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.
⚠️ Flood Advisory issued June 7 at 4:31PM CDT until June 7 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 6
82° 70°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Bessent says Federal Reserve ‘must change course’
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Federal Reserve "must change course" on monetary policy in his most public comments on the central bank since the...
Legislation to end cashless bail in D.C., nationwide introduced in Senate
By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Nearly two weeks after President Donald Trump issued executive orders to take steps to eliminate cashless bail...
Chicago ranks near bottom in survey of best and worst run cities
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The city of Chicago ranks near the bottom in the new Best & Worst-run cities in...
WATCH: Pritzker to sue ‘immediately’ if Trump sends guard; GOP AG candidate profile
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 delivers the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Northwestern president resigns; unemployment claims rise
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square U OF I Medicine investigated for antisemitism University of Illinois College of Medicine officials have until Monday, Sept. 8, to produce...
WATCH: Pritzker: Will go to court ‘immediately’ if Trump deploys National Guard
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he will go to court if President Donald Trump sends the National...
Illinois quick hits: Madigan attempts another appeal; prison mail scanning rules proposed
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Madigan attempts another appeal Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is making another attempt to stay out of prison. Madigan filed...
IL US Rep: Failing schools cost billions in ‘epidemic’ of poor proficiency
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congresswoman says students’ failure to learn basic reading and math has major economic consequences. During...
Plaintiffs weigh steps after appeals court upholds transit concealed carry ban
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Plaintiffs in a case challenging the prohibition of concealed carry on Illinois mass transit are reviewing their...
IL comptroller candidate touts experience, focuses on transparency
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A state representative running for Illinois comptroller says she’s got the life, professional and government service experience...
WATCH: Pritzker expects feds soon; appeals court affirms transit concealed carry ban
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 shares the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Economic conditions show stability; EPA recruitment efforts
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Economic conditions show stability The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s National Financial Conditions Index was unchanged at –0.53 in the week...
WATCH: Pritzker focuses on violence intervention; VP won’t confirm deployments
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Vice President J.D. Vance is not confirming reports shared by Gov. J.B. Pritzker that federal deployments may...
House committee investigating Dem governors for ‘illegal alien’ Medicaid spending
By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is launching an investigation into the “impact of the...
Illinois quick hits: House investigating Medicaid for illegal immigrants; transit concealed carry case decided by appeals court
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square U.S. House investigating Medicaid for illegal immigrants A U.S. House committee is launching an investigation into Illinois and other states, seeking,...