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.
Sat Jun 13
73° 51°
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
New Lenox Swears In New Police Chief Micah Nuesse, Deputy Chief Brandon Tilton
Article Summary: The New Lenox Police Department has new leadership after the Village Board formally swore in Micah Nuesse as the new Chief of Police and Brandon Tilton as Deputy...
Public education budgets balloon while enrollment, proficiency, standards drop
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In return for soaring state spending on education, Illinois taxpayers are getting chronic absenteeism, poor academic proficiency...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for August 14, 2025
The Will County Board Executive Committee received a comprehensive update on the county's expenditure of $134 million in federal ARPA pandemic relief funds, learning that 61% of the total has...
New Lenox Fire District Approves Contract for $4 Million Station 62 Remodel
New Lenox Fire Protection District Meeting | July 2025 Article Summary: The New Lenox Fire Protection District Board of Trustees has approved a contract with Northern Builders to manage the...
New Lenox to Reinstate 1% Grocery Tax, Mayor Blames State Politics
Article Summary: The New Lenox Village Board is moving to locally reimpose the 1% grocery tax that the state is eliminating, a move Mayor Tim Baldermann called necessary to avoid...
New Lenox Township Receives Clean Audit, Praised for Fiscal Strength
New Lenox Township Board of Trustees Meeting | July 10, 2025 Article Summary: The New Lenox Township Board of Trustees accepted its annual audit for the fiscal year ending March...
Frankfort Approves Over $19 Million in Surplus Fund Transfers for Future Projects
Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board has approved the transfer of more than $19 million in surplus operating revenues to its capital funds to finance future infrastructure projects, equipment purchases,...
Frankfort Advances Plans for New Multi-Use Paths to Boost Pedestrian Safety
Article SummaryThe Frankfort Village Board has approved a $77,500 agreement with Robinson Engineering, Ltd. to design two new multi-use paths aimed at improving safety and connectivity in Main Park and...
Frankfort Police Department to Purchase New Portable Radios for $31,000
Article SummaryThe Frankfort Village Board has approved the purchase of 14 new Kenwood portable radios for the police department at a cost not to exceed $31,000. The new equipment will...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Frankfort Board for August 18, 2025
The Village of Frankfort Board leveraged a significant budget surplus at its August 18 meeting, approving the transfer of over $19 million into capital funds designated for future infrastructure, equipment,...
Executive Committee Details Spending of $134 Million in Pandemic Relief Funds
Article Summary: Will County has expended 61% of its $134 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with significant investments made in infrastructure, health, and economic development. Officials...
Report: Human Rights Campaign pressures transgender procedures on minors
By Tate MillerThe Center Square (By Tate Miller) – The Human Rights Campaign pressures children’s hospitals into performing transgender procedures on minors, according to a Do No Harm report. Do...
Everyday Economics: Housing market and Fed policy in focus in the week ahead
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square This week brings crucial updates on America's housing market struggles and hints about where interest rates might head next. Housing Data Dump Several major housing...
