WATCH: Primary election petitions filed; redistricting consideration for veto session
October 28, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop highlights some of the candidates that filed for ballot access for the March Democrat and Republican primary elections, including Darren Bailey Lt. Governor candidate Aaron Del Mar sharing the status of the Bailey family following last week’s tragic loss of members of the Bailey family.
Bishop also previews what could come from the start of fall veto session beginning Tuesday. Legislators could tackle energy legislation, increased taxes for the mass transit fiscal cliff and the possibility of redistricting Illinois congressional maps ahead of the 2026 election.
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.
Today Jun 3
87° 66°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Dems decide against joining fraud roundtable at White House
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Democratic attorneys general decided against attending a Tuesday roundtable at the White House to discuss fraud in welfare, including Medicaid. Speaking to reporters during a...
VA launches MDMA trial years in the making for veterans
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on Tuesday launched a clinical trial testing MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder,...
AI safety regulations advance in Springfield, despite industry concern
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A push to regulate artificial intelligence products in Illinois has taken a major step toward becoming law....
EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Border Patrol chief retires after historic drop in illegal border crossings
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Mike Banks, who was the first U.S. Border Patrol chief during President Donald Trump’s second term, has reentered retirement after helping bring illegal border crossings...
White House urges state AGs to target, punish Medicaid fraudsters
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square White House officials urged a group of state attorneys general to partner with the Trump administration to combat fraud in welfare programs and hold fraudsters...
NASA unveils $1B moon base push amid cost questions
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square NASA unveiled nearly $1 billion in new moon base contracts Tuesday as its top official called for less reliance on taxpayer funding and a faster...
Drug-discount program likely to expand in Illinois, despite lax oversight
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An initiative to expand a federal program that provides drug discounts to hospitals and clinics in Illinois...
Analyst warns Bears megaproject bill could raise taxes
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A tax policy analyst says he is glad the Cook County Treasurer’s Office issued a report on...
Chicago proposes funding tax rebates with salaries from vacant city jobs
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Five Chicago aldermen have proposed new property tax rebates to be funded by salaries for vacant city...
Ceasefire remains in effect as U.S., Iran exchange fire
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran remains in effect despite strikes against the Islamic Republic and the country’s supreme leader renewing threats against the...
Federal judges temporarily block Alabama redistricting map
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A panel of federal district court judges temporarily blocked Alabama's plan to enact its 2023 congressional map for upcoming elections. The Alabama legislature moved to...
Build America 250 Act would help Uber, Lyft with lawsuits
By Jay Brown | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal law that preempts lawsuits against rental car companies based on the negligence of the drivers may be extended to ride-share...
Supreme Court declines hearing Catholic donations case
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday denied hearing a case challenging the handling of donations in the Catholic church. The case, Conference of Catholic Bishops...
Investigation: Sanders’ anti-oligarchy tour spent $608k on elite travel
By Mark StricherzThe Center Square Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist from Vermont, has spent nearly $608,000 on private jets, chauffeured cars, and upscale hotels since last year through...
Illinois news in brief: Prosecutors charge man with using care in attempt to kill cops; Military higher education bill goes to governor; Burrito chain closes locations in Chicago area
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Prosecutors charge man with using care in attempt to kill cops Prosecutors charged a Plainfield teen with attempted murder, aggravated battery...