WATCH: Gun ban cases and the Supreme Court; English and CDLs; Don Tracy eyes Senate

November 21, 2025/

Spread the love

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop discusses the status of various challenges to gun bans from Illinois, including a challenge to Cook County’s ban being sent to a U.S. Supreme Court conference for Dec. 5. The Barnett case, where a district judge ruled against the law on the merits after developing a substantial record from a four day bench trial, remains in the appeals court after a hearing nearly two months ago.

Bishop also talks live with Illinois state Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, about legislation he’s filed to do away with Illinois policy that grants standard drivers licenses to noncitizens. Niemerg also reacts to numbers provided to The Center Square from Illinois State Police showing the numbers of English Language Proficiency exam failures for Commercial Drivers License holders.

Finally, Bishop shares a conversation with one of the Republican candidates running for the open U.S. Senate seat. Don Tracy shares his thoughts about the crowded primary field, his opposition to Democrat political philosophies and the impact of the recent federal government shutdown.

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

Contractors Clash on Cause of Elementary School Leaks; Committee Weighs Window Replacement

Beecher School Board Facilities Committee Meeting | November 24, 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher School District 200-U Facilities Committee reviewed proposals for replacing windows at the Elementary School but paused...

Frankfort Turns to County for Wildlife & Dangerous Animal Control

Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Village of Frankfort has entered into a two-year agreement with Will County Animal Protection Services to handle calls regarding bats...

JJC Foundation Director Kristin Mulvey to Retire After 25 Years of Transformative Leadership

Joliet Junior College Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:Kristin Mulvey, the longtime Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and the JJC Foundation, was honored by the Board of Trustees as...

Attack foiled in Ft. Worth day before National Guard troops shot in WDC

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Another Afghan-related terrorist attack was foiled one day before two National Guardsmen were shot in Washington, D.C., federal authorites said Saturday. The alleged perpetrators were...

Hundreds of flights canceled in Chicago as winter storm wreaks havoc

By Dan McCaleb | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – More than 1,000 flights were canceled or delayed at Chicago's airports Saturday as a winter storm threatened...

WATCH: IL legislator wants more transparency for taxpayer funded credit cards

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Democratic state legislator is looking to require more transparency for how local governments in Illinois use...

Beecher Officials Review Recreational Fire Rules Following Smoke Complaints

Village of Beecher Meeting | November 24, 2025 Article Summary: Beecher Village President Marcy Meyer initiated a discussion regarding potential updates to the village's recreational fire ordinance following resident complaints...

Crete “Group Care” Home Approved for Senior Living

Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board unanimously approved a special use permit for a senior group care home in Crete Township. The facility...

Fiscal Fallout: States continue to increase budgets despite end of COVID emergency

By Arthur KaneThe Center Square States around the country, hooked on billions of federal dollars that flooded in during COVID, don't want the party to end. But the pandemic subsided...

Colorado lost record $24 million to data scams in 2024

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado residents lost a record high $24 million to personal data scams in 2024, according to a data forensics firm. That was four times the...

Trump vows to pause migration after D.C. shooting

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Thursday he will pause migration from some countries following the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House. The...

Assaults against ICE up 1,153% in 11 months

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Assaults against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are up 1,153% in 11 months, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. As ICE officers...

Illinois quick hits: Deer harvest totals; IHSA voting begins

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Deer harvest totals Illinois hunters harvested a preliminary total of 51,409 deer during the first weekend of the state’s firearm deer...

Texas officials seek to establish Turning Point chapters

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Texas officials are seeking a partnership with the conservative organization Turning Point USA to place chapters on every college and high school campus in the...

National Guard member shot near White House dies

By Kim JarrettThe Center Square One of the National Guard members shot near the White House on Wednesday died from her injuries, President Donald Trump said. U.S. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom,...

BEECHER LOCAL