WATCH: HHS tells Pritzker ‘show receipts’ on welfare spending; Energy bill to be signed
January 8, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares conversations about fighting welfare fraud with Truth In Accounting founder and CEO Sheila Weinberg and HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill and how Illinois could be impacted and how the state can rectify a funding freeze.
Bishop also revisits debate over energy legislation Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign Thursday in Joliet. Supporters of Senate Bill 25 say it will help keep down rates with a continued focus on renewable energy. Opponents say they’ve heard that before with previous energy policies Illinois approved that they say has only led to higher utility rates.
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.
⚠️ Flood Watch issued June 17 at 10:26AM CDT until June 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 16
73° 59°
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Land Use & Development Committee forwards Women’s Residential Recovery Center
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee unanimously recommended approval for a new women-specific residential rehabilitation...
Board Reviews Special Use for Landscape Business Near Cedar Road S-Curve
New Lenox Village Board of Trustees Meeting | Dec. 8, 2025 Article Summary: The Village Board voted not to object to a Will County special use request for a landscaping...
Will County Board Members Question Fairness of New Transit Tax Structure
Will County Committee of the Whole Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: Will County Board members expressed concerns regarding the funding mechanisms and governance structure of the incoming Northern Illinois...
P&Z Commission Advances Plan for Construction Debris Fill Operation on Brandon Road
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval for a map amendment and special use permit...
Regional Transit Agencies Tout New State Funding, Prepare for Shift to ‘NITA’
Will County Committee of the Whole Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: Regional transit leaders presented their 2026 budgets to the Will County Board, highlighting that the recent passage of...
Village Considers Phasing Out Impact Fee Reductions as Growth Continues
New Lenox Village Board of Trustees Meeting | Dec. 8, 2025 Article Summary: The New Lenox Village Board advanced a proposal to gradually phase out a long-standing 30% reduction in...
New Lenox Used Car Dealership Approved by Land Use & Development Committee
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: A special use permit for a used car dealership on Ford Drive in New Lenox Township was...
Land Use Committee: Monee Solar Projects Granted Extensions; Battery Storage Plans Dropped
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee granted time extensions for two separate solar farm projects...
P&Z Commission: New Women’s Recovery Center Proposed for Patterson Road Receives Support
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval for a new inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility...
Ogalla Blasts New State Solar Legislation
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: During a discussion on zoning matters, Will County Board Member Judy Ogalla strongly criticized the passage of...
Committee Postpones Vote on Brandon Road Fill Operation After Tree Clearing Allegations
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee voted to postpone a decision on a proposed clean...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for December 2, 2025
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 2, 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Planning and Zoning Commission met on December 2, 2025, to consider a variety of...
Metra Announces No Fare Hikes; Highlights Bridge Projects in Joliet and Mokena
Will County Committee of the Whole Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: Metra officials presented a balanced 2026 budget to the Will County Board, confirming that riders will not see...
New Lenox Village Board Approves 2025 Tax Levy; Tax Rate Projected to Decrease
New Lenox Village Board of Trustees Meeting | Dec. 8, 2025 Article Summary: The New Lenox Village Board of Trustees approved the 2025 tax levy following a public hearing, with...
Public Works Committee: Will County Consolidates Paratransit Services Amid Funding Debates
Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board’s Public Works Committee advanced an agreement to consolidate paratransit services into a single countywide...