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
WATCH: Bondi, Durbin clash over Guard; Pritzker says he’s not a ‘conspiracy theory guy’
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 shares some of...
Trump calls for Pritzker, Johnson to be jailed
By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square President Donald Trump says Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson should be in jail for failing to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs...
Religious rights don’t trump IL’s authority to force abortion coverage
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Illinois' state government can force all health insurers regulated by the state to provide abortion coverage without violating the religious rights of...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Clark County Board for August 15, 2025
The Clark County Board meeting on Friday, August 15, 2025, was dominated by public concerns over local solar projects, with residents demanding better road protections and more stringent decommissioning plans....
FBI ‘Summer Heat’ arrests include ‘Most Wanted’ fugitives, gang members
By Bethany Blankley | c reporterThe Center Square During a three-month “Summer Heat,” operation, FBI and law enforcement partners made 8,629 arrests as part of a national initiative targeting violent...
WATCH: Pritzker blasts Trump, Illinois GOP leaders at Minneapolis event
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has visited another state to criticize Illinois Republican leaders in addition to blasting President...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker condemns $2.1 billion CTA freeze; nuclear energy firm plans research facility
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker condemns $2.1 billion CTA freeze Gov. J.B. Pritzker has joined Illinois’ congressional Democrats and several state and local officials to...
Unions sue Trump over 100k H-1B visa fee
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A coalition of employment unions filed a lawsuit to prevent the Trump administration from implementing efforts to charge a $100,000 fee for new H-1B worker...
Trade deal between Canada, U.S. will likely require more time
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump hosted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House Tuesday for the second time but was reluctant to say the meeting...
Billions in GDP lost during first week of government shutdown, Johnson says
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the federal government shutdown hits the one week mark, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is urging Democrats to vote for Republicans’ funding bill to...
Trump to hit imported heavy trucks with 25% tariff starting Nov. 1
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump cited national security, among other reasons, for hitting imported medium- and heavy-duty trucks with a 25% tariff starting on Nov. 1. Mexico,...
Supreme Court appears skeptical of Colorado conversion therapy ban
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court appeared ready to rule against a Colorado ban on conversion therapy during oral arguments on Tuesday. The challenge in Chiles v....
Freedom of the press? Not according to DC appellate court
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square First Amendment rights for journalists aren’t guaranteed, according to a recent appellate court ruling, with which U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and multiple news organizations...
