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.
Event Calendar
MondayMarch 2, 2026
FridayMarch 6, 2026
FridayMarch 13, 2026
SaturdayMarch 14, 2026
TuesdayMarch 17, 2026
ThursdayMarch 19, 2026
MondayMarch 30, 2026
FridayApril 17, 2026
TuesdayApril 21, 2026
WednesdayApril 29, 2026
Latest News Stories
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....
State Rep: Illegal immigrants cost IL taxpayers more than enforcement
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois Statehouse Republican says the cost of illegal immigration in Illinois is much more than a...
House committee to hold hearing Wednesday on Minnesota fraud
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is set to hold its first of two scheduled hearings Wednesday on the “fraud and misuse...
Court blocks Trump admin’s medical research funding cuts
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit has affirmed a lower court’s decision barring the Trump administration from cutting funding for medical and...
Trump takes aim at defense contractors as he looks to speed arms production
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump criticized U.S. defense contractors on Tuesday, saying that he wants to produce the advanced weapons that the U.S. relies on for military...
WATCH: Candidate Dabrowski wants audit as IL Child Care Services funding skyrockets
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski is calling for a forensic audit of state spending on human...
Hegseth seeks to reduce Sen. Kelly’s Navy retirement pay
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated since its initial publication to include a comment from the White House. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth plans...
Special election for Greene’s seat set for March 10
By Kim JarrettThe Center Square Former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's congressional seat will be empty at least two months, likely three, as a special election already drawing 24 candidates...
Trump lays out ‘roadmap for victory’ during GOP House retreat
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As the country is about to embark on a pivotal election year, President Donald Trump addressed the GOP U.S. House of Representatives retreat. During a...
WATCH: Trump ‘not gonna pay’ child care fraud; Immigration enforcement costs; Moving out
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 shares the latest...
