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.
⚠️ Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 10 at 2:40PM CDT until June 10 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 9
90° 69°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Traffic Alert: Wolf Road water repairs rescheduled for Tuesday
MOKENA – Drivers traveling through Mokena should prepare for delays on Wolf Road tomorrow, as village officials have rescheduled planned water system repairs. The Village of Mokena announced that the infrastructure...
Ex-Illinois candidate sides with Vance after Duckworth–Rubio clash
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, is facing fresh criticism after Vice President J.D. Vance likened her...
Illinois Quick Hits: Judge rules Cook County misspent $243M
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A circuit court judge has ruled that Cook County spent $243 million in violation of the Illinois...
Will County P&Z Forwards Monee and Manhattan Residential Projects
Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: The PZC approved zoning requests facilitating residential improvements in Monee and Manhattan. The approvals allow for the construction of...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Beecher for January 26, 2026
Village of Beecher Meeting | January 26, 2026 The Beecher Village Board of Trustees met on Monday, January 26, 2026, to handle significant policy updates and financial business. The primary...
Will County P&Z: Wilton Township Wedding Venue Secured for 2026 Season
Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: For the third consecutive year, the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a temporary use permit for...
Beecher Library Board Approves Personnel Changes Following Executive Session
Beecher Public Library District Board Meeting | December 16, 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher Library Board hired a new part-time employee and approved a new independent contractor position for book...
Chicago FOP boss: Mayor’s ICE on Notice order is ‘piece of toilet paper’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order directing members of the city’s police department to...
Lawmaker, officer: ‘Blue Envelope” could help navigate autism during stops
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker who also serves in law enforcement says proposed legislation creating a “Blue Envelope”...
Will County P&Z Grants Variances for Unpermitted Structures in Crete and Manhattan
Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Planning and Zoning Commission approved variances for property owners in Crete and Manhattan who built agricultural structures without...
Village Authorizes Collective Bidding for Electricity Rates
Village of Beecher Meeting | January 26, 2026 Article Summary: To combat fluctuating energy prices, the Beecher Village Board authorized the Village Administrator to lock in fixed electricity rates for...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Landfill Committee for Jan. 13, 2026
Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 The Will County Board Landfill Committee met on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, to address operational improvements at the Prairie View Landfill...
Monee Police warn residents of phone scammers impersonating officers
MONEE, Ill. – The Monee Police Department issued a community alert this week regarding a resurgence of telephone scams in which fraudsters are impersonating police officers to solicit money from residents....
