WATCH: Use of Guard debated; Trump singles out Pritzker on AI; Property tax ruling

WATCH: Use of Guard debated; Trump singles out Pritzker on AI; Property tax ruling

December 12, 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 reviews heated moments from separate U.S. House and Senate committee hearings that touched on the use of the National Guard for public safety around federal immigration enforcement.

Bishop also discusses the status of regulations on artificial intelligence and President Donald Trump’s latest executive order concerning a unified front for regulation. Trump singled out Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker as a “totally unreasonable person.”

Finally, Bishop discusses a story from Legal Newsline about Cook County’s property tax sale system being found unconstitutional by a federal judge. The ruling comes as activists in Chicago urge taxpayer to boycott their property taxes, which help Illinois being the state with the highest property taxes in the country.

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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Bessent spars with lawmakers over tariffs, Trump lawsuits

WATCH: Bessent spars with lawmakers over tariffs, Trump lawsuits

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Lawmakers grilled Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the Trump administration’s tariff policies and high profile lawsuits in the administration. Bessent, speaking before the Senate Banking,...

WATCH: Senate Dems: ‘We in Illinois need to tax’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Senate Democrats are pushing for higher taxes on digital advertising, billionaires and corporations. At the Illinois...
Poll: Americans say cutting government spending is best way to reduce debt

Poll: Americans say cutting government spending is best way to reduce debt

By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square A majority of Americans say cutting government spending is the best way to lower debt and costs, a new poll from the National Taxpayers Union...
Illinois senator seeks immediate expulsions for student sexual assault

Illinois senator seeks immediate expulsions for student sexual assault

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator is renewing a push to change state law to require the immediate...
Minnesota protest investigations spark free speech debate

Minnesota protest investigations spark free speech debate

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As the Trump administration moves forward with investigations around protests in Minneapolis, free speech groups are raising red flags. Aaron Terr, director of public advocacy...
HBO MAX

HBO Max Orders Cop Drama Pilot ‘American Blue’ to Film in Joliet

Article Summary: HBO Max has ordered a pilot for a new police drama titled "American Blue," with production scheduled to begin in Joliet and Chicago this April. Starring Milo Ventimiglia...
Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-sheriff employee ordered to repay $35,000

Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-sheriff employee ordered to repay $35,000

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A judge has ordered a former Cook County Sheriff’s office employee to pay more than $35,000 in...
Routh sentenced to life in prison for assassination attempt on Trump

Routh sentenced to life in prison for assassination attempt on Trump

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Ryan Routh, the North Carolina native who lived in Hawaii, has been sentenced to life in prison on conviction of going to Florida attempting to...
INVESTIGATION: Wisconsin university closes DEI unit but keeps most staff working on equity issues

INVESTIGATION: Wisconsin university closes DEI unit but keeps most staff working on equity issues

By Jared StrongThe Center Square After concerns were raised about spending on DEI, the University of Wisconsin-Madison shuttered a department but kept most of the staff and their titles working...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Will County Public Works Advances $1.9 Million Improvement for Wilmington-Peotone Road

Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee has authorized a nearly $2 million contract for Phase I...
Chicago’s $41 billion financial hole exposes city’s pension crisis

Chicago’s $41 billion financial hole exposes city’s pension crisis

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago finished fiscal year 2024 with a $41.1 billion gap between the money it has available...
Will Dial-A-Ride Service

Will County Public Works: Access Will County Dial-a-Ride Expands to All 24 Townships, Eliminating Borders

Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 Article Summary:In a major overhaul of county transit, officials presented a quarterly report confirming that the Access Will County Dial-a-Ride...
Murder Suspect

Suspect Captured in Execution-Style Murder of Momence Bar Owner

Article Summary: Authorities have arrested a 47-year-old Indiana man in connection with the fatal shooting of Courtney Drysdale, the owner of a bar in rural Momence. The suspect was apprehended...
Early voting starts Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions

Early voting starts Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Early voting is scheduled to begin Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions for the state’s Democratic and Republican...
Beecher Fire Protection District graphic.2

Beecher Fire District Imposes Fees for Excessive Lift Assists

Beecher Fire Protection District Meeting | December 18, 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new ordinance establishing fees for "excessive" lift assists....