Illinois in Focus

Jan 31 2025 452 ep. 34 mins 32
Illinois in Focus Podcast artwork

The podcast bringing you the most important stories out of Illinois from TheCenterSquare.com. Join us as we dive into the top headlines and provide insightful commentary and analysis.

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Weekend Edition | Madigan Case: Jury To Decide Fate of Alleged ‘Grand Masters of Corruption’

Jan 31 2025 24 mins  
(The Center Square) – Jurors started deliberating at the public corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in Chicago. Judge John Robert Blakey handed the case to the jury shortly after 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. The judge first provided a few final instructions about communications and asked jurors to choose a foreper

Weekend Edition | Pritzker Clashes with Trump on Immigration, Economy

Jan 25 2025 24 mins  
(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is already butting heads with the Trump administration about immigration and more. Pritzker said he had heard reports of about 2,000 initial immigration enforcement actions coming, but said he’s heard nothing from the Trump administration as of Day 2 of the new presidency. Pritzker also said Trump’s actions against birthright

Illinois in Focus Daily | January 23rd, 2025 - Legislator Rips Illinois Law Prohibiting Local Law Enforcement From Working With Ice

Jan 23 2025 27 mins  
The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares a conversation with Illinois state Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, about Gov. J.B. Pritzker and leading Democrats holding up state law prohibiting local law enforcement from working federal immigration officials.

Illinois in Focus Daily | January 22nd, 2025 - ‘Vindicated’ Jan. 6 Defendant Exploring Lawsuit Against Prosecutors After Trump Pardons

Jan 22 2025 35 mins  
The Center Square's Greg Bishop talks live with Larry Ligas, a Jan. 6 defendant, about the sweeping pardons of around 1,500 defendants by President Donald Trump.

Illinois in Focus Daily | January 21st, 2025 - President Trump Signs Executive Orders on Immigration; Pritzker Reacts

Jan 21 2025 32 mins  
President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders on Day 1 of his presidency, including things impacting immigration. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker reacted on social media.

Weekend Edition | Defense Rests and Rebuttal Concludes at Ex-Illinois House Speaker’s Corruption Trial

Jan 18 2025 24 mins  
(The Center Square) – Closing arguments are scheduled to begin next Wednesday at the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain. U.S. government attorneys wrapped up their rebuttal about 30 minutes after the Madigan defense team rested its case Thursday at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. FBI Special A

Illinois in Focus Daily | January 17th, 2025 - Concerned About Due Process of Illegal Immigrants, Several AGs Oppose Laken Riley Act

Jan 17 2025 17 mins  
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews a recent letter Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul signed with other attorneys general urging the U.S. Senate to oppose the Laken Riley Act, a measure to require the detention of illegal immigrants accused of things like robbery.

Illinois in Focus Daily | January 15th, 2025 - Illinois Supreme Court Hears Arguments About Whether to Toss Law Prohibiting Open Carry

Jan 15 2025 23 mins  
Greg Bishop reviews some of the oral arguments in the Illinois Supreme Court case whether to find a state firearms statute prohibiting open carry unconstitutional.

Illinois in Focus Daily | January 14th, 2025 - Cook County Judge Sides With Guns Save Life in Gun, Ammo Tax Challenge

Jan 14 2025 25 mins  
Greg Bishop shares a conversation with Guns Save Life Executive Director John Boch about Monday's decision from a Cook County judge siding with gun rights advocates over the county in a case challenging the county's gun and ammo tax.

Some Illinois Republicans Join Democrats in Voting for Gun Confiscation Bill

Jan 13 2025 36 mins  
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews the debate around Illinois House bill 4144 that would require police confiscate firearms from subjects of domestic orders of protection. While some Republicans supported the measure, others raised concerns it violates individuals' Second Amendment rights.