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A weekly feature of the top TheCenterSquare.com stories of the week, commentary from The Center Square Illinois' editors and more!

The Center Square Illinois


    • Jun 20, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 34m AVG DURATION
    • 543 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Illinois In Focus - Powered by TheCenterSquare.com

    Illinois in Focus Daily | June 20th, 2025 - 'Amending Constitution' Only Fix for Pension Debt, Illinois Legislator Says

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2025 33:59


    Greg Bishop shares a conversation with state Rep. Steven Reick, R-Woodstock, about the plan to set aside $75 million for Tier 2 pensioners and what he says is the real fix to Illinois' pension problems.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | June 19th, 2025 - Illinois Republicans File Another Lawsuit Challenging Alleged Three Readings Rule Violations

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2025 35:12


    Greg Bishop shares some of the arguments Illinois Statehouse Republicans are leveling in a new lawsuit challenging alleged violations of the state Constitution's three readings rule.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | June 18th, 2025 - Pritzker Keeps Some Non-citizen Health Care Subsidies Despite Warnings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2025 38:59


    Greg Bishop discusses Gov. J.B. Pritzker ending taxpayer subsidies for the health care of non-citizen adults while keeping the subsidies for non-citizen seniors and the warning from Republicans about the loss of federal funds if such policies continue.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | June 17th, 2025 - Prison Looms for Illinois' Former ‘Man in Charge' Madigan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2025 59:14


    (The Center Square) – Although former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was expected to pay a $2.5 million fine quickly, his time in prison won't begin until at least October. Judge John Robert Blakey ordered Madigan to immediately pay the $2.5 million, which was the maximum statutory fine the judge was allowed to impose. Madigan's 90-month prison sentence is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. on Oct. 13. The ex-speaker's defense attorneys suggested in court last Friday they would file a motion to appeal.

    Weekend Edition | Pritzker Says He's Willing to Be Arrested Defending Sanctuary Policies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2025 24:00


    (The Center Square) – In defending the state's migrant sanctuary policies, Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he'd rather be arrested than to have Illinois residents arrested improperly. Joining the governors of New York and Minnesota Thursday in front of the U.S. House Oversight Committee, U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Florida, asked the three governors for their response to threats of being arrested for allegedly impeding federal immigration enforcement with migrant sanctuary policies. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said “go for it.” Pritzker said the Trump administration “can try.” “I will stand in the way of [Trump border czar] Tom Homan going after people who don't deserve to be frightened in their communities, who don't deserve to be threatened or terrorized, I would rather that he come and arrested me than to do that to the people of my state,” Pritzker said.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | June 13th, 2025 - Highlights of Pritzker Defending IL's Migrant Sanctuary Policies During U.S. House Committee

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2025 40:14


    Greg Bishop provides highlights from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's testimony about migrant sanctuary policies to the U.S. House Oversight Committee.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | June 12th, 2025 - Chicago Braces for Immigration Enforcement Efforts Amid Protests

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2025 28:12


    Greg Bishop reviews the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement amid civil unrest. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is set to testify about migrant sanctuary policies and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson prepare for immigration enforcement and expected protests.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | June 11th, 2025 - ‘Societal Concerns' Won't Hold Up in Court, Says IL Gun Rights Group Challenging Ban

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2025 35:40


    Greg Bishop shares some of a conversation he had with Illinois State Rifle Association's Richard Pearson about the status of the gun ban challenge in the appeals court.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx 

    Illinois in Focus Daily | June 10th, 2025 - IL Gun Ban Challengers File Final Briefs in Federal Appeals Court Case

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2025 44:18


    Greg Bishop reviews the latest filings in the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in the case challenging Illinois' gun laws. Follow the links to the separate briefs: Barnette: https://www.thecentersquare.com/tncms/asset/editorial/a871ecda-f114-4df5-a5ba-b141b14bef1d/ Langley: https://www.thecentersquare.com/tncms/asset/editorial/1c475803-2d23-4675-ad8d-b81b99c4c868/ Harrel: https://www.thecentersquare.com/tncms/asset/editorial/9cd718ad-87f6-435f-b7d7-e998f95f801e/ FFL IL: https://www.thecentersquare.com/tncms/asset/editorial/8639fad7-1565-4d69-a0d4-3c9fd123faa1/

