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 13
71° 51°
Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Illinois Quick Hits: Downtown Chicago office vacancies hit another record high
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Downtown Chicago’s office vacancy rate has risen to a record high for the 15th consecutive quarter. Crain’s...
Trump issues dire warning to Iran as deadline looms
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” President Donald Trump warned the Iranian regime as the clock ticks toward the...
Report: Iran, inflation concern small businesses
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square U.S. small businesses reported reduced spending and hiring amid concerns over military strikes against Iran and looming inflation data, according to a new report. The...
U.S.-Israel-Iranian conflict escalating global energy, supply chain crisis
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The U.S.-Israel led attack against Iran continues to impact the global oil supply by cutting off Persian Gulf crude production and distribution. It’s not only...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee for March 26, 2026
Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | March 26, 2026 The Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee held a special workshop meeting on Thursday, March...
Green Garden and New Lenox Road Projects Approved in $2.5 Million Public Works Package
Will County Board Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved a series of heavy infrastructure contracts, highlighted by a nearly $1.6 million bridge replacement in...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for March 19, 2026
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | March 19, 2026 The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education met on Thursday, March 19, 2026, to advance several...
Trump endorses Hilton in California gubernatorial primary
By Dave MasonThe Center Square President Donald Trump has endorsed former Fox News anchor Steve Hilton in California’s Republican gubernatorial primary. Trump picked Hilton over the other prominent GOP candidate...
Feds award $1M for Rose Bowl upgrade ahead of Olympics
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Rose Bowl is getting infrastructure upgrades ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics. Just over $1 million in federal funds will go toward water and...
Trump defends Section 122 in latest tariff legal challenge
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's administration defended his newest 10% global entry tariffs against a legal challenge in a trade court. The administration said that Trump acted...
Education department rescinds Title IX resolution agreements
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on Monday rescinded portions of multiple resolution agreements, alleging that previous administrations expanded the interpretation of...
Illinois gun owners plan rally in wake of Supreme Court order
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois State Rifle Association says gun owners have run out of options in a case challenging...
Artemis II mission breaks records Monday as astronauts observe far side of the moon
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The astronauts of the Artemis II NASA mission made history just before 2 p.m. Eastern Monday when they traveled farther in their Orion spacecraft from...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois House speaker’s son to attend private school; AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University; IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois House speaker's son to attend private school Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, says his son will attend a...
