WATCH: States sue over funds; DHS responds to critics; Fed responds to investigation
January 12, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares recent comments from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul about a lawsuit he’s joining with other states like New York and California challenging the Trump administration’s freezing of federal taxpayer funds for certain welfare programs.
Bishop also provides the latest debate surrounding the use of force amid public safety concerns around immigration enforcement with comments from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, President Donald Trump and more.
Finally, Bishop touches on the Federal Reserve chairman releasing a statement in response to a federal investigation into the central bank’s recent testimony to congress and renovations of the Fed’s Washington D.C. building.
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 Jul 21
72° 55°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
County Considers Bond Refinancing That Could Save Millions
JOLIET — Will County officials on Thursday discussed a potential bond refinancing opportunity that could save the county approximately $3.6 million in debt service costs by taking advantage of favorable...
Will County Ordinance Committee Briefs: Unanimous Votes for Proclamations, Title Changes, Audits Discussed
Committee Clarifies Unanimous Vote Requirement for Honorary Proclamations: The Ordinance Committee refined language in Chapter 30 regarding honorary proclamations, specifying that they shall be allowed "only by unanimous vote" of...
County Undertakes Formatting Overhaul of Decades-Old Ordinances
JOLIET — Will County officials are modernizing the format and structure of the county's ordinances, some of which date back to 1943, as part of a comprehensive review process to...
County Reviews Rules on Virtual Meeting Attendance, Committee Participation
JOLIET — Will County officials discovered Thursday that their current practices regarding virtual meeting attendance may not fully comply with state law, as the Ordinance Committee worked through updates to...
Will County Ordinance Committee Reviews Administrative Code, Clarifies Official Powers
JOLIET — The Will County Ordinance Committee spent several hours Thursday reviewing and updating Chapter 30 of the county's Code of Ordinances, which governs county administration, with particular attention to...
Farmers, Residents Call for Action on Roadside Debris from Landfill Trucks
Local farmers and residents are urging county officials to address persistent litter problems along routes used by trucks traveling to and from Prairie View landfill. The issue emerged during public...
County Landfill Meeting Briefs
Landfill Minutes Approved: The landfill committee unanimously approved minutes from its February 11, 2025 meeting. All committee members were present, including Hickey, Brooks, Bulock, Logan, Newquest, Pretzel, and Dean Schlotman....
Geological Features Central to Landfill Expansion Plans
Geological characteristics that were formed thousands of years ago make Prairie View an ideal location for landfill operations, according to the geologist leading expansion plans for the facility. During Wednesday's...
County Considers Two Options for Prairie View Landfill Expansion
Prairie View landfill could extend its lifespan by up to 35 additional years under expansion plans presented to the county's landfill committee on Wednesday. Consultant Marty Fallon outlined two potential...
Health Department Faces Funding Cuts, Reviews Options for Programs
The Will County Health Department is assessing its options after being notified of the termination of a $1 million federal grant for respiratory disease surveillance and outbreak response, officials told...
County Health News Briefs
Sunny Hill Nursing Home Reports Full Capacity: The county-owned Sunny Hill Nursing Home is operating at 100% capacity with all 156 beds filled and a waiting list, Administrator Maggie McDall...
Substance Use Initiative Reports Early 2025 Overdose Data, Outreach Efforts
Will County has recorded eight fatal overdoses and seven overdose reversals so far in 2025, according to data presented to the county health committee on Wednesday. Connie Dewal, program manager...
County Food Access Program Reports Progress on ARPA-Funded Initiatives
Four community organizations are expanding food assistance services across Will County through nearly $80,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds administered by the county's food access collaborative. Caitlyn...
Sunny Hill Nursing Home Reaches Full Capacity, Completes Bed Upgrades
Will County's Sunny Hill Nursing Home is operating at 100% capacity with a waiting list for admissions, prompting officials to consider reinstating a policy that would prioritize county residents, Administrator...
Will County Land Use and Development Briefs: Minor Subdivision, Extension Approved, Tiny Homes Advocate Returns
Committee Approves Minor Subdivision to Correct Illegal Land Division: The Land Use and Development Committee unanimously approved a minor subdivision plat for the Crown Holm Family Trust in Lockport Township,...