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
Lemon faces federal arraignment today in St. Paul church protest case
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Journalist Don Lemon is scheduled to appear in a Minnesota courtroom today to be arraigned on federal charges related to a protest that disrupted a...
Senate GOP wants companies funding lawsuits to be revealed
By John O’Brien | Legal NewslineThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans have introduced a bill targeting companies that invest in lawsuits, proposing rules that would force them to identify themselves...
Election 2026: Cooper social post is now you see it, now you don’t
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Roy Cooper vetoed mandatory requirement of photo identification in 2018. Thursday, the U.S. Senate candidate vetoed a photo of himself presenting photo ID to cast...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago mugging captured on video
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A video capturing an armed assault and robbery Thursday afternoon in Chicago has drawn millions of views...
January inflation cools to 2.4%, lowest since May
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Consumer prices rose by 0.2% overall in January, according to recent data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall, the inflation rose to...
McCuskey praises federal rollback of Endangerment Finding
By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey is praising the federal government’s decision to repeal an Obama-era scientific finding on climate change. On...
Assessor Reports Increase in Senior Exemption Income Limits
Washington Township Board Meeting | Jan. 5, 2026 Article Summary: During the January meeting, Assessor Patricia Peters informed the Washington Township Board of a new state bill that raises the...
Emergency Freezer Replacement Approved for Adult Detention Facility
Finance Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 Article Summary: The committee authorized an emergency expenditure of $155,000 to replace a failed walk-in freezer system at the Adult Detention Facility (ADF)....
California attorney general sues over alleged FERPA violation
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit this week against the U.S. Department of Education, disputing its claim that the California Department of Education...
California attorney general, Homeland Security debate mask ban
By Dave MasonThe Center Square If ultimately upheld in court, California’s ban on masks for federal immigration officers will be enforced by all law enforcement agencies despite doubts by the...
TVA to keep two coal-fired power plants operating indefinitely
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square Two coal-fired power plants in Tennessee that had been scheduled for closure in 2026 and 2028 will be kept open for the “foreseeable future” after...
Lawmakers probe nationwide child care fraud
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A bipartisan group of senators probed allegations of fraud in the child care industry on Thursday. The lawmakers called for greater transparency and more rigorous...
WATCH: Attorney cites positive impact of corruption trials 1 year after Madigan conviction
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One year after a federal jury convicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan of bribery, conspiracy, wire...
