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.
Event Calendar
MondayJanuary 19, 2026
TuesdayJanuary 20, 2026
FridayJanuary 30, 2026
FridayFebruary 6, 2026
FridayFebruary 13, 2026
SaturdayFebruary 14, 2026
MondayFebruary 16, 2026
TuesdayFebruary 17, 2026
MondayMarch 2, 2026
Latest News Stories
Feds freeze $10B in aid to Colorado, four other states
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The Trump administration froze certain federal funding to Colorado this week amid growing national concerns about fraud in government-funded programs. The U.S. Department of Health...
Republicans go on attack in hearing over $9 billion of social services fraud
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and the state attorney general were either “complicit” in the now-estimated $9 billion of social services fraud that has taken...
Trump admin dietary guidelines prioritize protein, avoid added sugars
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration on Wednesday released new dietary guidelines alongside an updated food pyramid that prioritizes protein, dairy, fruits and vegetables. The federal government is...
State leaders slam $10 billion child care freeze, promise action
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square State lawmakers slammed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services after it announced it would freeze more than $10 billion in taxpayer dollars to...
‘Implicit bias’ training mandate among new health care-related laws in Illinois
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A number of new health care-related laws have taken effect in Illinois, including one that mandates implicit...
GOP lawmaker calls for U.S. to destroy more drug cartels
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A Florida Republican said Wednesday the U.S. must bring the fight over illegal drugs to other cartels after the ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro....
WATCH: Child care funding freeze; Trump rebuts Jan. 6 testimony from Kinzinger, Pelosi
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 airs highlights from...
U.S. seizes two ‘sanctioned’ ships
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After the weekend strikes in Venezuela and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the U.S. continues to seize sanctioned vessels operating in the Caribbean...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker reacts to HHS funding freeze; Chicago crime dashboard released
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker reacts to HHS funding freeze The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has frozen access to about $10 billion...
Convicted murderer can’t use IL juvy reform law to win chance at parole
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Chicago gang member in the midst of a 40-year sentence for shooting and killing an innocent man while the other man...
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis pushes back on federal oil drilling
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, along with other state officials and environmental advocates, announced her opposition Tuesday afternoon to President Donald Trump’s efforts to expand...
Flags flown at half-staff in Sacramento in LaMalfa’s honor
By Dave MasonThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom Tuesday ordered flags in Sacramento flown at half-staff at the Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space in honor of U.S. Rep....
WATCH: IL Democrats take part in Jan. 6 hearing as Trump pushes voter ID
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – On the anniversary of the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. capitol, leading Democrats and the president...
House Dems, Trump offer competing visions of Jan. 6
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Democrat lawmakers and the Trump administration have offered competing visions on the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol. The lawmakers...
Illinois quick hits: Criminal justice grants announced; unemployment rate unchanged
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Criminal justice grants announced The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has announced $50 million in taxpayer-funded grants for historically underserved communities....