WATCH: GOP governor candidates forum highlights; Pritzker talks taxes increase, Bears
January 20, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square’s Greg Bishop provides highlights from Monday evening’s Illinois State Rifle Association Republican gubernatorial candidates forum at GAT Guns in East Dundee. The entire forum can be viewed here.
Bishop also airs some of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s news conference after signing the Clean Slate Act into law where the governor talked about criminal justice reform, taxing millionaires and the ongoing question of where the Chicago Bears will land a new stadium deal.
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.
Fri Jun 19
78° 59°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Coloradans react to ruling against ban on conversion therapy
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Coloradans have mixed reactions to this week's U.S. Supreme Court ruling against the state's ban on conversion therapy for the LGBTQIA+ community. At issue in...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago city workers owe more than $19M
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago city workers reportedly owe more than $19 million in traffic tickets, water bills and fines, yet...
JJC Board Prepares for 2028 Bond Expiration, Advances Grundy Campus Despite Objections
Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | March 11, 2026 Article Summary: Joliet Junior College is laying the groundwork for a potential future referendum and advancing its Grundy County expansion...
Attorney expects conversion therapy ruling to impact Illinois ban
By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square Illinois’ ban on conversion therapy may be challenged in the near future. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 against a similar prohibition in...
White House govt funding request for 2027 cuts $73 billion
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The White House proposes a dramatic increase in defense spending in fiscal 2027 while significantly reducing spending in other departments, according to its budget submission...
Dems sue over Trump’s executive order on mail-in ballots
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic officials from 23 states and the District of Columbia announced Friday they're suing to block President Donald Trump’s recent executive order regulating mail-in and...
GAO again warns Congress about nation’s ‘unsustainable fiscal path’
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A federal watchdog warned Congress on Friday about the nation's mounting fiscal dangers, urging lawmakers to address what it called an "unsustainable fiscal path." The...
Millionaire’s tax proposal draws mixed reviews as deadline approaches
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Supporters of a 3% surcharge on income more than $1 million have less than a month to...
U.S. fighter jet shot down over Iran; frantic search and rescue underway
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A U.S. fighter jet has been shot down over southern Iran, as a search and rescue mission is underway, according to multiple reports. Reports indicate...
Universities warn state funding delays are wasting millions in taxpayer investment
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Long‑delayed university repair funding is leaving campuses across the state with holes in their roofs, and in...
Trump seeks 44% increase to boost military budget to $1.5 trillion
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a budget that calls for a 44% increase in military spending, aiming to bolster the nation's defenses, but the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student’s alleged killer faces federal firearm charge
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An 18-year-old Loyola University student’s accused killer has also been charged with illegal possession of a firearm....
U.S. adds 178k jobs in ‘strong’ March report amid Iran conflict
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. economy added 178,000 jobs in March, exceeding expectations, after one month of conflict between the United States and Iran. The unemployment rate dropped...
Will County Kicks Off Comprehensive Land Resource Management Plan Update with Focus on Proactive Zoning and Environmental Justice
Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | March 26, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee held a special workshop to kick off...
