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.
⚠️ Tornado Watch issued June 17 at 9:15PM CDT until June 18 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Wed Jun 17
77° 58°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Illinois Quick Hits: CTU-backed senator launches ‘tax the rich’ campaign
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois legislator backed by the Chicago Teachers Union is renewing her call to tax the rich...
Lawmaker slams Illinois tuition bill favoring illegal immigrants
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, is raising concerns about a proposal he says would expand access...
Goble, Gilbert Combine for No-Hitter as Casey-Westfield Routs Lawrenceville 13-0
Senior Ava Goble and sophomore G. Gilbert combined to throw a five-inning no-hitter, pacing the Casey-Westfield varsity softball team to a dominant 13-0 conference victory on the road against Lawrenceville...
Illinois Quick Hits: $3M in taxpayer funds go to Chicago neighborhood center
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers have provided $3 million for a new neighborhood center on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Gov. J.B....
Casey-Westfield Capitalizes on Mistakes to Blank Arthur-Okaw Christian 10-0
The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team took full advantage of a struggling Arthur-Okaw Christian defense on Monday afternoon, cruising to a 10-0, five-inning non-conference victory on their home diamond. The Warriors’...
Casey Council Transfers Vacant Lots to Central Illinois Land Bank Authority
Casey City Council Meeting | April 6, 2026 Article Summary: The City of Casey will transfer a pair of vacant, city-owned lots to the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority to...
Temu, Shein hit with class actions demanding tariff refunds
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Online Chinese discount marketplace giants Temu and Shein have each been hit with nationwide class action lawsuits, demanding they repay customers for...
Illinois has most government units, but consolidation brings challenges
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report says Illinois is among the most fragmented states in the nation when it comes...
Illinois quick hits: Southwest to lay off 107 as O’Hare service ends
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Southwest to lay off 107 as O'Hare service ends According to an Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice, 107...
State House passes 133 bills, many potential impacts for Illinoisans
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois House of Representatives passed a total of 133 bills last week, sending them to the...
Breese Central Powers Past Casey-Westfield 7-1 in Saturday Afternoon Clash
The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team saw its Saturday momentum stifled in the afternoon cap of a home slate, falling 7-1 to a formidable Breese Central squad in non-conference action at...
Early Offensive Surge Propels Casey-Westfield Past Farina South Central 6-4
The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team relied on a flurry of early-inning offense to secure a 6-4 non-conference victory over visiting Farina South Central on Saturday morning at Jerald Barr Field....
Goble Tosses Shutout, Homers to Lead Casey-Westfield Past Murphysboro 3-0
Senior Ava Goble delivered a masterful two-way performance on Saturday, pitching a complete-game shutout and hitting a home run to propel the Casey-Westfield varsity softball team to a 3-0 home...
