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 Jun 19
77° 58°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee for January 6, 2026
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, to discuss...
SCOTUS to hear Fed firing case Wednesday
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Wednesday to decide whether President Donald Trump can fire Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve...
Committee highlights failures of Afghan vetting, as funding for refugees in limbo
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Amid a scathing committee hearing on the vetting process of Afghan parolees under the Biden administration, nearly $6 billion in continual funding for refugees is...
County Board Debates Legislative Agendas; State Agenda Passes, Federal Agenda Sent Back
Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board engaged in a vigorous and at times confusing debate over its 2026 legislative priorities, ultimately passing...
District 210 Updates Online Course Policy and Increases Summer School Fees
Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education approved an increase in summer school fees and clarified policies regarding online coursework for...
Corporal Ingram completes elite leadership training program
Corporal Kurtis Ingram has successfully completed the School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) at Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety. The SPSC is an intensive 10-week program focused on...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for January 8, 2026
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | January 8, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Executive Committee met on Thursday, January 8, 2026, tackling a heavy agenda that included...
EU threatens to blow up trade deal over Trump’s plans for Greenland
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A top European official said President Donald Trump's comments could sink a trade deal between the U.S. and the 27-nation European Union. Manfred Weber, president...
Blaze Destroys Building and Food Truck at Woldhuis Sunrise Nursery
By Andrea Arens A massive fire tore through Woldhuis Sunrise Nursery late Thursday morning, destroying one greenhouse building, a food truck, damaging another building and drawing firefighters from across the...
Q1 border crossings plummet 95% from Biden era, lowest in history
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The lowest number of illegal border crossings were reported for the first quarter of a fiscal year in U.S. history in President Donald Trump’s first...
Trump says Europe will face tariffs until Denmark gives up Greenland
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Saturday that he will impose fresh tariffs on European countries until the U.S. reaches a deal to annex Greenland. Trump said...
Senate takes recess, leaving only five days to pass six govt funding bills
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. senators have left town for a week-long recess, leaving themselves only five days to pass the six remaining federal government funding bills. Congress is...
011926 CLEAN SLATE (copy)
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker signs Clean Slate Act to automatically seal some criminal convictions 011926 CLEAN SLATE IRN JIM TALAMONTI CLEAN SLATE VERSION 1...
Trump’s Great Healthcare Plan ‘central’ to long-term policy solutions, health sharing ministry says
By Tate MillerThe Center Square A health sharing ministry is expressing its support for President Donald Trump’s newly announced “Great Healthcare Plan,” stating the plan’s promise of transparency and affordability...
