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.
Sat Jun 13
73° 51°
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Trump: Iranian regime ‘disjointed’, won’t indicate if further strikes are coming
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than two months after the joint U.S., Israel strikes against Iran, President Donald Trump won’t say if he is considering further strikes against the...
House Farm Bill includes new seafood office, shrimp trade study
By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square The 2026 Farm Bill passed by the U.S. House includes new seafood provisions aimed at giving commercial fishermen and shrimpers greater access to federal agriculture...
Arizona congressman seeks to protect sex abuse victims
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square An Arizona congressman is attempting to bring a state law that protects victims from their abusers to the federal level. U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Surprise,...
Trump threatens 25% tariff on EU cars and trucks
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on European Union cars and trucks to 25%, accusing the EU of violating a trade agreement the bloc...
Trump ends tariffs on Scotch whisky after King Charles visit
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said he will remove the 10% tariff on Scotch whisky imports and lift restrictions on the barrel trade between Scotland and Kentucky,...
Defensive Struggles Plague Lincoln-Way Central in 5-1 Loss to Lockport
A slew of defensive errors and an inability to generate offense proved costly for the Lincoln-Way Central varsity baseball team, as they fell 5-1 to visiting conference opponent Lockport on...
Civil rights complaints filed over race-based healthcare scholarships
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A nonprofit advocacy group has filed federal civil rights complaints against two healthcare systems, alleging their scholarship programs unlawfully exclude applicants based on race. Do...
Candidates clamor for Carter’s open seat
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter's decision to run for U.S. Senate has attracted 14 candidates for his 1st Congressional District post. Carter, a Republican, has served...
Illinois Quick Hits: Civic federation funds ‘persistent structural imbalance’ in Illinois
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Civic Federation report has identified a persistent structural imbalance in the Illinois budget, with expenditures...
Lincoln-Way Schools Join “WillBeReady” Mutual Aid Network for Disaster Response
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Board of Education approved a Memorandum of Understanding to join the "WillBeReady" Mutual Aid Network,...
Millions Approved for Will County Highway and Road Infrastructure Projects
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board authorized nearly $4.3 million in road improvement contracts, targeting key corridors including Francis Road, Renwick Road,...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox School District 122 for March 19, 2026
New Lenox School District 122 Meeting | March 19, 2026 The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education managed a packed agenda during its March 19, 2026, regular meeting....
U.S. House OKs Fetterman bill allowing SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken
By John ColeThe Center Square A bill that would allow recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to buy hot rotisserie chicken is one step closer to becoming...
