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 8
87° 69°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
US House passes Save Our Shrimpers Act
By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation aimed at stopping American taxpayer dollars from helping finance foreign shrimp operations that Gulf Coast lawmakers say...
US House passes Save Our Shrimpers Act
By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation aimed at stopping American taxpayer dollars from helping finance foreign shrimp operations that Gulf Coast lawmakers say...
CBO says Pentagon’s Golden Dome estimate off by $1 trillion
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday that President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense shield could cost American taxpayers as much as $1.2 trillion...
VA budget tops $488B as workforce stays above DOGE target
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Department of Veterans Affairs is requesting $488.2 billion for fiscal year 2027, a 7.7% increase over current spending levels, as VA Secretary Doug Collins...
VA budget tops $488B as workforce stays above DOGE target
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Department of Veterans Affairs is requesting $488.2 billion for fiscal year 2027, a 7.7% increase over current spending levels, as VA Secretary Doug Collins...
DEA warns fentanyl mixtures overwhelming overdose reversal drug
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration warned Americans Tuesday that fentanyl is increasingly mixed with a dangerous array of synthetic substances that can limit the effectiveness...
DEA warns fentanyl mixtures overwhelming overdose reversal drug
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration warned Americans Tuesday that fentanyl is increasingly mixed with a dangerous array of synthetic substances that can limit the effectiveness...
Cook County must pay for taking homes over unpaid property tax: Judge
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Cook County could be on the hook for at least tens of millions of dollars, if not more than $100 million, to...
Chicago aldermen consider $54.7M tax break for United Center project
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council may consider a $54.7 million property tax break for owners of the Chicago...
Farmers call for fertilizer price transparency, domestic growth
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Farmers and advocates on Tuesday called on Congress to implement transparency reporting requirements in fertilizer pricing. The U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee held...
Major nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown, more than 80 firearms seized
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Trump administration continues to crack down on violent Tren de Aragua Venezuelan prison gang members after they flooded the country during the Biden administration....
Illinois Quick Hits: State taxpayers to cover student loan debt for civil engineers
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that the state will pay $15,000 of eligible student loan...
Beecher Baseball Rallies Past Chicago University, 5-3
BEECHER, IL – The Beecher varsity baseball team utilized a balanced offensive attack and strong work on the mound to secure a 5-3 victory over Chicago University in Monday’s non-conference matchup....
