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 10:05AM CDT until June 11 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 10
82° 59°
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Nation’s first primary states to begin early voting
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Early voting has begun or is about to begin in states with the earliest 2026 midterm election primaries. Illinois, North Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi...
Vermont EV buses prove unreliable for transportation this winter
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Electric buses are proving unreliable this winter for Vermont's Green Mountain Transit, as it needs to be over 41 degrees for the buses to charge,...
Idaho has least childcare regulations, Vermont the most out of the 50 states
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Idaho ranks as the freest of the 50 states when it comes to childcare regulations, while Vermont is the least free, according to a new...
Will County Treasurer’s Investment Strategy Yields $6 Million in Income
Finance Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 Article Summary: County Treasurer Tim Brophy and investment managers from Stifel presented a detailed review of the county’s investment portfolio to the Finance...
Lawsuit investor Burford can upend Sysco’s $50M chicken price settlement
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Chicago federal appeals panel will allow Burford Capital, the world's largest third-party lawsuit investor, to force poultry producer Pilgrim's Pride back...
Beecher Fire Trustees Approve Employee Benefits and Vacation Payouts
Beecher Fire Protection District Meeting | December 18, 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher Fire Protection District Board approved an employment package for the administrative assistant and authorized a one-time payout...
Gas prices projected to rise if Pritzker fails to act on E10 waiver
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gas prices have dropped across the country in recent months, but the Illinois Fuel and Retail Association...
U.S. LNG exports hit new high as Turkey buys big
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square U.S. LNG exports reached a fresh record of 525.1 million cubic feet in November, with shipments to trade partners including Turkey, Egypt and several European...
Illinois Quick Hits: CTA passenger set on fire in November leaves hospital
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Chicago Transit Authority train passenger says she has been released from the hospital more than two...
House Oversight probes Rep. Ilhan Omar’s husband’s businesses
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The House Oversight Committee is investigating the rapid rise in value of two companies owned by Rep. Ilhan Omar's husband, amid concerns over financial transparency...
WATCH: IL Senate GOP proposes SAFE-T Act changes for domestic violence violations
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran says his caucus has proposed changes to the SAFE-T Act that...
Illinois open-burn bill ignites capitol clash
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposal aimed at giving local fire protection districts more oversight of open burning in unincorporated...
AMA’s medical education infused with political ideology, Do No Harm says
By Tate MillerThe Center Square In its ongoing fight against identity politics in medicine, Do No Harm exposed the American Medical Association this week for content related to identity politics...
