WATCH: Pritzker says Trump’s first year a failure; Raoul discusses prosecuting fraud
January 21, 2026/
(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.
Today Jun 9
88° 70°
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Beecher Village Board Appoints New Clerk, Approves Environmental Justice Committee Role
By : Andrea Arens The Village of Beecher Board of Trustees kicked off the new year at its January 12 meeting with several key decisions, including the appointment of a...
Vance’s tie-breaking vote tanks resolution restricting Venezuela military actions
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square By the slimmest of margins, the U.S. Senate successfully derailed a resolution that would have curtailed the Trump administration’s power to continue military action in...
Federal court upholds California congressional redistricting
By Dave MasonThe Center Square California’s congressional redistricting, designed to pick up five more Democratic seats in this year’s midterm elections, was upheld Wednesday in a federal court in downtown...
Trump orders new mediation for New York rail contract dispute
By Chris Wade contributionThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered new mediation for stalled contract talks between New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority and union leaders in a last-ditch...
U.S. House passes two more govt funding bills, sending to Senate
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square In a bipartisan vote Wednesday, the U.S. House passed a minibus containing two more full-year federal funding bills, sending the package to the Senate for...
Governors seek delay on sharing cost of food stamp errors
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square State and local officials are asking Congress for a delay on sharing the cost of errors in the federal food assistance program, but said they...
Supreme Court ruling allows Bost to challenge Illinois election law
By Catrina Baker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A U.S. Supreme Court ruling clears the way for U.S. Rep. Mike Bost to challenge Illinois’...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois auto insurance rates dropping
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois auto insurance rates dropping A new report says Illinois auto insurers are lowering premiums by 4.26% in 2026 while providers...
SCOTUS rules on warrantless searches, double convictions and election suits
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court decided three cases Wednesday about political candidates' standing to sue, warrantless searches, and double convictions. The justices marked Jan. 14 as...
WATCH: WA Democrats criticize reporter probes into potential daycare fraud
By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Washington state Democratic leaders responded fiercely to the notion of journalists looking into possible fraud regarding Washington state daycares that receive taxpayer funds. The issue...
Title IX central to transgender sports cases, advocates say
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in two cases on transgender athletes participating in girls' and women’s sports. Advocates for state laws banning transgender participation...
WATCH: Legislator raises red flag over Illinois tax funds for group encouraging ICE protests
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois legislator is raising concerns about state taxpayer funds going to an organization he says is...
Bill filed to address loss of homes, equity over property tax debt
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Democratic state lawmaker has filed a bill to address the Illinois practice of county governments seizing...
