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 12
87° 61°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Lawsuit: Amazon prefers Trump favoritism to customer refunds
By John O’Brien | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Amazon refused to pursue refunds after charging customers extra during President Donald Trump’s later-invalidated tariff policy, a new lawsuit alleges. Hagens Berman,...
Illinois Quick Hits: Independent candidate filing period opens
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Today is the first day of the filing period for independents and new party candidates seeking state...
Report: Cautionary advice to governments granting overzealous tax breaks
By David BeasleyThe Center Square Data centers can produce "tremendous dividends” for both the national economy and local communities, a taxpayer’s group concludes in two new studies. The centers have...
‘Exploited tax dollars’: Trial law firms donate almost exclusively to Democrats
By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Two new reports from consumer advocacy group Alliance for Consumers show that what the group calls the “Shady Eight" trial law firms have donated almost...
Supreme Court takes up Georgia Title IX case
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case regarding alleged sex discrimination in Georgia public schools, the high court announced Monday. The...
Will County Executive Committee Splits on Whether to Ask Voters About Single-Member Districts
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | May 14, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, May 14, 2026, took the temperature of members on a...
Will County Departments to Stop Accepting Pennies, Rounding Down Cash Transactions
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryIn preparation for the U.S. Mint ceasing production of the penny in November 2025, the Will County Finance Committee...
Everyday Economics: The economy is still standing, but the squeeze Is building
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square This week brings three important reads on the economy: the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index, new home sales and the Personal Consumption Expenditures report....
Kentucky to select candidates in high profile races
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Kentucky voters will head to the polls on Tuesday in some of the most closely watched primary races in the country. Voters will select candidates...
Alabama voters to elect candidates in redrawn map
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Alabama voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to select partisan candidates for various statewide races, but some districts for the U.S. House will...
Legislative Committee: Federal Update Highlights $79 Billion ICE Funding and DHS Reconciliation
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryFederal lobbyist KP of Smith Garson provided the committee with an update on Capitol Hill maneuvering, noting that the...
Do midterm redistricting efforts favor Republicans?
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court slapped down an appeal from Virginia Democrats Friday to uphold their redrawn map of congressional districts, preserving what appears to be...
Illinois lawmaker calls for Aurora mayor’s resignation over alleged ICE ‘doxxing’
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. Adam Niemerg, who serves on the Immigration and Human Rights Committee, is calling...
