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.
⚠️ 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
Chicago aldermen call out transportation dept. over Complete Streets, bike lanes
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Chicago alderman says the city’s Complete Streets program is a disaster that’s costing taxpayers hundreds of...
Exclusive: Teachers forced to un-teach social media claims
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Teachers across the country say social media misinformation is affecting instruction, with many spending class time correcting inaccurate details students learned online, according to a...
Illinois quick hits: Moody’s predicts static job growth in Illinois
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Moody's predicts static job growth in Illinois According to a report prepared by Moody’s Analytics for the Illinois Commission on Government...
Trump’s proposed firing rule could save taxpayers $6.1 million yearly
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration proposed a rule on Tuesday to change the appeals process when a federal employee is fired, with possible savings of $6.1 million...
‘Very selfish’: EU sanctions on Russia fertilizer will weaken U.S., food security
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Sanctions the European Union is attempting to put on Russian fertilizer to punish the country’s invasion of Ukraine will unintentionally weaken the United States, hurt...
Seattle’s FIFA World Cup 2026 windfall: Opportunities and risks
By Brett DavisThe Center Square There is no doubt that Seattle’s hosting of six matches this summer as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will have a major economic...
WATCH: ‘Waters Edge’ tax breaks would end if California bill passes
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated since its original publication to add a video. Corporations would no longer be able to get billions of...
Election security takes center stage as GOP lawmakers push three reform bills
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, Republicans in Congress are pushing forward multiple bills that would standardize election security requirements nationwide. All three pieces of...
Johnson wants to extend rules blocking Congress from voting on Trump’s tariffs
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson wants to delay a congressional vote on President Donald Trump's tariffs until July, but GOP members could join Democrats to...
FIGHT Act targets animal cruelty, illegal gambling, trafficking
By Lauren JessopThe Center Square Despite strong laws against it, animal fighting – most commonly dogfighting and cockfighting – continues to surface in Pennsylvania and across the country. Advocates and...
White House says Trump can protect ranchers while importing more beef
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The White House said it can protect U.S. ranchers while still importing additional beef from Argentina despite concerns from U.S. lawmakers in cattle states. "Both...
Warrants outline possible criminal probe of 2020 Georgia elections
By Kim JarrettThe Center Square Warrants unsealed in Georgia show an FBI investigation, possibly criminal, into the 2020 presidential election won by Joe Biden over Donald Trump. In Fulton County,...
White House stands behind Commerce Secretary amid Epstein disclosures
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump continues to back Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick after Lutnick admitted having visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private island before a Senate committee Tuesday....
Health & Safety Committee: District 3 Board Member Pushes for Expanded Animal Control Services in Monee, Crete
Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | February 5, 2026 Article Summary: Will County Board Member Daniel J. Butler (District 3) urged Animal Protection Services to establish intergovernmental agreements with...
