WATCH: Pritzker reacts to Trump’s address; Immigration enforcement continues
December 18, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from Wednesday evening primetime address to the nation from President Donald Trump and Gov. J.B. Pritzker‘s reaction.
Bishop also jumps into the latest 24 hours of continued immigration enforcement in the Chicagoland area, including an interaction between immigration enforcement official Gregory Bovino and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss. This comes as the Illinois Accountability Commission prepares to meet today to provide an avenue for people to provide testimony about the impacts immigration enforcement.
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.
⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 8 at 12:44PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 7
80° 70°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Trump targets 60 economies with forced labor tariffs
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Trade Representative proposed tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 economies, including Canada, Mexico, Japan and the European Union, arguing that...
Lawmakers probe $1.2B Ohio Medicaid fraud
By Christine Johnson and Andrew RiceThe Center Square Federal lawmakers called for greater fraud enforcement in the Medicaid Waiver Program on Wednesday, citing concerns over recent reports of $1.2 billion...
Debt burden, pensions burden Chicago Public Schools
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The author of a new Civic Federation report says taking on more debt would be a death...
Nearly 100,000 Illinois Uber, Lyft drivers may soon be able to unionize
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposal that would allow many Uber and Lyft drivers to form a sector-wide union and engage...
Michigan lawmakers spar over Rx Kids program amid oversight concerns
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan lawmakers are sparring over the future of the state's Rx Kids program, a cash-assistance initiative that has received more than $300 million in taxpayer...
UPDATED: Waters, other incumbents ahead in LA congressional races
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated with new results from Wednesday morning. Democratic incumbents topped the vote counts in Los Angeles congressional districts in...
GOP rep: New budget shows ‘addiction’ to taxes
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Illinois’ new budget for fiscal year 2027 protects working families from new taxes,...
Retirees face $5,500 average cut to annual Social Security benefits in 2032
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Over 60 million Americans could see their monthly Social Security checks slashed by $500 on average starting in 2032, according to a new report analyzing...
Illinois Quick Hits: Comptroller Mendoza announces run for Chicago mayor
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is running for mayor of Chicago. Mendoza said in a campaign video released...
Georgia doctors face scrutiny as they cozy up to injury lawyers
By Daniel Fisher | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The Instagram post shows Georgia personal-injury attorney Harris Weinstein, aka “The Georgia Pitbull,” smiling with Dr. Amin Oskouei, owner of Ortho Sport...
Wiener, Gallagher, Gray lead in congressional races
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square As results poured in for several congressional races Tuesday night, incumbent U.S. Rep. Adam Gray, California Assemblymember James Gallagher and California state Sen. Scott Wiener...
Desmond, Wilpert ahead in District 48 race to succeed Issa
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Republican Jim Desmond has a big lead in the race for California Congressional District 48. The race will decide who replaces U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa....
Candidates advance in redrawn congressional districts
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Several candidates across altered congressional districts in California are projected to head to November’s general election. California voters passed Proposition 50, a measure that altered...
