WATCH: GOP U.S. Sen. candidate Tracy on shutdown, tariffs; state expands sanctuary
November 4, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks live with Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy about the government shutdown, politics over immigration, the use of tariffs and more.
Bishop also reviews floor debate over a bill to expand the state’s migrant sanctuary policies on the Illinois House floor as the clock struck midnight into Halloween. Democrats say the measure reigns in Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Republicans worry it opens state and local police and various institutions up to civil lawsuits.
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 13
71° 51°
Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Cloudy
Latest News Stories
AG candidate seeks to reform SAFE-T Act
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois attorney general candidate launched a new initiative to reform the SAFE-T Act. The law enacted...
Supreme Court slaps down energy company suit
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, declined to overturn a lawsuit brought against an energy company related to its oil and gas pipeline....
Supreme Court appears skeptical of migrant parole case
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The justices of the U.S. Supreme Court appeared skeptical on Wednesday about expanding admissibility standards for immigrants under suspicion of a crime. The high court...
Poll: 69% nationwide believe data center costs outweigh benefits
By Jon StyfThe Center Square A majority of adults in the U.S. believe that the costs of data centers outweigh the benefits with 69% believing the costs are greater and...
Whitney Young Pitching Shuts Down Lincoln-Way Central in 6-0 Defeat
The Lincoln-Way Central varsity softball team struggled to find its rhythm both at the plate and in the field on Tuesday afternoon, falling 6-0 to Whitney Young in a non-conference...
WATCH: Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez still mum about WA’s new income tax
By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square In a closely watched congressional race in southwest Washington’s 3rd District, where Republicans hope to flip a seat, campaign dollars are pouring in for both...
Trump bucks New York GOP in 21st congressional district primary race
By Chris WadeThe Center Square President Donald Trump has weighed in on a New York GOP primary race to replace outgoing Rep. Elise Stefanik, endorsing a political newcomer over the...
Op-Ed: Senate Bill 3070 provides sensible solution for students, manufacturers
By Ben BarnettThe Center Square Illinois manufacturers face a serious problem. We have modern, high-tech facilities running at full capacity, but we struggle to find the young talent needed to...
Supreme Court sides with service member in war zone suit
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, ruled in favor of an injured service member who sued a military contractor for negligence in a...
Illinois millionaire’s tax moves closer to November ballot
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A measure giving Illinois voters the opportunity to consider a millionaire’s tax is one step closer to...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker issues order to ban state workers from insider trading
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued an executive order he says will bolster state laws to prevent insider...
Oldest preserve expansion pushes acreage past 24,000 milestone
The Forest Preserve’s first acquisition of the year not only expands the District’s oldest preserve, it also pushes total acreage past the 24,000 mark. On March 27, the Forest Preserve...
IL Supreme Court can’t just oust judges over speech: New filing
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square CHICAGO — The Illinois Supreme Court can't both overstep the bounds of their constitutional authority by ousting a judge for publicly supporting...
