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.
⚠️ Flood Watch issued June 17 at 12:53PM CDT until June 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 16
72° 59°
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Illinois Quick Hits: HHS: IL abortion referral rule violates federal law
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has notified Illinois officials that the state is violating...
Vance blasts media, defends ICE during Minneapolis visit
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Vice President J.D. Vance called out the mainstream media and protestors during a Thursday afternoon news conference from Minneapolis. “Frankly, a lot of the media...
Trump says Greenland deal underway despite few details
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Thursday a deal structure regarding Greenland is developing after he stepped back from threatened tariffs on European allies, which he previously...
WATCH: Showdown at SCOW: Court takes up voter-approved natural gas protection
By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The Washington Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday in a case challenging Initiative 2066, a measure approved by voters in Nov. 2024, to make sure natural...
Bill would ban gender transition procedures for minors
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square A new bill would ban gender transition procedures for Arizona minors. State Sen. Mark Finchem, R-Prescott, this week introduced Senate Bill 1095, which would prevent...
WATCH: Resolution condemning federal immigration law enforcement sparks debate
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House Democrats are calling for investigation, prosecution and impeachment of federal immigration law enforcement. State Rep....
WATCH: Lawmakers spar over taxpayer-funded Trump investigation
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Lawmakers on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee equally slammed and praised former special counsel Jack Smith over his involvement in prosecuting President Donald Trump’s alleged...
Chicago splits pension payments in hopes of Improving cash flow
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Saint Charles, worries Chicago’s newfound plan to divide annual advance supplemental...
Adequate preparation missing for GenAI in higher ed
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Adequate preparation by university faculty to use generative artificial intelligence for teaching or mentoring is not in place at their respective schools, say 68% of...
Following GOP criticism, Pritzker finds $481.6 million in budget reserves
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget says it has identified more than $480 million of budget...
Critics slam Illinois’ $36M park grants as political, wasteful
By Cat Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Pritzker administration’s recent announcement of $36 million in state grants for local park projects is...
First arrests made following St. Paul church attack, ‘more to come’
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Federal officials have made three arrests in connection with a protest that disrupted a Sunday morning church service in St. Paul. U.S. Attorney General Pamela...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago pays OT to potentially ineligible workers
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago’s inspector general has advised the city’s human resources and finance departments that from 2020 through 2024,...
