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 6
86° 71°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
EEOC celebrates 200 days of protecting religious freedom under Trump
By Tate MillerThe Center Square The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is celebrating the ways they’ve protected religious freedom in the workplace over Trump’s past 200 days in office. “These efforts...
After Initial Rejection and Tense Debate, Board Reconsiders and Approves Contested DuPage Township Business
Article Summary: In a rare reversal, the Will County Board approved a special use permit for a landscaping business in a residential area of DuPage Township after the measure initially...
U.S. mining operations discarding rare minerals at center of trade talks
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. mining operations are discarding valuable minerals needed for everything from electric vehicles to missile defense systems that could reduce U.S. dependence on foreign nations....
Duffy warns states to enforce English proficiency requirements for truckers
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square California, New Mexico and Washington could risk losing federal funding if they fail to enforce English Language Proficiency requirements for commercial motor vehicle drivers, U.S....
Illinois quick hits: Chicago businesses at 10-year low; school admin survey closes soon
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chicago businesses at 10-year low The number of businesses operating in Chicago has reached a 10-year low. Citing city license data,...
Pritzker unveils Illinois LGBTQ hotline amid debate over transgender athletes
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Reports of a transgender student being accepted onto the Conant High School girls volleyball team has...
WATCH: Trump ends funding for cashless bail policies, hedges on Guard deployment to Chicago
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 some of...
Hochul pushes back on Trump’s cashless bail funding threat
By Chris WadeThe Center Square New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing back on President Donald Trump's "reckless" push to do away with cashless bail, saying the move to withhold...
Education Department finds GMU Violated Title VI
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced George Mason University violated federal law by hiring and promoting staff based on race and...
Redistricting opponents immediately appeal to CA voters
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Opponents of California’s congressional redistricting argued their case in ads that voters received in their mail immediately before or after the Legislature approved a constitutional...
Former Transportation Secretary urges state taxpayer funding for Chicago transit
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A former U.S. transportation secretary says Downstate Illinois residents should help fund Chicago transit, but a Metro...
Illinois quick hits: Education tax benefits available; Giannoulias orders license plate reader to shut off access to CBP
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Education tax benefits available As students across Illinois return to the classroom, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue...
WATCH: Trump order withholds funds over no-cash bail policies like Illinois’
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Taxpayer resources should not be used to support jurisdictions with cashless bail policies, according to a new...
