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 Jun 12
87° 62°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee for May 5, 2026
Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 The Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee focused heavily on long-term infrastructure planning during its...
Pittsburgh nurses lead charge for paid leave, for everyone
By Christen SmithThe Center Square Nurses across southwestern Pennsylvania see a simple answer to record-breaking staffing shortages and worsening healthcare outcomes for mothers and babies: paid family leave, not just...
Existing-home sales edge up in April as affordability improves
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Existing-home sales rose 0.2% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.02 million, rebounding after a 3.6% drop in March, according to the...
Accused correspondents’ dinner shooter pleads not guilty to all charges
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The accused White House Correspondents' Association Dinner shooter pleaded not guilty in federal court on Monday to all charges, including an attempt to assassinate President...
Illinois Quick Hits: Diesel passes $6; unleaded price drops
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The average price for a gallon of diesel fuel in Illinois has gone over the $6 mark...
U.S. Senate panel to examine fertilizer costs, food prices
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on Tuesday afternoon looking at disruptions in the fertilizer industry and the impact rising costs are...
Green Garden Solar Project Cleared to Implement Higher “Agrivoltaic” Standards
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved four variances on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, to facilitate...
Everyday Economics: Stable but weak under the surface
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The April jobs report looked fine. Payrolls rose, unemployment held at 4.3%, hours ticked up. Nothing broke. But look one layer down and the picture...
Committee: Facilities Department Reports $92,000 in Energy Savings, Completes Veterans Assistance Commission Buildout
Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryAssistant Director of Facilities Ken Rogalski reported significant energy savings and the completion of key county...
Early Offensive Barrage Propels Minooka Past Lincoln-Way Central 14-2
The Minooka varsity baseball team unleashed a relentless offensive assault on Saturday afternoon, defeating visiting Lincoln-Way Central 14-2 in a non-conference matchup that was halted after five innings due to...
Nebraska voters to elect party representatives
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Nebraska will head to the polls on Tuesday to nominate party representatives for U.S. Senate, U.S. House and the state legislature. Prominent incumbents...
U.S. farmers struggling with high price of fuel, fertilizer as bankruptcies rise
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As Congress continues working on the long-overdue federal farm bill, American farmers entering planting season are facing a grim financial landscape. Due to the U.S.-Iran...
Trump, Xi meeting to be packed with slew of hot topics
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After postponing a scheduled trip to China from March to May due to the U.S. strikes on Iran, President Donald Trump is set to visit...
