukegan has been indicted for allegedly bringing illegal aliens into the United...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Legislative Committee for February 3, 2026
Legislative Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 The Will County Legislative Committee convened on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to finalize its federal priorities and receive updates on state and national...
Village to Revise Noise Ordinance Following Trucking Complaints
Village of Beecher Meeting | February 9, 2026 Article Summary: The Village of Beecher plans to update its zoning ordinance to address ambiguous language regarding noise violations. The move follows...
Health & Safety Committee: Opioid Overdose Deaths Drop to Zero in January as Behavioral Health Department Expands Role
Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | February 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Health Department reported a significant decline in opioid overdose deaths, recording zero fatalities in January...
Illinois GOP state reps call on Dems to stop taxing s’mores, other goods
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House Republicans are calling on Democrats to oppose new tax proposals. State Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton,...
Illinois Quick Hits: Tangent to expand in Montgomery
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced on Wednesday that a...
Retail advocate: Swipe fees ruling is largest Main St. ‘relief package’ in Illinois
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A retail business advocate says a federal judge’s ruling to uphold the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act paves...
Smith & Wesson wins appeal chance in Highland Park lawsuits
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Gunmaker Smith & Wesson will get a chance to appeal a Lake County judge's decision clearing the way for the families of...
Illinois Republicans say federal student data probe may reach Illinois State after Tufts review
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The McLean County Republican Party says a newly announced federal investigation into Tufts University could have...
Washington Township Trustees Move to Create Official Emails to Comply with FOIA
Washington Township Board Meeting | Jan. 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Washington Township Board on Monday discussed a new social media and electronic communication policy, leading to a decision to...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Public Works & Transportation Committee for February 3, 2026
Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to approve various infrastructure investments and...
