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 27
82° 60°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Social media platforms challenge Chicago tax; Pritzker confident in statewide plan
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago faces an ongoing lawsuit over a tax ordinance on social media platforms that was imposed four...
Feds move education programs to other agencies
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The Trump administration announced Tuesday it is moving civil rights and special education programs to other federal agencies in efforts to continue the dismantling of...
Feds name five individuals charged in UFC terror plot
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Federal court records made public Tuesday reveal the identities of five individuals in the alleged terror plot to disrupt the Ultimate Fighting Championship event at...
Central Ohio man linked to foiled terror plot at White House UFC event
By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square A rural Central Ohio mother apparently reported her son’s actions to local police, leading to the arrest of a 19-year-old man in connection with what...
WATCH: Senate panel OKs limits on protests near worship
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Protesters outside churches, synagogues and other religious places will have to keep a certain distance from places of worship if the California Legislature passes a...
New Bears bill introduced for Arlington Heights
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A state representative has filed new legislation aimed at keeping the Chicago Bears in Illinois, but Gov....
Chicago pushes $21M home-purchase program, state expands its own
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Affordable housing continues to be an area Illinois leaders seek to address through expanded taxpayer-funded spending at...
Illinois Quick Hits: Justice Department moves against Evanston reparations program
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a motion to intervene in a civil rights lawsuit challenging...
Pritzker signs budget sending millions to NGOs
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a $55.9 billion state budget for fiscal year 2027, with tens of...
Oil and gas leaders: Trump Iran deal is good news, normalization to take months
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas oil and natural gas industry leaders are cautiously optimistic about the president’s announced ceasefire deal with Iran. President Donald Trump announced he plans to...
Hanaway leads push for EPA abortion pill water safety tests
By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Missouri Attorney General Liz Catherine Hanaway is leading a coalition of state AGs asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to study the...
New department to oversee childcare background checks, billions in grants
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The new state Department of Early Childhood is set to begin operating in full as of July...
Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois power company to shutter three plants
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A power company plans to shut down three Illinois facilities in the next 18 months. The Peoria...
