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.
Today Jun 13
71° 51°
Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Latest News Stories
U.S. House to vote on five-year Farm Bill this week
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The House Rules Committee debated long into Monday night to prepare the five-year farm bill for a floor vote this week. Lawmakers have filed over...
Constitutional tests await IL Dems’ race-based district plan
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Later this fall, Illinois voters appear likely to get the chance to vote on a plan to rewrite the state constitution to...
State House OKs access to abortion medication at colleges
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Colorado House on Monday approved a bill allowing for the access of abortion medication on college campuses. House Bill 1335 is sponsored by Reps....
New Lenox Fire District Finalizes Command Promotions and Secures New Live-Fire Training Site
New Lenox Fire Protection District Meeting | March 16, 2026 Article Summary:The New Lenox Fire Protection District officially elevated several members to key leadership roles, finalizing the promotion of Brian...
Nonprofit hospitals called out for prioritizing politics over patients
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Consumer protection organization Consumers’ Research launched a campaign to warn Congress about nonprofit hospitals that prioritize "woke" politics such as diversity, equity and inclusion, transgender...
Americans back birthright citizenship 2-to-1, poll finds
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A majority of U.S. adults say children born in the country should automatically get citizenship, according to a new poll published as the U.S. Supreme...
Roy leads congressional delegation calling to halt federal funding for CAIR
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Outgoing U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, is again calling on the federal government to take action against the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), this time...
Marilyn Monroe’s home becomes a monument; owners sue
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Marilyn Monroe's home is the subject of a federal lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles. Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank purchased the property in...
Abbott lauds Supreme Court’s second ruling upholding Texas’ new congressional maps
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled for a second and final time in favor of Texas’ redistricting law, effectively ending all challenges to the...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox Village Board of Trustees for April 13, 2026
New Lenox Village Board of Trustees Meeting | April 13, 2026 The New Lenox Village Board of Trustees managed a heavy docket of infrastructure and financial legislation during its regular...
Illinois quick hits: Appeals court upholds Madigan corruption conviction
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Appeals court upholds Madigan corruption conviction The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s...
Special session for congressional maps set to convene
By David BeasleyThe Center Square Florida's Legislature reconvenes Tuesday for a special called session that will consider new congressional maps. Republicans could gain as many as four congressional seats in...
Trump officials explain assassination attempt charges on alleged attacker
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Trump administration officials on Monday detailed charges against the suspected attacker of the White House Correspondents' Association's Dinner in Washington, D.C. Cole Tomas Allen faced...
