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 18
77° 59°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
National shutdown, strike planned for Friday, Jan. 30 in protest of ICE
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square A “national shutdown” and strike has been planned for Friday by several groups in protest of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “No work. No school....
Gori firm accused of fraud, racketeering, ‘bounties’ in asbestos litigation
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Los Angeles-based maker of plastic pipes has sued the Gori Law Firm, accusing the most prolific filer of asbestos litigation of...
WATCH: Democratic legislators introduce anti-ICE legislation
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square A coalition of Democratic legislators announced several bills they're introducing this year to target the activity of U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement in California. “Across...
Illinois Quick Hits: Grayson gets 20 years for murder
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting...
Bill Cassidy, facing Trump-backed challenger, bets on ‘who delivers’
By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy is running for a third term on a pivotal wager: that a record of delivering federal dollars to Louisiana and pushing...
Trump Cabinet meeting: New Fed chair, coal saving lives, Russia and Ukraine
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The administration will announce its pick for a new Federal Reserve chair next week. Coal-powered energy saved lives during Winter Storm Fern. An impending Russia-Ukraine...
Paul introduces legislation to halt welfare funding for non-citizens
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square With billions of American taxpayer dollars on the line, and funding for over a dozen welfare benefits for refugees set to continue, U.S. Sen. Rand...
Food companies push back on Pennsylvania bills to ban certain food products
By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square Representatives of the American Beverage Association said Tuesday the proposed bans for artificial ingredients in Pennsylvania are unnecessary and advocated for a national FDA-approved standard...
Pritzker, Johnson express concerns about 2028 DNC with Trump in office
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has questions about how federal law enforcement might act if Chicago plays host to...
Pritzker looks for rules for federal school choice scholarship program
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Despite having a similar state program expire, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker remains on the fence about whether...
Ex-deputy sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting...
Chicago homelessness on rise; advocates push for change
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness City Policy Manager M Nelson is looking to change the way...
Will County P&Z Approves Mokena Scrap Drop-Off Despite Municipal Objections
Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission granted a special use permit for an outdoor recyclable material drop-off facility...
