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
71° 51°
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
ISU’s union says it cheaper to negotiate than paying
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State University support employees have entered their fourth week on strike this week as more state...
Iran conflict, refinery disruption play roles as Illinois gas price passes $4.50
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gas prices have surged in Illinois, and an American Automobile Association spokesperson says several factors are to...
Lockport Pitching Shines in Combined One-Hitter to Secure 5-3 Victory Over Lincoln-Way Central
Despite committing five defensive errors that led to three unearned runs, the Lockport varsity baseball team relied on a dominant combined one-hitter and a timely offensive surge to defeat Lincoln-Way...
Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-East St. Louis librarian sentenced for fraud, theft
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The former director of the East St. Louis public library has been sentenced to 15 months in...
Lincoln-Way Central Auxiliary Field to Get $463,875 Artificial Turf Upgrade
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education approved the purchase of artificial turf from FieldTurf USA for $463,875.62, which will...
New Lenox 122 Authorizes $1 Million iPad Refresh for Middle Grades
New Lenox School District 122 Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education authorized a massive technology purchase, allocating over $1 million to refresh the district's aging fleet...
House committee advances FISA, farm, budget to floor vote
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House Rules committee, in a 9-4 vote, advanced the farm bill, FISA extension and Senate-passed budget resolution to the House floor for a...
Comey indicted on charges of making threats against the president
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Former FBI Director James Comey could face up to 20 years in prison following an indictment on two felony counts, with the Department of Justice...
Southwest worker wins $1M judgment against union in religious discrimination case
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Nine years after suing, a flight attendant won her case against Southwest Airlines and the Transport Workers Union after she was fired for opposing union...
Prosecutors probe past comments of man charged in correspondents’ dinner attack
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Federal prosecutors plan to dig into past comments made by the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents'...
Age checks, algorithm regulations proposed to shield Illinois kids online
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Children’s safety online has been an issue of interest for lawmakers in Springfield this year, with dozens...
King Charles defends U.S., NATO alliance during address to Congress
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square In honor of the United States’ 250th birthday, King Charles III delivered a joint address in Congress Tuesday afternoon, highlighting the bond between the U.S....
Chinese national indicted in COVID-era hacking scheme extradited to Texas
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square A years-long effort has resulted in the extradition of a Chinese national facing multiple espionage charges in Houston. Chinese national Xu Zewei was extradited to...
