January 16, 2026/
WATCH: Ives investigates tax dollars for NGOs; Republicans say Pritzker raising energy prices
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square’s Greg Bishop talks live with Jeanne Ives from Breakthrough Ideas about her investigations into state spending on non-government organizations, how to shore up the state’s budget and more.
Bishop also shares recent comments from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Republican state senators about the status of Illinois energy policy and what is driving up rates for energy consumers.
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
Dems fail in first try to use ‘state sovereignty’ to ‘veto’ ICE
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square As a federal judge in Chicago prepares to hear Illinois' and Chicago's lawsuit seeking to all but halt ICE and Border Patrol...
Report says California’s bond debt load exceeds $99 billion
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Amid a projected $18 billion budget shortfall for the 2026-27 fiscal year, the state is also dealing with $99.1 billion in bond debt, according to...
Los Angeles mayor calls for unity, blasts ICE in State of City
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wants residents to remain unified and continue helping one another in times of difficulty. During her State of the City...
Illinois Quick Hits: McIntyre back as inspector general for DCFS
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has reappointed Ann McIntyre to continue serving as inspector general for the Illinois Department...
Speculation on Seahawks’ sale heats up following proposed WA ‘jock tax’
By Brett DavisThe Center Square Whether or not the Seattle Seahawks are sold after Super Bowl LX remains to be seen, but the timing of such speculation comes shortly after...
WATCH: Newsom cites California’s seizures of fentanyl
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday afternoon joined California National Guard and California Highway Patrol leaders to announce the state’s success in seizing a half billion...
Colorado bill says gun barrel purchases to be made at dealers
By Derek DraplinThe Center Square A new bill introduced in Colorado would require gun barrel purchases to be made in-person at a firearm dealer. Senate Bill 26-043, which was introduced...
Trump admin to define banking privacy laws
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump Administration is set to revisit regulations on data privacy and consumer protections between banks and financial technology firms such as Venmo. The administration...
Western senators propose wastewater program renewal
By Liam HibbertThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, has co-introduced bipartisan legislation to extend a federal $450 million water recycling grant for Western states until 2032. The...
Ohio Dems call for return to TPS status for Haitians
By David BeasleyThe Center Square Ohio Senate Democrats called Monday for the federal government to extend temporary protected status for Haitians in Springfield. That status is set to expire Tuesday....
Trump Kennedy Center to close for two years; over $250M secured for renovations
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Those hoping to catch a show at the Trump Kennedy Center will only have a few months before it closes for a two-year renovation, President...
House GOP leaders face pushback from own members on funding bill
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the federal government enters its third day of a partial shutdown, House Republicans are bickering over Senate changes to the $1.2 trillion funding package,...
Lawmakers discuss budget, spending, tax credits as Illinois Senate returns
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate Appropriations Committee chair says greater federal scrutiny of state government spending will not change...