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°
Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Latest News Stories
Trump orders Department of War to begin testing nuclear weapons
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered the U.S. Department of War to immediately start testing U.S. nuclear weapons just ahead of a meeting with President...
WATCH: Tax proposals draw questions from Pritzker and GOP state rep
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are considering progressive revenue measures in the final hours of the fall veto session, but...
Illinois quick hits: Former sheriff’s deputy guilty in Massey murder; appeals court intervenes in Bavino case
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Former sheriff's deputy guilty in Massey murder A jury has found a former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy guilty of second-degree murder...
WATCH: Warnings of higher IL property taxes heard as pension bill advances
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Supporters of an Illinois Statehouse pension measure say it is a “fix” for Tier 2 public employee...
Top-selling automaker confirms U.S. investment, but no details yet
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The world's top-selling automaker said it plans to continue investing in U.S. operations but wouldn't confirm on Wednesday that it will be $10 billion, as...
Fentanyl poised to take center stage during Trump, Xi meeting
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Fentanyl is set to be at the center of President Donald Trump’s scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday morning. Trump told reporters last...
‘Outrageous’: Lawmakers bash Biden admin for targeting, surveilling 156 Republicans
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Biden administration’s probe into President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss progressed far beyond investigating potential fraud and potentially targeted 156 conservatives and conservative organizations....
WATCH: Cruz calls on House to impeach federal judge over subpoenas of Republicans
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, on Wednesday called on the U.S. House of Representatives to impeach a federal judge involved in an investigation into President...
WATCH: Pritzker declares agricultural trade ‘crisis’ while Trump touts new deals
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed an executive order to declare an agricultural trade crisis in Illinois. The...
Economists say Trump’s tariff play could boost trade deficits
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Economists told the U.S. Supreme Court that President Donald Trump's plan to reduce U.S. trade deficits will backfire, exacerbating the underlying issue the president used...
Amnesty International condemns U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Amnesty International, a human rights organization, condemned U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific that have killed 57 people...
Federal Reserve cuts key interest rate for second time this year
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter-point on Wednesday for the second time this year, not nearly as much as President Donald Trump...
Immigrants grow Michigan’s population, advocates say
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Detroit’s population grew for the second year in a row after years of steady decline, according to census data. Advocacy groups attribute much of the...
