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.
Today Jun 13
71° 51°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Lawmakers weigh in on how the ‘Blue Wave’ will impact shutdown negotiations
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The current government shutdown is the longest federal funding lapse in U.S. history as of Wednesday; however, the results of Tuesday's elections have only solidified...
Supreme Court weighs challenge to Trump’s tariff power
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's global tariffs are under question as the U.S. Supreme Court hears one of the most significant economic cases in decades with wide-ranging...
Supreme Court justices question businesses challenging Trump’s tariffs
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court presented tough questions to two lawyers challenging President Donald Trump's use of a 1977 law to impose tariffs on nations around...
New Lenox Board Gives Preliminary Approval to ‘The Patio’ Restaurant Amid Traffic Concerns
New Lenox Village Board Meeting | October 27, 2025 Article Summary: The New Lenox Village Board granted preliminary approval for a special use permit for The Patio restaurant, a popular family-owned...
Will County Committee Advances Phased Takeover of Central Will Dial-A-Ride Service
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved a five-year plan to consolidate the Central Will Dial-A-Ride service into its...
WATCH: System for ballooning diversity program criticized; prisons wrestle mail scanning
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks live with...
Illinois quick hits: Tax Competitiveness Index released; IDOT career fair in Springfield
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Tax Competitiveness Index released The Tax Foundation’s annual State Tax Competitiveness Index ranks Illinois 38th out of 50. The Land of...
Trump warns of consequences if GOP fails to kill the filibuster
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After an election night in which Democrats scored major victories, President Donald Trump convened the GOP senators at the White House, urging them to terminate...
ICE, OK officers arrest 70 foreign nationals, half illegally driving semi-trucks
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In another highway operation targeting dangerous drivers, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Oklahoma Department of Public Safety arrested 70 foreign nationals driving on...
Government shutdown harming U.S. energy and jobs due to frozen EPA permitting
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Energy advocates are warning of the harm the government shutdown is causing to American energy and jobs due to the fact that EPA permitting remains...
Congressional Perks: Congress spends on pricey airfare, lodging and private jets
By Arthur KaneThe Center Square Members of Congress regularly commute between Washington, D.C., and their home districts with taxpayers paying the tab, but some choose to spend more than others...
All eyes turn to Supreme Court as challenge tests presidential power
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments Wednesday morning in a high-profile case over tariffs that could test the limits of presidential power...
New Lenox D122 Explores Life Safety Bonds to Fund $8M Tyler School HVAC Project
New Lenox School District 122 Meeting | September 2025 Article Summary: The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education is considering issuing life safety bonds to fund the majority...
