WATCH: Commission makes ICE accountability referral; Rep says Pritzker wrong on prices
December 19, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop provides moments and reaction from and around the first Illinois Accountability Commission hearing. Appointees of Gov. J.B. Pritzker heard testimony and public comment about the impact of federal immigration enforcement in a state with migrant sanctuary policies.
Bishop also shares more perspective from legislators on both sides of the aisle about prices and the policies that drive them, and the cost of energy with Illinois lawmakers discussing policies around planned coal and natural gas plant closures and the focus on alternatives like battery storage.
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.
⚠️ Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 11 at 2:25PM CDT until June 11 at 3:15PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
⚠️ Tornado Watch issued June 11 at 2:02PM CDT until June 11 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
⚠️ Flood Watch issued June 11 at 12:39PM CDT until June 11 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 10
84° 58°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Health & Safety Committee: Monee Church Kitchen Project Highlighted in County Health Impact Report
Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | February 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County MAPP Collaborative presented its impact report, highlighting ARPA-funded community kitchen projects in Monee and Joliet...
WATCH/EXCLUSIVE: Bill limits governor’s emergency powers
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square The governor’s ability to act unilaterally during states of emergency would be limited, if a new California bill becomes law. Assembly Bill 1835, introduced by...
U.S. colleges report $5.2B in foreign funds for 2025
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square American colleges and universities have received $5.2 billion in foreign gifts and contracts in 2025, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education. The...
U.S. farm bill drops, outlines 5-year funding
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House Agriculture Committee dropped the text of the U.S. farm bill Friday, an 802-page package authorizing various nutrition, rural development and farm support...
Group: Raising minimum wage could cause drastic inflation
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have proposed raising the state’s minimum wage to $27 per hour in 2032, but an...
Denver City Council members advance bill to ban ICE masks
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A Denver City Council committee has approved a proposal to ban law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from wearing masks. The proposal from Councilmembers...
U.S. Ed Dept. investigates Puyallup wrestler’s sexual assault allegation by trans athlete
By Brett DavisThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education is investigating the Puyallup School District for how it handled an alleged sexual assault of a female wrestler late last...
FRESH program would provide one-time SNAP cash; critics question cost
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As new federal work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program take effect this month, Illinois...
Partial government shutdown imminent as Congress leaves town
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Lawmakers have left town after failing to pass the Homeland Security full-year funding bill, ensuring a partial shutdown of DHS beginning Saturday. This is the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Man sentenced for robbing postal worker
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A federal judge has sentenced a Chicago man to four years and three months in prison for...
Sultan in Epstein files resigns, global turmoil continues
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square An executive of a Dubai-based company resigned on Friday after documents released by the Justice Department tied him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Sultan...
Temporary protected status terminated for Yemen nationals
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Yemeni nationals in the U.S. on temporary protective status will have 60 days to leave the country. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced...
Advocates argue new data center restrictions might close Illinois market
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have proposed stricter regulations on data centers in the state, but an industry advocate says...
