WATCH: HHS tells Pritzker ‘show receipts’ on welfare spending; Energy bill to be signed
January 8, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares conversations about fighting welfare fraud with Truth In Accounting founder and CEO Sheila Weinberg and HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill and how Illinois could be impacted and how the state can rectify a funding freeze.
Bishop also revisits debate over energy legislation Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign Thursday in Joliet. Supporters of Senate Bill 25 say it will help keep down rates with a continued focus on renewable energy. Opponents say they’ve heard that before with previous energy policies Illinois approved that they say has only led to higher utility rates.
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 Jun 12
87° 62°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Illinois Quick Hits: University of Chicago to offer free tuition
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – University of Chicago, a private university, will begin to offer free tuition to families with an income...
Human capabilities focused in student, teacher artificial intelligence guide
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Teacher’s guide learning modules and self-assessment tools for students are part of the third annual Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence, a production of Elon University,...
U.S. House to vote on bills targeting fraudulent, foreign election donations
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House committee that oversees election laws advanced multiple bills Thursday to stop fraudulent campaign donations and foreign influence in elections. Three of the...
Responses due in Virginia redistricting appeal
By Shirleen GuerraThe Center Square Responses are due by 5 p.m. Thursday in Virginia’s emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court over the commonwealth’s congressional redistricting dispute, as outside groups...
Illinois Republicans blame taxes, lawsuits after Morton Salt exits Chicago
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Republican lawmakers are warning that the departure of iconic salt producer Morton Salt from Chicago is...
Data center regulations weighed; some worry over jobs, energy, taxes
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Major bills in both the state Senate and House may heavily regulate data centers in the state....
Solutions differ for Chicago Public Schools’ potential $1B deficit
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union says the city’s public schools could face a $1 billion budget deficit if...
Illinois ranks 46th out of 50 states for financial transparency
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report ranks Illinois 46 out of 50 states for financial transparency, partly due to the...
U.S. Supreme Court rules against trucking industry
By Andrew Rice | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision Thursday, agreed that states can protect individuals injured in...
Illinois Quick Hits: Dems look at Chicago for national conventions
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Democrat National Convention’s committee on site selection visited Chicago this week, again considered the city for...
Zinc Leaching and Flooding Concerns Dominate Testimony at Will County Solar Hearing
Will County Board Special Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 12, 2026 Article Summary: Expert and resident testimonies during Tuesday's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting highlighted severe concerns over groundwater...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Special Planning and Zoning Commission for May 12, 2026
Will County Board Special Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 12, 2026 The Will County Board Planning and Zoning Commission convened for a special, court-ordered meeting on Tuesday to...
Access Will County Dial-A-Ride Reports Massive Growth After Consolidating Paratransit Services
Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Access Will County Dial-a-Ride program has seen explosive growth in ridership following a major consolidation...
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Recommends Denial of 6,099-Acre Earthrise Solar Project After Court-Ordered Hearing
Will County Board Special Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 12, 2026 Article Summary: Following a court-mandated cross-examination hearing, the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 1-4 to recommend...
