WATCH: GOP governor candidates forum highlights; Pritzker talks taxes increase, Bears
January 20, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square’s Greg Bishop provides highlights from Monday evening’s Illinois State Rifle Association Republican gubernatorial candidates forum at GAT Guns in East Dundee. The entire forum can be viewed here.
Bishop also airs some of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s news conference after signing the Clean Slate Act into law where the governor talked about criminal justice reform, taxing millionaires and the ongoing question of where the Chicago Bears will land a new stadium deal.
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.
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Land Use & Development Committee for Dec. 2025
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Land Use and Development Committee met on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, addressing a range...
Board Committee Approves Rate Hike for Private Pay Residents at Sunny Hill Nursing Home
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | December 11, 2025 Article Summary: To address operating deficits and rising costs, the Executive Committee approved a rate increase for private pay residents...
Illinois quick hits: Bovino thanks police; fire assistance grants available
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Bovino thanks police U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino has expressed his appreciation to police officers in Chicago and...
IL House Speaker: ‘not even close’ to school choice legislation
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The speaker of the Illinois House says he would put school choice legislation up for a vote...
IL comptroller: Chicago mayor’s policies chase businesses away
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza says Chicago is chasing job creators away with crippling policies. Citadel moved 900...
Menards settles deceptive 11% rebate lawsuit for $4.25M with 10 states
By Jon Styf | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Wisconsin-based Menards has agreed to pay a combined $4.25 million to settle a lawsuit from 10 states...
Pace Expands I-55 Service and Launches ‘VanGo’ in Joliet
Will County Committee of the Whole Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: Pace officials highlighted service expansions in Will County, including the recent launch of the "VanGo" reservation-based van service...
Will County Speaker Praises JJC for ‘Heroes’ Scholarship Success
Joliet Junior College Board Meeting | Dec. 10, 2025 Article Summary: Will County Board Speaker Joe VanDuyne addressed the Joliet Junior College Board, commending the institution for its efficient handling...
New Lenox Food Pantry “Inundated” as Demand Spikes
New Lenox Township Meeting | Nov. 13, 2025 Article Summary: New Lenox Township Trustee Barbara Kaupas reported a significant increase in residents seeking assistance from the food pantry in October. Despite...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox Village Board of Trustees for Dec. 8, 2025
New Lenox Village Board of Trustees Meeting | Dec. 8, 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe New Lenox Village Board of Trustees met on Monday, December 8, 2025, for a regular meeting...
Will County Executive Committee Rejects School Choice Advisory Referendum
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | December 11, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee voted against advancing a resolution that would have placed an advisory referendum...
‘Welcome Move’: 815 Mulch-It Granted More Time to Relocate in Homer Glen
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee granted a second extension to a landscape and lawn...
JJC Trustees Clash Over New Policy Controlling Information Requests
Joliet Junior College Board Meeting | Dec. 10, 2025 Article Summary: The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees passed a new policy requiring trustee inquiries to be routed through the...
New Lenox Township Trustees Set Preliminary Tax Levies, Abate Bond Debt
New Lenox Township Meeting | Nov. 13, 2025 Article Summary: The New Lenox Township Board of Trustees determined the proposed 2025 tax levies for both the township and the road district....
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Public Works & Transportation Committee for December 2, 2025
Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | December 2, 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Public Works and Transportation Committee met on December 2, 2025, to address infrastructure contracts,...