WATCH: GOP governor candidates forum highlights; Pritzker talks taxes increase, Bears
January 20, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square’s Greg Bishop provides highlights from Monday evening’s Illinois State Rifle Association Republican gubernatorial candidates forum at GAT Guns in East Dundee. The entire forum can be viewed here.
Bishop also airs some of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s news conference after signing the Clean Slate Act into law where the governor talked about criminal justice reform, taxing millionaires and the ongoing question of where the Chicago Bears will land a new stadium deal.
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.
⚠️ Flood Watch issued June 10 at 9:11PM CDT until June 11 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 10
88° 60°
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Beecher Looks to Broaden Scope of Water System Infrastructure Funds
Village of Beecher Meeting | April 13, 2026 Article Summary: The Village of Beecher is drafting an ordinance to amend its local code, allowing funds previously restricted strictly for "water...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee for April 14, 2026
Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | April 14, 2026 The Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee held a highly efficient meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026,...
Executive Committee Advances Sweeping Updates to Adult Entertainment and Wireless Facilities Ordinances
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | April 9, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee advanced two major ordinances completely rewriting the county's regulations for Adult Entertainment...
Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin Sweeps Team Titles at Watseka Coed Meet #3
The Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin (BHRA) track and field program put together a masterclass of depth and execution, sweeping both the boys' and girls' team championships at the Watseka Coed Meet #3 on...
Clifton Central Surges Past Beecher 14-9 Despite Van Ness’s Perfect Day at the Plate
The Beecher varsity baseball team suffered a tough 14-9 home conference loss on Thursday, falling to Clifton Central in a high-scoring, back-and-forth contest defined by massive momentum swings. Despite the...
Kvasnicka’s Perfect Day Sparks Beecher’s 10-0 Run-Rule Win Over Clifton Central
The Beecher varsity softball team utilized a massive second inning and a combined three-hit shutout to secure a 10-0, five-inning conference victory over visiting Clifton Central on Thursday afternoon. Beecher...
Norkus Tosses One-Hit Masterpiece, Beecher Offense Explodes in 14-0 Win
Senior Taylor Norkus delivered an absolutely dominant performance in the circle, striking out 15 batters to lead the Beecher varsity softball team to a 14-0 home conference victory over Clifton...
Ad-Hoc Committee: County Lowers Air Rifle Age to 13, Finds Airsoft Guns Beyond Local Regulatory Reach
Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | April 14, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee advanced updates to its public peace ordinances, lowering the...
Executive Committee Approves Local Fire District Appointments, Faces Pushback Over Delayed Elwood Seat
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | April 9, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee approved a slate of appointments for several fire protection districts, including Manhattan and...
Beecher Fire District Approves Emergency Structural Repairs for Station
Beecher Fire Protection District Meeting | February 26, 2026 Article Summary: The Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees unanimously approved emergency structural repairs to the fire station during its...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for April 7, 2026
Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 The Will County Board Finance Committee met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, to review and finalize the county's 2025...
Ad-Hoc Committee: County’s Lack of Home Rule Stifles Effort to Ban Kratom and Non-Nicotine Vapes
Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | April 14, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee approved updates to its tobacco and alternative nicotine...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Health & Safety Committee for April 2, 2026
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | April 2, 2026 The Will County Board Public Health and Safety Committee met on Thursday, April 2, 2026, to review comprehensive...
Indiana Man Faces Federal Indictment, Potential Death Penalty for Momence Bar Owner’s Murder
Article Summary: State prosecutors have officially transferred the first-degree murder case against Julius Burkes to the U.S. Department of Justice. The 47-year-old Indiana man now faces federal charges, including the...
Ad-Hoc Committee: New State Laws Force Shift in How Police Handle Student Cannabis and Tobacco Violations
Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | April 14, 2026 Article Summary: As Will County updates its drug offense ordinances to align with changing state cannabis laws, officials...