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 Jul 22
78° 58°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Trump calls American military operation in Iran a ‘tremendous military success’
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump called the American military operation in Iran a “tremendous military success” on Wednesday at a news conference concluding his time at the...
U.S. Energy Department finalizes $3.3B loan to Texas utility
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Energy Wednesday announced it has finalized a $3.26 billion loan to utility AEP Texas, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, or...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago breaks ground on $4.7M torture memorial
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Mayor Brandon Johnson and other Chicago officials have broken ground on a $4.7 million memorial to honor...
Crude oil rises, gas prices may follow
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinoisans are bracing for higher prices at the pump after the United States resumed military action against...
Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas lead country in veteran protection
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas ranked in the top three of the states that provide veterans with adequate healthcare and pension benefits, according to a new...
Trump leaves NATO on old Air Force One, repeats claims he’s Iran’s no. 1 target
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump flew back from the 2026 NATO Summit Wednesday on the old Air Force One instead of the new Qatari-donated Boeing 747. When...
Pollster: Biggs set to win Arizona GOP gubernatorial primary
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square The Arizona GOP gubernatorial primary is set for July 21, but pollster Mike Noble says the race is “essentially over." Noble Predictive Insights released a...
Chicago mayor says head tax would have prevented deficit
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says his proposed corporate head tax would have prevented his administration’s projected budget...
Former judge Dugan avoids prison, fined $5K for obstruction
By Jon StyfThe Center Square Former judge Hannah Dugan avoided jail time but was fined $5,000 as she was sentenced on Wednesday for a felony obstruction conviction. Dugan was found...
Food-borne illness cases spike as Michigan declares outbreak
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Cases of cyclosporiasis, a food-borne illness, are skyrocketing in Michigan as the state declares it an outbreak. In a typical year, Michigan only identifies around...
Op-Ed: Women deserve protection from the harm of mail-order abortion pills
By David Bereit | Life Leadership ConferenceThe Center Square The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finally begun reviewing the data on the abortion pill mifepristone’s harms to women....
Minnesota woman pleads guilty to threatening state House speaker
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A Minnesota woman has pleaded guilty to threatening Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth after leaving a series of violent voicemails earlier this year. Rachel Marie...
Illinois lawmaker, husband indicted over alleged kickback scheme
By Sean ReedThe Center Square An Illinois state representative faces multiple counts of wire fraud and providing a false statement, according to a federal indictment released Tuesday night. State Rep....
