WATCH: Legislator warns tax dollars used to impede ICE; Pritzker and Trump talk crime
January 14, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares comments from President Donald Trump and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker about crime in Chicago and federal funding for Democrat-controlled states.
Bishop also shares a conversation with Illinois state Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, about his concerns over state taxpayer funds going to a group he said is organizing and encouraging people to impede federal immigration law.
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