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
85° 70°
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Pritzker pushes housing plan described as ‘all stick,’ no carrot
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is pushing to prevent local communities from restricting housing development, but local leaders say...
Alleged attacker charged with attempted assassination of Trump
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The man accused of storming the White House Correspondents' Associations Dinner has been charged with the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump. Cole Tomas Allen...
Republican lawmakers say shooting proves need for Trump ballroom
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square In light of the Saturday shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, congressional Republicans are calling for an end to the Department of Homeland...
White House calls for DHS funding after correspondents incident
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The White House on Monday called on Congress to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents'...
Report: $186 billion in federal payment errors likely an undercount
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Federal agencies made an estimated $186 billion in improper payments in fiscal year 2025, a $24 billion increase from the prior year, according to a...
Convenience store advocate: Swipe fee ruling is ‘one step’ in the process
By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square *The Center Square) – The federal government has moved to partially block an Illinois law banning electronic processing fees on the tax and tip portions...
Report: Sharp ideological divide in Minnesota congressional delegation
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A new report analyzing congressional voting records shows a clear ideological divide between Minnesota’s Republican and Democratic delegations. In its idealogical rankings, the Institute for...
White House correspondents’ dinner shooter faces formal charges
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The California man accused of charging security and shooting a Secret Service officer at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday night will appear Monday...
Deferred maintenance blamed in I-64 bridge hole
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State transportation officials say repairs are underway after a large hole developed on an Interstate 64...
Supreme Court strikes down Texas redistricting lawsuit, upholds new maps
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday struck down a challenge to Texas' new congressional maps. The court reversed Abbott v. LULAC, a case that sought...
Supreme Court to hear migrant farm worker case
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case over the constitutional authority of federal agencies to handle migrant farmworker disputes. The case, Department of Labor...
Illinois quick hits: Convicted felon suspected of shooting two officers; Chicago Mayor orders up to $900,000 for additional peacekeepers; Belleville man faces attempted murder charge
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Convicted felony suspected of shooting two officers One Chicago police officer is dead and another was critically injured after a man...
Lincoln-Way D210 Approves $483,000 Agreement with Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, Adds Seventh Athletic Trainer
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education approved a new three-year, $483,000 contract with the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute...
Manhattan Fire Board Reviews Financials, Navigates ‘No Tax on Overtime’ Law
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | March 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District reviewed its early 2026 financial status while command staff outlined upcoming administrative hurdles, including compliance...
