January 21, 2026/
WATCH: Pritzker says Trump’s first year a failure; Raoul discusses prosecuting fraud
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square’s Greg Bishop discusses some of the highlights President Donald Trump provided from his first year in office of his second non-consecutive term. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Trump’s first year has been a “failure,” while Republicans in Illinois say Pritzker’s policy are not making the state safe or affordable.
Bishop also delves into the start of an investigation into overpayments in the state’s child care funding operations, with reaction from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul saying fraud should be prosecuted.
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.
Fri Jun 19
82° 63°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Digitization of aviation supply chain an opportunity to ascend out of 1950s
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Moving passengers and cargo through the air is heavily regulated and significantly ties efficiency to expense. “As currently postured,” says U.S. Rep. Brad Knott, R-N.C.,...
‘Classic impasse’ for Chicago aldermen debating proposed taxes, spending cuts
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is pushing for state help in funding the city’s budget, but a city...
Texas authorities arrest men for violent crimes after illegally entering as minors
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Authorities in Texas continue to arrest violent men in major cities years after they illegally entered the country as unaccompanied minors. They’re also continuing to...
WATCH: Gun ban cases and the Supreme Court; English and CDLs; Don Tracy eyes Senate
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop discusses the status...
Illinois quick hits: Madigan disbarred; taxpayers subsidize medical debt relief
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Madigan disbarred Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is no longer licensed to practice law in the Land of Lincoln. The...
Audit Confirms Utility Losses as Casey Council Approves First Property Tax Hike in Five Years
Casey City Council Meeting | November 17, 2025 Article Summary: The Casey City Council approved a 3% property tax levy increase after an independent audit for the fiscal year ending...
Reshoring manufacturing will take a more skilled workforce, small manufacturers say
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The federal government should help American businesses access highly skilled workers, continue to cut burdensome regulations and perhaps alter some of its tariff policies to...
WATCH: Feds take steps to dismantle ED, states respond
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Since the Trump administration’s moves to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, it has prompted a wide range of reactions from state education leaders nationwide....
Inflation-adjusted teacher salaries drop despite record spending on public education
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report says structural problems have led to record-high spending on public education in Illinois and...
State officials race clock amid legal changes to gerrymandered maps
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square States looking to pad partisan advantage by redrawing political maps ahead of the 2026 midterms face mounting legal challenges and a fresh race against the...
Illinois quick hits: CDC’s autism and vaccines website criticized by IDPH
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square CDC's autism and vaccines website criticized The Illinois Department of Public Health is criticizing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and...
Federal judge orders halt to National Guard deployment in DC
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A federal judge in the District of Columbia ordered the Trump administration to end its deployment of the National Guard in the nation's capital. Judge...
Consumer group files amicus brief on behalf of NRA’s petition to Supreme Court
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Consumers’ Research says consumers must be protected from government officials who abuse their power as it filed an amicus brief in support of the National...
