WATCH: Ives investigates tax dollars for NGOs; Republicans say Pritzker raising energy prices
January 16, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square’s Greg Bishop talks live with Jeanne Ives from Breakthrough Ideas about her investigations into state spending on non-government organizations, how to shore up the state’s budget and more.
Bishop also shares recent comments from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Republican state senators about the status of Illinois energy policy and what is driving up rates for energy consumers.
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.
Latest News Stories
Frankfort Fire District Explores Tax Referendum, Moves to Hire Outreach Consultant
Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District is taking initial steps toward asking voters for a tax increase for the first time in 25 years, citing revenue challenges and the...
Summit Hill 161 Awards $115,905 Contract for Dr. Julian Rogus School Play Area
Article Summary: The Summit Hill District 161 Board of Education unanimously awarded a $115,905 construction contract to Schwartz Construction Group, Inc. for a new play area at Dr. Julian Rogus School....
Frankfort Fire District to Spend $92,000 on New Cardiac Monitors
Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees was scheduled to approve the purchase of six new cardiac monitors and related accessories for $91,955 from ZOLL. The acquisition is...
Frankfort Fire District Reviews Tentative Budget for Fiscal Year 2025
Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District has taken the first step in its annual budgeting process with an initial review of the tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2025. District Accountant...
Will County Board Formally Opposes Heavier, Longer Trucks on National Roadways
Article Summary: The Will County Board unanimously passed a resolution opposing any federal legislation that would increase the size and weight limits for commercial trucks on the nation's roadways. The...
Energy advocate applauds oil and gas commingling updates
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Oil and gas commingling rules have been updated in accordance with the Big Beautiful Bill in order to strengthen energy production and safety, with energy...
Will County Board Approves Permits for Landscaping Business and Restaurant Liquor Service in Frankfort Area
Article SummaryThe Will County Board unanimously approved three separate special use permits for businesses in the Frankfort area, allowing a landscaping operation in Green Garden Township to continue and two...
Board Approves Engineering Contracts for Mokena Road Widening
Article SummaryThe Will County Board approved over $1.1 million in supplemental engineering contracts to advance the ongoing 80th Avenue improvement project in Mokena. The additional funding addresses project delays and...
Will County Awards $1.46 Million Contract for Kankakee Street Bridge Replacement in Manhattan Township
Article SummaryThe Will County Board has awarded a $1.46 million contract to "D" Construction, Inc. of Coal City to replace the Kankakee Street Bridge over Jackson Creek in Manhattan Township....
Crete Township Community Center to Get New Digital Sign
Article Summary: The Will County Board approved a special use permit and two variances for Crete Township, allowing for the installation of a new on-premise dynamic display sign at its...
Texas legislature passes redistricting map, governor to sign into law
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square )The Center Squar) – The Texas Senate passed HB 4, the state’s congressional redistricting plan, which changes nearly all districts and could flip up to...
Dow hits record high after Fed Chair hints at September rate cuts
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The Dow Jones Industrial Average clinched a record high Friday for the first time this year hours after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted that...
WATCH: Newsom optimistic about redistricting despite poll
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday said he’s proud of how quickly the California Legislature passed a congressional redistricting proposal that he signed, but he was...