    Illinois in Focus Daily | June 9th, 2025 - Senate Candidate on la Immigration Riots, Illinois' Sanctuary Status and the ‘Big Beautiful Bill'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 42:31


    Greg Bishop talks live with Dr. Pamela Denise Long who is running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate to fill the seat being vacated by Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield. Long discusses the latest in the debate around immigration enforcement and use of the National Guard in California, Illinois' migrant sanctuary status and President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill."Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Weekend Edition | Republicans Ask Court to Find Illinois' Budget Violated Three Readings Rule

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2025 24:00


    (The Center Square) – Several Republican state legislators say they will be irreparably harmed if a court doesn't stop the state from enacting the recently approved Illinois state budget. They filed a lawsuit in Sangamon County Circuit Court laying out how the final language of the 3,300 page budget bill was filed with just 30 hours before the legislature was set to adjourn. The legislators argue they needed between 70 to 119 hours. State Sen. Andrew Chesney explains the Three Readings Rule is being abused by Democratic leadership. “And the Democrats have a long tradition of short circuiting that process,” Chesney, R-Freeport, told The Center Square. “And brokering these deals behind closed doors and then presenting the final package of these bills with no time to mount opposition, no time to ask all the questions and no time to truly debate these issues.”

    Illinois in Focus Daily | June 5th, 2025 - Illinois Taxes Going Up for Cell Phones, Tobacco-Related Products, Sports Betting, Corporations

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025 29:11


    Greg Bishop goes a little deeper into the tax and spend plan the Illinois Legislature approved for Gov. J.B. Pritzker's signature.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Illinois in Focus Daily | June 4th, 2025 - Illinois Approves Digital Currency Regulations

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2025 30:24


    Greg Bishop talks with Andrew Gordon, an attorney and Certified Public Accountant, who just launched Main Street Crypto PAC, a new federal political action committee. The two discuss digital currency regulations and the future of investing in crypto.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | June 3rd, 2025 - Federal Appeals Court Sides With Cook County, Illinois, in Challenge to Gun Bans

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 37:05


    Greg Bishop looks at the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court deciding to deny taking up the challenge to Maryland's gun ban, leaving open the door to a challenge to Cook County and Illinois' gun ban. This as Illinois legislators pass more measures impacting gun owners.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Illinois in Focus Daily | June 2nd, 2025 - Taxpayers Wake Up to Largest Budget in Illinois History After Long Legislative Weekend

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 41:45


    Greg Bishop provides a roundup of the long weekend at the Illinois Statehouse where the General Assembly approved the largest spending plan in state history with $1 billion more in tax revenue collections.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 30th, 2025 - IL Shell Bills: Empty Budget ‘Vehicle,' Food Safety Bill Replaced With ‘Medical Aid in Dying

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 48:00


    Greg Bishop reviews some shell bill action happening at the Illinois Statehouse in the final days with an empty budget bill passed to the House by the Senate and a measure about food safety being gutted and replaced in the House to advance "medical aid in dying" legislation.

    Weekend Edition | Some Question Pritzker's Tax ‘Veto' Pledge, Say Trump Should Cut Funding

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 24:00


    (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers still don't know how much of their money will be spent by the state of Illinois next fiscal year or whether they'll be charged higher taxes to pay for it. Saturday is the deadline for legislators to approve the annual spending plan that begins July 1. Wednesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker explained what he would veto if it's included. “I've been opposed to any taxes. They're broad based, or that would affect working families in this budget,” Pritzker told reporters.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 29th, 2025 - Illinois House Approves ‘Safe Gun Storage' Bill; Republicans Promise Lawsuits

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 37:26


    Greg Bishop airs some of the floor debate from the Illinois House approving the "safe gun storage" measure, the final step before the bill can be sent to the governor's desk.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 28th, 2025 - ‘Safe Gun Storage' Bill Passes House Committee, Ready for Final Passage

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 30:59


    Greg Bishop reviews stories impacting firearms owners with the passage of a "safe gun storage" bill out of the Illinois House Gun Violence Prevention Committee and and upcoming appeals court oral argument in the case challenging Illinois' ban on carrying concealed on mass transit.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 27th, 2025 - Illinois Legislators Have Days Left Before Adjournment With Budget Still Elusive

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 29:00


    Greg Bishop reviews some of the back and forth on where the Illinois legislature is with the annual spending plan with just a handful of days left before scheduled adjournment.

