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.
Today Jun 17
75° 58°
Partly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers
Latest News Stories
Govt shutdown raises concerns over national security
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As partisan divides appear to deepen and prolong the partial government shutdown, bipartisan lawmakers said they are concerned about national security effects of the funding...
Ex-speaker Madigan to begin 7.5-year prison sentence Monday
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One day before the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session is scheduled to begin, one of the...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey Township Library Board of Trustees for September 4, 2025
Casey Township Library Board of Trustees Meeting | September 4, 2025 The Casey Township Library Board took a major step toward a future expansion on Thursday, September 4, 2025, by...
Casey to Demolish Dilapidated Downtown Building for $42,120
Article Summary: The Casey City Council has awarded a $42,120 contract to Dirt Work Incorporated for the demolition of a dangerous and unsafe building at 204 S. Central. The city...
Trump says new 100% tariff on China as trade war escalates
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Friday said imports from China will face a new 100% tariff "over and above" existing import taxes on the world's second-largest...
Arizona congressman calls for end to government shutdown
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Arizona, wants Democrats to “come to their senses” and end the government shutdown. Hamadeh told The Center Square that Democrats’ reasons...
WATCH: Pritzker continues encouraging ICE protests after Guard blocked
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With the National Guard’s deployment in Illinois for public safety blocked by a federal judge, Gov. J.B....
Illinois quick hits: Ag incentives announced; Cook County announces increased budget
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ag incentives announced The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Agriculture have announced $67 million in funding to...
Former board member expressed concerns about indicted DeKalb superintendent
By Kim Jarrett | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A former DeKalb County School Board member told The Center Square in 2023 she had concerns about...
Fiscal Fallout: Illinois has among highest-paid state employees
By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The average wages for Illinois state employees are among the highest in the nation and belie the...
Report: State reliance on federal funds up significantly since 1990s
By Tate MillerThe Center Square States rely on federal dollars more than they have in modern history, according to a new report, with one of the report’s authors saying such...
Southwest low on list of safest states; Northeast at the top
By Dave MasonThe Center Square The Northeast corner is the safest part of the U.S., according to a new WalletHub study. The Southwest? Not so much. Issues such as high...
Trump administration begins axing positions of furloughed federal workers
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Office of Management and Budget will begin eliminating thousands of civilian positions across the federal government, fulfilling the Trump administration’s plan to use the...
