WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 15th, 2025
August 15, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks with gun rights advocate Todd Vandermyde about the latest filing from the state defending Illinois’ gun ban in the federal appeals court. Read the filing here.
Bishop also provides highlights from Republican Day at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, from stage speeches and off-stage conversations with candidates and elected officials.
Finally, Bishop shares the latest back and forth in the debate over congressional maps as Texas Democrats may be heading back to the Lone Star State to face off with Republicans looking to give the GOP more seats in Congress.
Watch the full program below. 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.
Part 1
Part 2
Latest News Stories
Economists say Trump’s tariff play could boost trade deficits
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Economists told the U.S. Supreme Court that President Donald Trump's plan to reduce U.S. trade deficits will backfire, exacerbating the underlying issue the president used...
Amnesty International condemns U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Amnesty International, a human rights organization, condemned U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific that have killed 57 people...
Federal Reserve cuts key interest rate for second time this year
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter-point on Wednesday for the second time this year, not nearly as much as President Donald Trump...
Immigrants grow Michigan’s population, advocates say
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Detroit’s population grew for the second year in a row after years of steady decline, according to census data. Advocacy groups attribute much of the...
WATCH: Trump says he can’t run for third term after months of conjecture
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he's disappointed he can't seek another term as president after months of speculation that he might try to...
Senate votes to approve ‘Bat Week’; no vote to end shutdown
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. senators have remained locked in a government shutdown fight for nearly a month, but unanimously agreed Wednesday to designate Oct. 24 to Oct. 31,...
Florida to crack down on H-1B visas, following Trump’s lead
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square American graduates will be prioritized by the state public university system in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday. The second-term Republican said he is directing...
Expert: Arizona’s 2026 budget faces Big Beautiful Bill impact
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square The biggest impact on Arizona's 2026 budget will come from the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to Glenn Farley, the Common Sense Institute’s...
Research institute to Congress: Prioritize American healthcare over noncitizens
By Tate MillerThe Center Square The American First Policy Institute is calling on Congress to prioritize American patients over illegal aliens and expressed its disapproval toward the illegal alien-favoring proposal...
Illinois beef producers say Trump’s Argentina beef plan hurts farmers
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois beef producers express frustration over President Donald Trump’s plan to expand beef imports from Argentina,...
Illinois quick hits: Bailey family announces memorial services; digital currency scam losses
By The Center SquareThe Center Square Bailey family announces memorial services Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey has announced details of memorial services for his family members who died in a...
WATCH: Expect tax and fee increases for veto; Democrats want more sanctuary policies
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews the prospects...
Will County Health Department Pleads for $1 Million to Avert ‘Weakened Public Health System’
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: Leaders and board members from the Will County Health Department made an impassioned plea for $1 million in county...