    Weekend Edition | Gov. Pritzker Says ‘Funding Is There' for Budget

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2025 24:00


    When legislators return to the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, they'll have just 11 days before the deadline to pass an annual plan on how to spend taxpayers' money. Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed his budget of nearly $55 billion in February. If approved, that'd be the most expensive spending plan in state history. Despite revenue projections coming in lower than anticipated, Pritzker said last week they already plan a tight budget. “I'm just saying, you know, we'll get there,” Pritzker said at an unrelated event. “Nobody likes to have to, you know, tighten the belt and make it all work, but our tightening is, I think, reasonable.”

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 23rd, 2025 - ‘Big, Beautiful' Bill to Impact Illinois' Non-citizen Health Care Subsides, State and Local Taxes

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 24:44


    Greg Bishop shares some of the reaction from Illinois legislators to the passage by the U.S. House of President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful" bill and how it will impact taxpayer subsidies for non-citizen health care subsidies and the state and local tax deduction for high tax states like Illinois.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 22nd, 2025 - Transgender Sports Debate Continue Erupting on Illinois House Floor

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 30:17


    Greg Bishop reviews the latest debate from the Illinois House around the issue of transgender students competing in the sport opposite of the gender they were born.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 21st, 2025 - Illinois Legislator Begin to Approve Bills for Governor's Signature in Final Days of Session

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 28:34


    Greg Bishop discusses several bills the Illinois House approved to be sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker in the final days of legislation session, including changes to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board and protections for a crucial drinking water aquifer.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 20th, 2025 - As IL GOP Slams Possible Tax Hikes, Pritzker Says ‘Funding Is There' for Budget

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 31:57


    (The Center Square) – When legislators return to the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, they'll have just 11 days before the deadline to pass an annual plan on how to spend taxpayers' money. Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed his budget of nearly $55 billion in February. If approved, that'd be the most expensive spending plan in state history. Despite revenue projections coming in lower than anticipated, Pritzker said last week they already plan a tight budget. “I'm just saying, you know, we'll get there,” Pritzker said at an unrelated event. “Nobody likes to have to, you know, tighten the belt and make it all work, but our tightening is, I think, reasonable.”

    Weekend Edition | IL House Republicans Call Out $1B for NGOs, Plan Their Own Budget Proposal

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2025 24:00


    (The Center Square) – Illinois Republicans say there is more than $1 billion of Illinois taxpayer funds going to non-government organizations with little oversight and accountability. Among the spending some members of the Illinois House Republicans highlighted was more than $14 million going to the Indo American Center. State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, said that's just a drop in the bucket. “Today, we're turning our attention to a staggering amount of taxpayer money, over $1 billion that's been funneled into politically connected non-government organizations, or NGOs,” Halbrook said during a news conference in Springfield Tuesday.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 16th, 2025 - Republican Says Illinois Should Spend $44 Billion, Not $55 Billion for Annual Budget

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 35:11


    Greg Bishop talks live with state Rep. Jed Davis about his budget proposal and the process of getting a state spending plan across the finish line.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 15th, 2025 - DOGE IL Finds $1 Billion From State Taxpayers Going to NGOs

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 42:56


    Greg Bishop talks live with former state Rep. Jeanne Ives about her efforts to highlight a billion Illinois tax dollars being sent to non-government organizations.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 14th, 2025 - Republicans Call for DOGE in Illinois, Highlighting $1B for NGOs

