January 30, 2026/
WATCH: Commission meets as Chicago mayor seeks to prosecute ICE; SNAP changes Sunday
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square’s Greg Bishop shares some of the latest comments from Trump border czar Tom Homan about finding cooperation with local officials while Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson looks for prosecutions of immigration enforcers. This as Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Illinois Accountability Commission is set to meet.
Bishop also reviews some of the latest deadlines around work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and shares data on how much tax money goes to SNAP, and how much Illinois’ error rate has increased in the last 10 years.
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 21
73° 57°
Mostly Cloudy
Latest News Stories
Illinois voices collide as Trump’s Maduro arrest fuels war powers debate
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has triggered a constitutional debate over executive power, dividing...
Illinois Supreme Court justice to retire
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Cetner Square) – Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis has announced her retirement from the Illinois Supreme Court, effective...
Bridge payment a ‘bandage,’ Illinois farmers say
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois corn grower says the $12 billion taxpayer funded bridge payment the Trump administration announced will...
Even with new rule, Illinois lawmakers could restrict inmate mail scanning
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) has a permanent rule in place for electronic mail processing, but...
WATCH: States sue over funds; DHS responds to critics; Fed responds to investigation
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 recent comments...
Illinois quick hits: Child care funding unfrozen
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Child care funding unfozen Federal child care and welfare dollars for Illinois and four other states are unfrozen after a U.S....
Council Approves Police Union Agreement; Officer Moved to Full-Time
Meeting Summary and Briefs: City of Casey Council Meeting | Jan. 5, 2026 Article Summary: The City Council finalized a memorandum of agreement with the police union and officially elevated...
Chicago Flips Red calls for audit after public schools report
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A grassroots Chicago group is calling for a forensic audit of the city’s entire public school system...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lake Land College Board of Trustees for November 2025
Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | November 2025 The Lake Land College Board of Trustees met on Monday, November 10, 2025, to address infrastructure improvements, financial planning, and...
Casey Prepares for ‘America 250’ and Founders Day Parade
Meeting Summary and Briefs: City of Casey Council Meeting | Jan. 5, 2026 Article Summary: Local organizers presented ambitious plans for the upcoming Founders Day and America 250 celebrations, including...
Foundation Announces Major Estate Gift; Board Accepts Workforce Grants
Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Lake Land College Foundation received a significant estate gift to support Mattoon students, while the board accepted...
Council Updates Security Light Fees; Installation Cost Set at $350
Meeting Summary and Briefs: City of Casey Council Meeting | Jan. 5, 2026 Article Summary: The City Council approved a new fee structure for private security lights installed on city...
Patty Richards Guest Speaker at Rotary
Patty Richards (right) was the guest of Rotarian Marcy Mumford (left) at Tuesday’s weekly Rotary Club meeting at Richards Farm, discussing the Quincentennial--250 years celebration. The local theme will incorporate...
