WATCH: GOP governor candidates forum highlights; Pritzker talks taxes increase, Bears
January 20, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square’s Greg Bishop provides highlights from Monday evening’s Illinois State Rifle Association Republican gubernatorial candidates forum at GAT Guns in East Dundee. The entire forum can be viewed here.
Bishop also airs some of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s news conference after signing the Clean Slate Act into law where the governor talked about criminal justice reform, taxing millionaires and the ongoing question of where the Chicago Bears will land a new stadium deal.
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.
Latest News Stories
Manhattan Park District Advances Round Barn Renovations, Launches Girls’ Softball Following Minor ‘Winter Fest’ Fire
Manhattan Park Board Meeting | February 12, 2026 Article Summary: The Manhattan Park District is expanding its recreational offerings with a new girls' softball league while simultaneously executing extensive renovations...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Capital Improvements & IT Committee for March 3, 2026
Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | March 2026 The Will County Capital Improvements and IT Committee met on Tuesday to address the county's physical and digital infrastructure. The meeting...
Lincoln-Way West Pitching Tosses One-Hitter in 11-0 Rout of Plainfield South
The Lincoln-Way West varsity softball team delivered a suffocating one-hit shutout on Tuesday afternoon, rolling to an 11-0 non-conference road victory over Plainfield South in a five-inning, run-rule shortened contest....
Chicago can’t ditch airlines’ suit vs ‘disruptive’ paid sick leave rules
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Saying it appears likely the city's sick leave ordinance would disrupt airlines' ability to function, a federal judge has rejected Chicago City...
FEMA says funding debate didn’t affect response to Hawaii
By Liam HibbertThe Center Square The partial federal government shutdown did not impact the Federal Emergency Management Agency's immediate response to the severe flooding in Hawaii, a FEMA spokesperson told...
Maryland Supreme Court tosses Blue cities’ climate lawsuits against energy companies
By Dan McCalebThe Center Square The Maryland Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed three lawsuits filed by Democrat-run jurisdictions claiming oil and gas companies concealed information about their products’ contributions to...
Arizona Senate majority leader blasts Phoenix resolution limiting ICE operations
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Arizona Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh is criticizing the city of Phoenix for its resolution restricting federal immigration enforcement. Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, told The Center...
$4.4B budget request for new Illinois early childhood agency draws scrutiny
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An agency focused on early childhood education created by state lawmakers in 2024 has made its first...
Lawmaker, officer warns Elgin officer firing could chill free speech
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and law enforcement officer is sharply criticizing the city of Elgin’s decision to...
Airline nixes perk for flying lawmakers as DHS shutdown continues
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square As a partial government shutdown continues, one major airline has suspended services for flying lawmakers as travel chaos builds at U.S. airports. The ongoing partial...
Student sues school over removal of Charlie Kirk tribute
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square A North Carolina high school student is suing over alleged violations of her constitutional rights after her school painted over her Charlie Kirk tribute and...
Illinois quick hits: Coalition calls for more action on data centers
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Coalition calls for more action on data centers The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition says more action is needed from the Illinois...
Asylum advocates disappointed by Supreme Court arguments
By Emily Rodriguez and Andrew RiceThe Center Square Immigration asylum advocates expressed disappointment with justices on the Supreme Court after arguments Tuesday regarding asylum protections. The case, Noem v. Al...