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°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Pritzker decision looms for energy bill ‘on ratepayers’ backs’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has indicated support for energy legislation awaiting his signature, but small business owners are...
WATCH: Use of National Guard debated in U.S. Senate as Illinois case lingers
By Greg BishopThe Center Square While the use of the National Guard remains on hold in Illinois, pending a legal challenge, the U.S. Senate is debating having troops on American...
Illinois quick hits: Senator’s deferred prosecution deal approved; Indiana Senate votes against new maps
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Senator's deferred prosecution deal approved U.S. District Court Judge Andrea Wood has approved a deferred prosecution agreement to resolve the bribery...
Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination makes first in-person appearance in court
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The Utah man charged with assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk appeared in person before a Utah court Thursday for the first time since his arrest....
Pro-life orgs call out FDA, Makary for not fulfilling promise to review abortion drug
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Pro-life groups are holding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and its commissioner Marty Makary accountable for leaving its promise to review the “dangerous” abortion...
Bill to extend enhanced Obamacare subsidies dies in Senate
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As expected, lawmakers failed to pass either of the competing partisan health care bills in the Senate on Thursday. The result all but ensures that...
Judge: CHA lawyers must pay $59K for citing ChatGPT-created cases
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Lawyers who defended the Chicago Housing Authority in a case that resulted in more than $32 million in judgments to two families...
Op-Ed: Your kids now belong to the Chicago Teachers Union
By Mailee Smith | Illinois Policy InstituteThe Center Square Students who can’t read and secrecy from parents – that’s just part of the legacy of Stacy Davis Gates during her...
Illinois quick hits: Former police chief convicted of bribery; man sentenced for fraud
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Former police chief convicted of bribery A federal jury has convicted a former Summit, Illinois police chief of bribery offenses for...
WATCH: Chicago mayor: ‘Wicked’ people want chaos; critics rip mayor
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The mayor of Chicago has expressed his opposition to an alternative budget proposal from the city council....
WATCH: Chicago mayor warns of budget ‘chaos,’ end-of-life options bill on gov’s desk
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 provides highlights from...
Ogalla Blasts New State Solar Legislation
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: During a discussion on zoning matters, Will County Board Member Judy Ogalla strongly criticized the passage of...
Committee Postpones Vote on Brandon Road Fill Operation After Tree Clearing Allegations
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee voted to postpone a decision on a proposed clean...
Beecher Schools to Publish Curriculum Maps Online; Board Discusses Future Foreign Language Mandates
Beecher Board of Education Curriculum Committee Meeting | Dec. 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher School District 200-U Curriculum Committee outlined plans to increase transparency by publishing full curriculum maps on...
