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 2:20AM CDT until June 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 16
73° 59°
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Trump makes history at Supreme Court amid landmark birthright citizenship challenge
By Emily Rodriguez and Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump made history Wednesday by attending oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court over his executive order seeking to end...
New Hampshire school district sued over transgender policies
By Chris WadeThe Center Square A New Hampshire school district is being investigated by the Trump administration over allegations that administrators are allowing biological men to use girls’ restrooms and...
Trump watches as high court hears challenge to his birthright citizenship order
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend Supreme Court oral arguments, observing as the justices considered a challenge Wednesday to his...
Combined Shutout, Early Offensive Burst Propel Brother Rice Past Lincoln-Way Central 7-0
CHICAGO — The Brother Rice varsity baseball team utilized a dominant combined pitching performance and a four-run first inning to defeat visiting Lincoln-Way Central 7-0 in a non-conference matchup on...
Illinois Quick Hits: Prtizker says Trump order is unconstitutional
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump’s executive order issued on Tuesday to address election integrity is...
Karales’ Six RBIs, Lee’s Two Homers Power Lincoln-Way Central to 15-2 Tournament Rout of Joliet Catholic
JOLIET, Ill. — The Lincoln-Way Central varsity softball team unleashed a staggering offensive assault on Tuesday afternoon, overwhelming host Joliet Catholic 15-2 in a tournament matchup shortened to five innings....
U of I pressed on costly abandoned development project, stance on DEI directives
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As many Illinois universities face multimillion dollar budget deficits, state senators were critical of spending by the...
JJC Board Approves Fall 2026 Course Fees Amid Debate Over Student Costs
Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | March 11, 2026 Article Summary: The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees approved a series of course fee increases for the Fall 2026...
Trump says Iran’s new leader wants ceasefire
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump announced today that Iran's new leader has requested a ceasefire, marking a possible turning point in the ongoing conflict that has gripped...
‘Conversion therapy’ bans in IL, other states, in danger, after SCOTUS ruling
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The days appear to be numbered for a Colorado state law banning so-called "conversion therapy," after the U.S. Supreme Court lopsidedly sided...
Lincoln-Way 210 Approves Student Registration and Meal Fee Increases for 2026-2027
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education approved inflationary adjustments to student registration fees,...
County Board Approves Peotone Solar Farm Amid Debates Over Union Labor and Tornado Safety
Will County Board Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: A 52-acre commercial solar energy facility in Peotone was approved by the Will County Board despite concerns raised by members...
Illinois business leaders press lawmakers as child care costs face scrutiny
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois business leaders pressured Illinois lawmakers Tuesday to approve billions of dollars in taxpayer‑funded child care investments,...
