January 12, 2026/

WATCH: States sue over funds; DHS responds to critics; Fed responds to investigation

Spread the love

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares recent comments from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul about a lawsuit he’s joining with other states like New York and California challenging the Trump administration’s freezing of federal taxpayer funds for certain welfare programs.

Bishop also provides the latest debate surrounding the use of force amid public safety concerns around immigration enforcement with comments from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, President Donald Trump and more.

Finally, Bishop touches on the Federal Reserve chairman releasing a statement in response to a federal investigation into the central bank’s recent testimony to congress and renovations of the Fed’s Washington D.C. building.

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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Trump: Iranian regime 'disjointed', won't indicate if further strikes are coming

Trump: Iranian regime ‘disjointed’, won’t indicate if further strikes are coming

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than two months after the joint U.S., Israel strikes against Iran, President Donald Trump won’t say if he is considering further strikes against the...
House Farm Bill includes new seafood office, shrimp trade study

House Farm Bill includes new seafood office, shrimp trade study

By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square The 2026 Farm Bill passed by the U.S. House includes new seafood provisions aimed at giving commercial fishermen and shrimpers greater access to federal agriculture...
Arizona congressman seeks to protect sex abuse victims

Arizona congressman seeks to protect sex abuse victims

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square An Arizona congressman is attempting to bring a state law that protects victims from their abusers to the federal level. U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Surprise,...
Trump threatens 25% tariff on EU cars and trucks

Trump threatens 25% tariff on EU cars and trucks

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on European Union cars and trucks to 25%, accusing the EU of violating a trade agreement the bloc...
Trump ends tariffs on Scotch whisky after King Charles visit

Trump ends tariffs on Scotch whisky after King Charles visit

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said he will remove the 10% tariff on Scotch whisky imports and lift restrictions on the barrel trade between Scotland and Kentucky,...
Civil rights complaints filed over race-based healthcare scholarships

Civil rights complaints filed over race-based healthcare scholarships

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A nonprofit advocacy group has filed federal civil rights complaints against two healthcare systems, alleging their scholarship programs unlawfully exclude applicants based on race. Do...
Candidates clamor for Carter's open seat

Candidates clamor for Carter’s open seat

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter's decision to run for U.S. Senate has attracted 14 candidates for his 1st Congressional District post. Carter, a Republican, has served...
Illinois Quick Hits: Civic federation funds 'persistent structural imbalance' in Illinois

Illinois Quick Hits: Civic federation funds ‘persistent structural imbalance’ in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Civic Federation report has identified a persistent structural imbalance in the Illinois budget, with expenditures...
U.S. House OKs Fetterman bill allowing SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken

U.S. House OKs Fetterman bill allowing SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken

By John ColeThe Center Square A bill that would allow recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to buy hot rotisserie chicken is one step closer to becoming...
Gas hits $6 a gallon in California; Southwest see increases

Gas hits $6 a gallon in California; Southwest see increases

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square California Thursday officially exceeded an average gas price of $6 a gallon for the first time since the start of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran....
Teacher unions spent over $1B on political causes since 2015

Teacher unions spent over $1B on political causes since 2015

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square National teachers unions have spent over $1 billion on political activity and advocacy since 2015, according to a new report by Defending Education. Both reports,...
Illinoisans may soon need registration, title, license to use e-bikes, scooters

Illinoisans may soon need registration, title, license to use e-bikes, scooters

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinoisans may soon be required to register their e-bikes, motorized scooters and other various modes of transport...
Pritzker’s commission report pushes for local investigations of federal 'brutality'

Pritzker’s commission report pushes for local investigations of federal ‘brutality’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Illinois Accountability Commission has released its report on alleged abuses by federal immigration law...
Illinois mulls change allowing pension investment in anti-Israel companies

Illinois mulls change allowing pension investment in anti-Israel companies

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Multiple speakers shared personal stories Thursday from the conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinians in an effort...
Gun rights advocate questions Illinois ballistic imaging plan

Gun rights advocate questions Illinois ballistic imaging plan

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A newly introduced measure in the Illinois General Assembly aimed at expanding ballistic imaging technology is...