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.
Latest News Stories
After cutting union contracts, VA redirects $45M to veterans
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced Friday that the agency is redirecting nearly $45 million from public union costs to care for veterans. "VA...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals
By The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker signs abortion bills Two bills Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted Friday impact access to abortion procedures. House Bill 3637 shields health care providers from...
WATCH: IL Department of Human Services’ adverse audit draws legislators’ ire
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A recent adverse audit of the Illinois Department of Human Services is the worst audit seen by...
Illinois prisons to publish annual data on contraband, safety and overdoses
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new law requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to publish annual data on contraband, substance...
WATCH: Trump says ‘dangerous’ Chicago next after addressing crime in D.C.
By Greg BishopThe Center Square President Donald Trump says Chicago is next on his list of cities to focus on cleaning up crime. In December, after Trump was elected to...
Gallego, others question Meta on policies for kids using AI
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, along with nine other senators, wrote a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg this week inquiring about the company’s policies...
Commission enacted to aid young IL farmers facing challenges
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted a law launching the Farmland Transition Commission, a lifeline for young farmers...
Appeals court: Serious Chicago police disciplinary hearings must be public
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A panel of appellate court judges has ruled Chicago police officers facing serious misconduct allegations must...
WATCH: IL child welfare interns debate heats up; state financial audit released
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 talks live with...
Georgia ICE arrests up 367 percent from 2021, making for ‘safer streets, open jobs
By Tate MillerThe Center Square U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests surged by 367% in Georgia this year, with 4,500 illegal aliens arrested in the state between January 20 and...
Illinois quick hits: CUB challenges Ameren rate hike plan
By The Center SquareThe Center Square Disaster proclaimed in three counties A disaster proclamation has been issued for Cook, Jersey and Calhoun counties after severe weather last month. Gov. J.B....
Experts call for probe after Microsoft left out China ties in Pentagon security plan
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Microsoft is facing renewed calls for a congressional investigation after ProPublica revealed the company omitted key details about its use of China-based engineers in a...
FBI raids the home of John Bolton
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The Maryland home of former UN Ambassador John Bolton has been raided by the FBI, according to multiple reports. FBI Director Kash Patel posted a...
