WATCH: Congressional seat at stake; Pritzker on Medicaid costs, school choice, ICE
January 29, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square’s Greg Bishop continues to unpack data from this week’s release of U.S. Census estimates that shows the prospect of the state losing more seats in Congress.
Bishop also airs Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s response to questions about increased Medicaid costs for children without Social Security Numbers, ongoing immigration enforcement and whether the state is going to opt in to the national school choice scholarship tax credit program.
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.
Latest News Stories
Chicago suit vs oil cos. may yet survive SCOTUS ruling, judge hints
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Even as the Supreme Court considers a Colorado case that oil companies believe will decide if city and state governments can sue...
Two of ComEd Four released. new trial pending
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A U.S. appellate court has ordered two defendants in the ComEd Four case to be released pending...
GOP candidate Bailey urges Trump to apologize to pope; bishop calls for dialogue
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After President Donald Trump refused to apologize for his social media criticism of Pope Leo XIV, a...
Illinois Quick Hits: CTU-backed senator launches ‘tax the rich’ campaign
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois legislator backed by the Chicago Teachers Union is renewing her call to tax the rich...
Senator says taxpayers fleeced by corrections department
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Corrections is facing questions over its failure to comply with state law while...
Lawmaker slams Illinois tuition bill favoring illegal immigrants
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, is raising concerns about a proposal he says would expand access...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee for April 7, 2026
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 The Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, moving forward a...
Illinois Quick Hits: $3M in taxpayer funds go to Chicago neighborhood center
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers have provided $3 million for a new neighborhood center on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Gov. J.B....
Veterans Assistance Commission Buildout Complete, Body Scanner Installed at Juvenile Center
Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Facilities Department announced the successful completion of the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) building...
Temu, Shein hit with class actions demanding tariff refunds
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Online Chinese discount marketplace giants Temu and Shein have each been hit with nationwide class action lawsuits, demanding they repay customers for...
Illinois has most government units, but consolidation brings challenges
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report says Illinois is among the most fragmented states in the nation when it comes...
Illinois quick hits: Southwest to lay off 107 as O’Hare service ends
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Southwest to lay off 107 as O'Hare service ends According to an Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice, 107...
State House passes 133 bills, many potential impacts for Illinoisans
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois House of Representatives passed a total of 133 bills last week, sending them to the...
Forest Preserve District Advances Major Extensions and Repairs on Plum Creek Greenway Trail in Crete Township
Article Summary: The Forest Preserve District is currently undertaking dual construction projects on the Plum Creek Greenway Trail, initiating a massive 1.5-mile southern extension through Plum Valley Preserve and commencing...