Illinois In Focus - Powered by TheCenterSquare.com

Greg Bishop airs the latest on President Donald Trump's public safety push, saying he plans to go into Chicago with or without the support of the governor or mayor. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Greg Bishop shares some recent political polling about the race for the Republican nomination for Illinois governor, which includes the most recent candidate to announce. Former WirePoints President Ted Dabrowski announced his bid for the GOP spot Friday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(The Center Square) – Popular political activist and Illinois native Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday while at a public outdoor event in Utah. The news and video of the shooting spread online quickly. Kirk was speaking in front of at least hundreds of people at Utah Valley University for a “Prove Me Wrong” event. Video showed Kirk getting struck in the neck. President Donald Trump posted on X, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Greg Bishop shares the calls from Chicago Flips Red for the Trump administration to do more for public safety in Chicago as Gov. J.B. Pritzker says there is no emergency.

Greg Bishop shares some of the reaction from political leaders to the assassination of Turning Points USA founder Charlie Kirk, an Illinois native, and the accusations of which side of the political spectrum is ratcheting up their political rhetoric.

Greg Bishop delivers the latest back and forth between the Trump administration, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and residents of the city of Chicago concerning public safety and immigration enforcement.

Greg Bishop airs the latest in the ongoing debate and Trump administration actions concerning public safety and immigration enforcement as the Department of Homeland Security launches Operation Midway Blitz.

Greg Bishop shares some of the moments from Trump administration border czar Tom Homan who spoke to the State Freedom Caucus Network in Dallas, Texas Friday. Full Homan speech: https://youtu.be/KBNAX5Qa2Cw

In today's edition of Illinois in Focus , The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop unpacks the latest comments about public safety in Chicago from President Donald Trump, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus and more.

Greg Bishop delivers the latest comments from Gov. J.B. Pritzker who says the state of Illinois will immediately sue the Trump administration if they use the National Guard, which is speculated to happen as early as this weekend along with increased immigration enforcement.

Greg Bishop shares the latest developments on how the Trump administration will address public safety in Chicago and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's refusal to call President Donald Trump for assistance.

Greg Bishop unpacks the latest comments about public safety in Chicago from President Donald Trump, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus and more.

Greg Bishop gets to the latest from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker about the prospect of increased federal immigration enforcement and the possible use of the National Guard.

(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he has not received communication from the federal government about potential troop deployments to Illinois, after President Donald Trump offered choice words for the governor. The president deployed troops to combat crime in Washington, D.C. earlier this month and suggested last week that Chicago could be next. When asked Wednesday about reports that federal agencies might use Naval Station Great Lakes for staging, the governor said he had received no calls from the White House or anyone from the federal government who might be in charge of troop movement.

Greg Bishop gets to the latest in gun ban litigation with plaintiffs challenging Cook County's ban asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case. This comes as the statewide ban a district judge found unconstitutional is cued up for appeals' court arguments next month.

Greg Bishop discusses the latest comments from President Donald Trump, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and others to the issue around public safety in Chicago.

Greg Bishop shares some of the debate around President Donald Trump's executive order ending federal tax funds for cashless bail policies like Illinois' and the push back from proponents of the state's Pretrial Fairness Act.

Greg Bishop delves into the issue of President Donald Trump saying he will address public safety in cities like Chicago and the reaction from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

The Center Square team reviews just some of the 271 bills Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker acted upon in the last week, including measures impacting the courts, schools, digital currency regulation and more. Of all that, the governor vetoed two of them setting up possible action during veto session scheduled in October.

Greg Bishop talks live with state Rep. Jed Davis about his continued concerns about the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services' use of interns. He says he's seeking legislative solutions but worries the issue could get buried heading into an election year.

Greg Bishop shares comments from Democrats and Republicans vying for their party's nomination for U.S. Senate, and what they see as the crucial issues will turn out voters to the primary polls.

(The Center Square) − Illinois Democrats say their party will win across the United States in 2026, with the Land of Lincoln serving as the blueprint. Gov. J.B. Pritzker spoke at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs' Association brunch Wednesday morning before hosting Governor's Day on the Lawn at the Illinois State Fair in the afternoon. Pritzker said Democrats will win in 2026, and the rest of the country will live out what Illinois is experiencing. “And what I'll say to those who are wondering what's next for the Democratic Party is this: She's alive and well and stronger than ever, living right here in the great state of Illinois,” Pritzker said.

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: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pdf_3b203fae-9997-44ca-83ef-61e6ff877717.html

Greg Bishop shares highlights from Governor's Day at the Illinois State Fair where Democrats rallied the party faithful. There were also questions about congressional maps and energy prices.

Greg Bishop shares comments from Tuesday's bill signing ceremony where Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Sonya Massey's law and the issue of how to address police accountability.

Greg Bishop delves into the back and forth between President Donald Trump and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over public safety, presidential politics and no-cash bail.

Greg Bishop reviews the latest comments in the ongoing debate around drawing new congressional maps with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on the national stage while state Sen. Jil Tracy files a lawsuit in Illinois on behalf of the Texas House to honor Lone Star State warrants for absent Democrats hiding out in the Land of Lincoln.

(The Center Square) – As the FBI gets involved in locating Texas Democrats hiding out in states like Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker says they are welcome, but the Democratic governor insists the absconding legislators aren't breaking any federal law. At the request of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the FBI on Thursday agreed to assist with locating Texas Democrats who fled the state to prevent the Texas House from reaching a quorum to change congressional district maps.