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 28:34


    Greg Bishop shares concerns raised by members of the Illinois House Republican caucus about more than $1 billion going to non-government organizations.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 13th, 2025 - Gun Control Group Files Appeals Brief in Illinois' Gun Ban Challenge

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 29:21


    Greg Bishop reviews the latest filing in the challenge against Illinois' gun and magazine ban in the federal appeals court.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx 

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 12th, 2025 - IL Statehouse Recognizes New Pope, Discusses Cannabis Odor, Hears Pushback Against Tax Increases

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 38:51


    Greg Bishop reviews some of the happenings out of the Illinois Statehouse late last week, including a discussion about the smell of raw cannabis being grounds for a vehicle search and pushback against more proposed tax increases.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Weekend Edition | Noem's Illinois Visit Sparks Debate Over State's Migrant Sanctuary Laws

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2025 24:00


    (The Center Square) – A visit to Springfield Wednesday by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is sparking debate over Illinois' migrant sanctuary policies. Noem flew into Springfield's airport and then went to a Springfield DHS processing center to talk with federal agents and two non-citizens being processed. The motorcade then stopped in a residential area of Springfield near downtown, where she stood with family of Illinoisans who lost lives allegedly at the hands of illegal immigrants or by fentanyl overdose. Noem urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker to cooperate with federal officials.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 8th, 2025 - Politics Erupt With Noem's Illinois Visit Focused On Migrant Sanctuaries

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 35:58


    Greg Bishop reviews the debate around public safety and politics in Illinois with a Springfield visit from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 7th, 2025 - DHS Secretary Noem Visiting IL to Highlight State's Migrant Sanctuary Policies

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 13:17


    Greg Bishop discusses the pending arrival of U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to Springfield, Illinois Wednesday. Noem is expected to discuss the state's migrant sanctuary policies the Trump administration says harms public safety.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 6th, 2025 - Illinois Hemp Regulations Elusive as Ban on Styrofoam Advances

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 25:11


    Greg Bishop discusses how there are three weeks left in the Illinois Legislature's calendar with budget details not yet fully revealed. The legislature is advancing a ban on polystyrene food containers with others discussing regulating the hemp industry.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 5th, 2025 - IL Summonsed to Federal Court to Answer DOJ's Challenge to State's E-Verify Law

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 32:38


    Greg Bishop discusses a new lawsuit the U.S. Department of Justice filed against Illinois over the state's law the DOJ says punishes employers and obscures federal employment verification practices to weed out non-citizens that are ineligible to work in the United States.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Weekend Edition | Pritzker Defends Controversial Comments as Republican Calls for Incitement Investigation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2025 24:00


    Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's defended comments he made over the weekend in New Hampshire and there was reaction from Illinois GOP Chairman Kathy Salvi.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 2nd, 2025 - Illinois Budget Talks Continue With One Month Left

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 28:17


    Greg Bishop discusses the status of the annual Illinois state budget with the deadline set for May 31. Legislators discuss tax and spend policies, including funding for non-citizen health care subsidies.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Illinois in Focus Daily | May 1st, 2025 - Chicago, Cook County Officials Defend Migrant Sanctuary Policies Amid DOJ Lawsuit

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 31:28


    Greg Bishop shares comments he got asking Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle about the ongoing U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against the state's migrant sanctuary policies.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Illinois in Focus Daily | April 30th, 2025 - Family Battles Illinois State Agency in Court to Keep Child With Disabilities Closer to Home

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 27:36


    Greg Bishop shares the story of William and Danita Dorsey who are expected back in court to keep their son Gregory in a state-run facility for individuals with disabilities closer to their southern Illinois home, rather than nearly four hours away.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | April 29th, 2025 - Trump Celebrates Immigration Enforcement for First 100 Days

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 30:23


    Greg Bishop reviews some of the points the Trump administration is highlighting 100 days into his second non consecutive term, and reaction from both sides of the aisle.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Illinois in Focus Daily | April 28th, 2025 - Property Taxes, Tariffs, & Gov. Pritzker

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 41:33


    The Center Square's Greg Bishop looks at the conversations around property taxes, tariffs, and more.

