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.
Today Jun 18
59°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
USPS electric fleet push sparks cost, security and job concerns
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Postal Service is pushing forward with a major electric fleet overhaul funded partly by...
WATCH: Use of Guard debated; Trump singles out Pritzker on AI; Property tax ruling
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews heated moments...
Illinois quick hits: Chicago Fed president explains vote; Treasurer encourages Bright Start gifts
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chicago Fed president explains vote Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee has explained his decision to vote against the...
EXCLUSIVE: Canadian groups, First Nation police support stronger border security
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Despite Canadian officials arguing that the "Canada-U.S. border is the best-managed and most secure border in the world,” some Canadian groups and First Nation tribal...
More than 9,500 commercial truckers taken off U.S. roads nationwide
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square More than 9,500 commercial truckers have been taken off of U.S. roads for failing English-language proficiency checks, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. “We’ve now knocked...
Watseka Tops Peotone 54-35 Despite Balanced Scoring Effort
The Peotone Blue Devils fell to Watseka 54-35 in a non-conference matchup that saw the home team struggle to find an offensive rhythm. Despite a balanced scoring sheet that saw...
New Lenox Used Car Dealership Approved by Land Use & Development Committee
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: A special use permit for a used car dealership on Ford Drive in New Lenox Township was...
Watseka Tops Peotone 54-35 in Tough Shooting Night
Peotone struggled to find its offensive rhythm against Watseka, falling 54-35 in a non-conference matchup where shots refused to fall for the home team. Despite a competitive defensive effort, Peotone...
Land Use Committee: Monee Solar Projects Granted Extensions; Battery Storage Plans Dropped
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee granted time extensions for two separate solar farm projects...
P&Z Commission: New Women’s Recovery Center Proposed for Patterson Road Receives Support
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval for a new inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility...
WATCH: ‘Unfortunate accident’: Miss. senator blasted for comment on Guard troop shootings
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., faced heavy criticism Thursday after characterizing the recent shooting of two National Guard members blocks from the White House, killing...
Judge rules against Trump’s freeze on wind energy
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic attorneys general applauded a federal judge’s ruling this week that the Trump administration can’t halt development of all wind energy projects. Proponents have long...
WATCH: House Homeland Security hearing filled with tense exchanges
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A U.S. House hearing on homeland security wasn’t void of drama Thursday as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem engaged in several tense exchanges with Democrats,...