Greg Bishop covers the latest in the fight over redistricting with an Illinois state senator joining Texas House Republicans to have warrants from the Lone Star State to be recognized in Illinois and Gov. J.B. Pritzker responding to the FBI getting involved.

Greg Bishop continues his coverage on the ongoing debate around redistricting congressional districts with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's latest comments and reaction from Republican state Rep. Ryan Spain.

Greg Bishop reviews the escalating rhetoric over plans to redistrict Texas as Democrats flee to states like Illinois. Comments from across the political spectrum include President Donald Trump, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois state rep. Jed Davis, R-Yorkville.

Greg Bishop continues coverage of the ongoing debate about state's political boundaries with Illinois hosting Texas Democrats avoiding votes on new maps for The Lone Star State. Illinois Congressmen Mike Quigley and Darin LaHood shared their thoughts at an unrelated event in Chicago Monday.

Greg Bishop gets live reaction from state Rep. Regan Deering, R-Decatur, to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker hosting Texas Democrats fleeing the state to avoid voting for modified electoral maps.

(The Center Square) – Outmigration has taken a major toll on the Illinois economy, according to a new report by Unleash Prosperity. Using data from the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Census Bureau, analysts found that Illinois lost 881,012 residents from 2012 to 2022. Economist Stephen Moore said only New York and California suffered more domestic outmigration than the Land of Lincoln. “This is the sad story, same thing. New York and California and Illinois are just being bled to death,” Moore said.

Greg Bishop reviews continued concerns Illinois Statehouse Republicans have with the Pritzker administration's management of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Greg Bishop continues coverage of how the Trump administration's changes to SNAP could impact Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Republicans want to take food benefits away to give tax breaks to the wealthy. Republican state Sen. Andrew Chesney says Republicans are just looking for accountability of how tax dollars are spent.

Greg Bishop provides highlights from Gov. J.B. Pritzker's Monday news conference where he signed two gun control measures, including one requiring guns be locked up in certain circumstances that Second Amendment advocates say is ripe for lawsuits.

Greg Bishop reviews the order from a federal judge dismissing the U.S. Department of Justice's lawsuit challenging migrant sanctuary policies in the state of Illinois. The DOJ now has until Aug. 22 to file an amended complaint, or the case will be dismissed with prejudice.

(The Center Square) – After U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested a criminal suspect who had been released in Lake County, elected officials are calling for changes to Illinois' SAFE-T Act. According to an ICE statement, Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, 52, was arrested in Chicago on Saturday. In April, the Mexican national was charged with four felonies, including concealing a death, abusing a corpse and obstructing justice in connection with the death of 37-year-old Megan Bos of Antioch. A Lake County judge released Mendoza-Gonzalez under the Pretrial Fairness Act.

Greg Bishop shares recent comments from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker about the expectation energy prices are going to continue to go up for Illinois rate payers, the impacts of the Trump administration's controls over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and also the governor speaking well of the increase in the State and Local Tax deduction from the "big, beautiful bill."

Greg Bishop delves into two national controversies competing for headlines: The Jeffery Epstein saga and the Trump administration allegations of conspiracy to derail President Donald Trump's first term with Russia collusion claims.

Greg Bishop shares recent comments from Illinois elected officials to the arrest by ICE of a Mexican national who was released by local authorities in April despite being arrested for concealing a body.

Greg Bishop reviews statements around news of federal immigration officials detaining a Mexican national who was arrested by Illinois law enforcement earlier this year for the concealment of a women's body but was later released from jail under the state's Pretrial Fairness Act that ended cash bail. Republicans say it's a stark example of the reforms that are needed in both the SAFE-T Act and the state's migrant sanctuary policies.

(The Center Square) – Illinois is one of the U.S. states hardest hit by inflation, an analyst says . The personal finance company WalletHub compared 23 major metropolitan areas across key metrics, including the Consumer Price Index, to measure inflation and how it impacts people in different cities. According to the report, two of the five major metropolitan areas with the biggest inflation problems have a large footprint in Illinois.

Greg Bishop reviews recent court filings in two separate firearms related cases. In the case challenging Illinois' gun and magazine ban, the state is asking to delay the deadline to final a final brief before the Sept. 22 oral arguments in the appeals court. In a separate case challenging the prohibition of illegal aliens having firearms, an appeals court overturned the lower court's ruling the law unconstitutional and remanded the case back to the district court. 

Greg Bishop shares a conversation with Washington Gun Law host William Kirk about the status of Illinois gun laws and what to expect with the appeals court set to hear the challenge to Illinois gun ban law.

Greg Bishop talks live with Illinois U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly about the Democrats' criticism of President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill," and about her bid to become the next U.S. Senator from Illinois.

Greg Bishop discusses the back and forth over federal tax funding for public schools and an Illinois state senator's call for the governor to opt into the federal school choice scholarship tax credit program.

Greg Bishop reviews a website Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker promoted for non-citizens to "know your rights."

(The Center Square) – A Trump administration official says "good luck" to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who vows local police won't cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Trump administration border czar Tom Homan told reporters they plan to increase immigration enforcement efforts. “And for those that say 3,000 a day is too much, I want to remind them, do the math, we'd have to arrest 7,000 every single day for the remainder of this administration just to catch the ones [former President Joe] Biden released in the nation, ” Homan said.

Greg Bishop reviews recent comments from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson critical of increased funding for immigration enforcement amid ICE officials contending with violent protests as he dodges questions about his personal security detail.