    Weekend Edition | Lawmaker: Cut Non-citizen Spending to Reform Family Farms Estate Tax

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2025 24:00


    (The Center Square) – Illinois House Republicans are calling for reforms to the state's estate tax on farmers, saying it's up to Democrats to find savings to make up for potentially millions of dollars in lost state revenue. Earlier this month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he would support a change to the estate tax for family farms as long as proponents bring forward cuts to state spending to make up for possibly lost revenue. “It's a couple few hundred million dollars of revenue to the state,” Pritzker said after Ag Day events at the Illinois State Capitol. “So … if he's able to come with his ideas about how to pay for it, then we ought to talk about it.”

    Illinois in Focus Daily | April 25th, 2025 - Pritzker's El Salvador Moves Criticized for Lack of Focus on Illinois Issues

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 31:21


    Greg Bishop looks at the agenda Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has in dealing with El Salvador as Republicans criticize the move.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Illinois in Focus Daily | April 24th, 2025 - Illinoisans Have Open U.S. Senate Seat for 2026 as Durbin Retiring

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 30:02


    Greg Bishop discusses the news of Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announcing he's not seeking reelection, which opens up the seat for voters to pick a new Senator in 2026.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | April 23rd, 2025 - Pritzker Reacts to DOJ Assertion Migrant Released From IL Jail Later Arrested for Murder

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 23:44


    Greg Bishop delves into the latest court filings challenging Illinois' migrant sanctuary policies from the U.S. Department of Justice and jointly from the state of Illinois, Cook County and the city of Chicago. He also shares Gov. J.B. Pritzker's reaction to DOJ assertions.

    Illinois in Focus Daily | April 22nd, 2025 - 'New Illinois' Members Say ‘No Thanks' to Joining Indiana

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 24:00


    Greg Bishop tracks the latest in Indiana's efforts to create a commission with Illinois to investigate redrawing the two state's boundaries to wrap some Illinois counties into Indiana, and gets reaction from members of New Illinois to that prospect.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

    Illinois in Focus Daily | April 21st, 2025 - Pritzker: “Trump Is Okay if People in Chicago Die”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 35:00


    Join The Center Square's Greg Bishop as he is back at it discussing the happenings in Springfield and across the state last week.

    Weekend Edition | Pritzker: Public Safety ‘Under Attack' by Trump

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 24:00


    (The Center Square) – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says public safety is under attack by the Trump administration. The governor spoke Thursday at a news conference intended to highlight violence intervention efforts on Chicago's Far South Side. “Public safety is under attack by the Trump administration. Over the past few months, the White House has dissolved the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, they've threatened dramatic cuts to ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), they've repealed the policy of zero tolerance for rogue gun dealers. They're making it easier for guns to flow into our communities and harder for us to fight back,” Pritzker said.

    Weekend Edition | Illinois Legislators Could Advance Pilot Program to Tax Drivers by Mile

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2025 24:00


    (The Center Square) – Illinois drivers could be taxed by the mile under a pilot program being considered at the statehouse. Senate Bill 1938 is to be discussed by members of the Transportation committee before April 11. The proposed Road Usage Charge Act would create a pilot program to test a mileage-based fee instead of motor fuel taxes for funding highways. Opponents, like Illinois Trucking Association Executive Director Matt Hart, argue the state of Illinois already has a well-functioning system in place to fund the construction of the state's roads and bridges. “That's why we supported the 2019 capital bill that has put us on the pathway to where we are today, with the state of Illinois having nearly $6 billion in road funds – $3.5 billion in the road fund and $2.3 billion in the state construction account,” Hart told The Center Square. “Clearly, the actions we took in 2019 are providing us with ample revenues for our state.”

    Illinois in Focus Daily | April 11th, 2025 - IL Senate Approves Measure Requiring Safe Gun Storage Over Gun Rights Advocates' Objections

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 23:14


    Greg Bishop airs some of the debate from Thursday evening where the Illinois Senate approved a measure requiring safe gun storage with penalties for not reporting lost and stolen firearms.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx 

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