WATCH: Pritzker says Trump’s first year a failure; Raoul discusses prosecuting fraud
January 21, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square’s Greg Bishop discusses some of the highlights President Donald Trump provided from his first year in office of his second non-consecutive term. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Trump’s first year has been a “failure,” while Republicans in Illinois say Pritzker’s policy are not making the state safe or affordable.
Bishop also delves into the start of an investigation into overpayments in the state’s child care funding operations, with reaction from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul saying fraud should be prosecuted.
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
New Lenox Mayor Makes Passionate Plea for Civility Following Tragic News
New Lenox Village Board Meeting | December 15, 2025 Article Summary: During the New Lenox Village Board meeting on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, Mayor Tim Baldermann issued a deeply personal...
Hegseth promises to fix barracks, but work could take time
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has pledged to tackle longstanding issues with U.S. military barracks that have frustrated troops, lawmakers, and taxpayers for decades. In...
‘Long overdue’: Praise for HHS’ action to bar taxpayer-funded sex-change procedures
By Tate MillerThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ action to bar “sex-rejecting” transgender procedures for minors has met with approval from groups that aim to...
Gas prices drop, but taxes make Illinois pricier than Midwest neighbors
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although Illinois drivers are now paying less at the pump, a state lawmaker says prices would be...
Liquor License Amendments Approved for Frankfort, Joliet, and Lockport Businesses
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | December 11, 2025 Article Summary: The Executive Committee approved amendments to the County’s Liquor Control Ordinance to increase the number of available licenses,...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for December 16, 2025
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 16, 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Planning and Zoning Commission navigated attendance issues during its December 16, 2025, meeting, beginning...
Joliet Property Owner Cleared to Convert Non-Conforming Building into Two-Unit Residence
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 16, 2025 Article Summary: The Planning and Zoning Commission legalized the status of a Joliet residence that had previously contained four illegal...
Colorado adopts first-of-its-kind water protections in U.S.
By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Colorado environmental leaders approved landmark water protections in reaction to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that they believed weakened regulations in Western states. The bipartisan...
Epstein files redactions frustrate lawmakers
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Justice Department released thousands of documents on Friday related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. However, many documents were heavily redacted,...
Supreme Court weighs gun owners’ challenge to IL transit carry ban
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court says the Illinois Attorney's General office and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office will not be able to...
Nine pharmaceutical companies agree to most-favored-nation pricing
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square An additional nine of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies have agreed to offer many of their most popular drugs at most-favored-nation pricing in the U.S....
Congress leaves for holidays after zero progress on federal funding
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. lawmakers have left town for the holidays without making any actionable progress on the long-delayed fiscal year 2026 government funding bills. That means when...
EXCLUSIVE: New House committee report highlights increasing terrorism threat in U.S.
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security has released an updated report highlighting terrorism threats to Americans. It did so after holding a hearing on...
