WATCH: System for ballooning diversity program criticized; prisons wrestle mail scanning
November 5, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks live with The Center Square investigative reporter Jared Strong about his series of stories covering the cost, effectiveness and criticism of the state’s diversity contracting program. Read Strong’s latest here.
Bishop also shares some of the latest debate about operations of the Illinois Department of Corrections with coverage of the agency’s director being confirmed by the Illinois Senate despite criticism and the emergency rules to scan inmate mail as a way to divert illicit substances harming prisoners and staff.
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 22
78° 58°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Everyday Economics: History doesn’t repeat, but the Fed Is hearing an echo
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square Read this week's Fed minutes carefully and you'll hear 1970s.The Fed has stopped debating when to cut. Now it's debating whether to hold higher for...
Illinois DHS appointment sparks backlash over alleged voter registration mailer practices
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The appointment of Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Dulce Quintero is drawing renewed criticism from...
Arctic defense begins in Galveston after Memorial Day
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square As Texans celebrate Memorial Day weekend, 190 years of Texas independence and 250 years of American independence this year, they are also celebrating a new...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker urges megaprojects support for Bears
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says megaprojects legislation is shaping up in the Illinois Senate. A reporter asked the...
Lincoln-Way 210 Backs Mokena Downtown TIF Extension to 2044
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education on Thursday, May 21, 2026, voted unanimously...
Shooting outside White House leaves one dead, one injured
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Two people were shot, including the suspected gunman, in a shooting outside the White House Saturday night. The suspected gunman was shot and killed by...
Bill to let felons vote from prison draws criticism from Republicans
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Some Democrats and electoral rights groups want progress on legislation in Springfield that would give people in...
Supreme Court yet to decide high profile cases
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Birthright citizenship, transgender athletes in female sports and federal firing powers are among more than two dozen cases yet to be decided by the U.S....
Government spending on seniors’ benefits soon to make up majority of federal budget
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square More than half of the federal budget will go toward benefits for Americans 65 years and older by 2036, and that percentage is set to...
New Lenox Board Approves $1.02 Million Turf Infill Fix for Sports Complex
Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox Village Board for May 18, 2026 Article Summary: The New Lenox Village Board on Monday, May 18, 2026, approved a not-to-exceed $1,026,930 proposal with...
Illinois Dems seek to expand post-release convict support, housing
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Lawmakers in Springfield are pushing to pass legislation to provide people recently released from prison with housing,...
$580B federal highway bill clears committee; includes rail safety, EV fees
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A long-awaited bill spending $580 billion on American highways and transportation infrastructure is on track to hit the U.S. House floor for a vote as...
Tennessee smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia dismissed
By Kim JarrettThe Center Square A federal judge dismissed Tennessee charges against a man who, at one time, was at the center of the immigration debate. Kilmar Abrego Garcia was...
