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 Jul 20
85° 60°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
AAA: Record July 4th travel expected as gas prices ease
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Drivers will get some relief at the pump this Independence Day weekend after months of high gas prices. With a record number of Americans expected...
A year after deadly floods: Foundation launches national parent pledge campaign
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Safe Summers Foundation has launched a national parent pledge campaign approaching the one-year anniversary of the July 4 historic flood that swept through the...
A year after deadly floods: Foundation launches national parent pledge campaign
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Safe Summers Foundation has launched a national parent pledge campaign approaching the one-year anniversary of the July 4 historic flood that swept through the...
Survey: Patriotism runs high as most Americans are achieving the American Dream
By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square A majority of U.S. adults say they are living the American Dream and are proud to be Americans, while negative sentiments toward AI’s effect on...
Colorado’s 50,187-acre fire tops U.S. firefighting priorities
By Robert MattesonThe Center Square A 50,187-acre wildfire in Colorado has been declared the nation's No. 1 firefighting priority. Spanning Pueblo and Custer counties, the Aspen Acres Fire is expected...
Polling: Texas’ U.S. Senate race statiscally tied
By B y Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Republican Party will hold its first-ever midterm national convention in Dallas in September as Texas’ U.S. Senate race is statistically tied. Political...
Polling: Texas’ U.S. Senate race statiscally tied
By B y Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Republican Party will hold its first-ever midterm national convention in Dallas in September as Texas’ U.S. Senate race is statistically tied. Political...
Major TdA busts in Texas, Illinois, charges include murder, kidnapping
By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Eight Venezuelan men, all illegally in the U.S., have been arrested in Texas and Illinois on...
Vought cites $30B war cost as his agency seeks $67B for conflict
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought told Congress the Iran conflict has cost "about $30 billion," six days after his own agency asked...
Vought cites $30B war cost as his agency seeks $67B for conflict
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought told Congress the Iran conflict has cost "about $30 billion," six days after his own agency asked...
Pritzker defends state ban on semiautomatic weapons
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to consider a case challenging Cook County’s ban on semiautomatic weapons,...
Pritzker defends state ban on semiautomatic weapons
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to consider a case challenging Cook County’s ban on semiautomatic weapons,...
GOP hardliners vow to blockade must-pass bills unless voter ID demands met
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Despite the looming 2026 midterm elections and the growing list of congressional responsibilities, a persistent group of Republicans are vowing to obstruct all U.S. House...
