WATCH: Legislator warns tax dollars used to impede ICE; Pritzker and Trump talk crime
January 14, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares comments from President Donald Trump and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker about crime in Chicago and federal funding for Democrat-controlled states.
Bishop also shares a conversation with Illinois state Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, about his concerns over state taxpayer funds going to a group he said is organizing and encouraging people to impede federal immigration law.
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.
Latest News Stories
Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment rises again; growth continues in Champaign
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The unemployment rate in Illinois has risen to 5.2%, according to data released onThursday by the U.S....
Detention hearing continued to next week for suspect in Trump threats
By Alan WootenThe Center Square The detention hearing for Army veteran Daniel Swain, the South Carolinian arrested in North Carolina accused of being headed to Washington, on Thursday was continued...
Digital ad tax plan prompts discussion as impacts remain unclear
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A digital advertising tax is up for discussion in the Illinois legislature, but opponents say big tech...
Bill preventing illegal immigrants from driving also impacts state voter ID laws
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Four Republican U.S. senators are pushing a bill that would penalize states that issue driver’s licenses, commercial driver’s licenses, or personal identification cards to migrants...
WATCH: New survey finds more WA businesses considering moving out of state
By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A new survey of Washington businesses reveals growing pessimism about the state’s economy and ability to be successful in the Evergreen state. The survey conducted...
Minnesota committee fails to subpoena Omar after unanswered records request
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Democrats on a Minnesota House committee refused to support a subpoena targeting U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar after Republicans accused her of ignoring repeated requests for...
Illinois Quick Hits: State police investigating 2025 fatal ICE-involved shooting
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State Police have begun investigating the fatal shooting of Silverio Villegas Gonzalez last September by a...
Data shows more violent retail thefts, lost sales tax revenue.
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – New data shows that violent retail crime is on the rise, and taxpayers can be counted among...
Arizona GOP considers suing to redraw congressional map
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square The Republican majority in the Arizona Legislature is contemplating legal options to redraw the state’s congressional map in time for the 2028 elections. Senate President...
Pro-life org releases updated pregnancy resource confirming life begins at conception
By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square In time for Mother’s Day, the Charlotte Lozier Institute on Thursday released an updated version of its Voyage of Life pregnancy resource that is packed...
Illinois Quick Hits: Congressman’s aide indicted on fraud allegations
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Danny Davis’ deputy director has been indicted on federal fraud charges. Prosecutors say Gerard C....
Social Security’s trust funds: asset, accounting tool or debt?
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square While many policy experts agree Social Security faces long-term financing challenges, they often disagree on a core part of the program’s funding, as discussed by...
Fitzpatrick says pro-union bill dealing with contracts will pass U.S. House
By John ColeThe Center Square During a speech to the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters Convention in Hershey last week, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District, guaranteed its members that a...