January 14, 2026/
WATCH: Legislator warns tax dollars used to impede ICE; Pritzker and Trump talk crime
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares comments from President Donald Trump and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker about crime in Chicago and federal funding for Democrat-controlled states.
Bishop also shares a conversation with Illinois state Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, about his concerns over state taxpayer funds going to a group he said is organizing and encouraging people to impede federal immigration law.
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.
Latest News Stories
WATCH: Gallagher addresses Assembly, heads to Congress
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Assemblymember James Gallagher, R-East Nicolaus, gave his final remarks on the Assembly floor Monday afternoon before he leaves the California Legislature to begin his term...
New tariffs could raise nearly $1 trillion over a decade
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Proposed tariffs on imports from 60 economies could raise nearly $970 billion over the next decade, according to estimates released Monday by the Committee for...
Bill Gates to testify on Epstein relationship Wednesday
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Bill Gates, the billionaire founder of Microsoft, will testify before the U.S. House Oversight Committee in a closed-door hearing on Wednesday over ties to convicted...
Republican to offer Bears stadium bill, new property tax initiatives
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Republican state representative announced he will be releasing his own framework that will take a crack...
Trump weighs buying Chagos Islands to secure base
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Trump administration is considering buying the Chagos Islands in the central Indian Ocean from Mauritius, but the cost of such a deal is unclear...
Correctional center’s planned relocation draws mixed reactions
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Local officials are not happy about the Illinois Department of Corrections’ decision to relocate Logan Correctional Center...
Raman edges ahead of Pratt in Los Angeles mayoral race
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Election results for Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt became uncertain Sunday evening after City Councilmember Nithya Raman edged past him. Mayor Karen Bass remained...
Illinois to ban automated ticket scalping, reselling ‘ghost tickets’
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bipartisan effort to protect eventgoers from fraudulent tickets and online ticket scams made its way through...
Dozens of U.S. lawmakers demand privacy reforms as FISA deadline looms
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Congressional leaders are desperate to renew the federal government’s authority to conduct mass electronic surveillance before the authority expires, but dozens of lawmakers in both...
Illinois Quick Hits: IDOR announces remote retailer amnesty dates
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Revenue says the state’s remote retailer tax amnesty program will be available from...
Federal judge blocks Trump’s 100K visa fee
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A federal judge in Massachusetts on Monday blocked President Donald Trump's policy seeking to implement a $100,000 fee on visas for highly skilled foreign workers....
U.S. House report: Minnesota officials failed to stop fraud
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A new U.S. House oversight report alleges Minnesota officials were aware of "rampant" fraud risks in taxpayer-funded social programs for years but failed to act,...
Senator says disability service workers’ raise falls short
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator says wages for direct support professionals who provide services for people with developmental...