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.
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
County Committee Considers Purchase of Hillsboro Building for Probation Expansion
December 2025 Committee Meeting Article Summary: The Montgomery County Board’s Buildings and Grounds Committee is evaluating the purchase of the "Rehab Edge" building in Hillsboro to house the Probation Department...
WATCH: Reclaiming the Panama Canal could be back on the table
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Taking back the Panama Canal is “sort of on the table,” President Donald Trump told The Center Square in response to a question regarding comments...
Las Vegas tourism industry continues to decline
By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Nevada’s tourism numbers took a hit throughout most of 2025, dropping nearly 7.4% from 2024. Data from the Las Vegas Convention Visitors Authority report showed...
More states now offer school choice programs for families
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square School choice debates continue as more states opt into programs aimed at expanding educational options for families. National School Choice Week, scheduled for Jan. 25-31,...
Trump likely to make waves at biggest-ever World Economic Forum
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The largest-ever World Economic Forum braces to receive the largest-ever U.S. delegation, with President Donald Trump and others leaving Tuesday for Davos, Switzerland. Over 3,000...
Illinois House returns to session with plans for SAFE-T Act, Israel, taxes
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Higher taxes, the SAFE-T Act and state policy regarding Israel may all be on the table as...
Illinois quick hits: Bovino bounty trial to begin; Judge sentences Kentucky man to 15 years in drugs case; Pritzker criticizes Trump’s first year as Trump marks accomplishments
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Bovino bounty trial to begin Jury selection is complete for the trial of a man accused of putting a bounty on...
IL AG reviews battles vs. Trump administration: ‘365 days of chaos’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says his office has endured 365 days of chaos with President Donald...
Largest U.S. band manufacturer plans to leave Ohio, send some production overseas
By David BeasleyThe Center Square While President Donald Trump continues to use tariffs to push for manufacturing to return to the United States, the largest manufacturer of band instruments in...
WATCH: Trump says he plans to send out $2,000 tariff checks without Congress
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he could bypass Congress to send $2,000 tariff rebate checks to some Americans. This directly contradicts his top economic...
House to vote on last four govt. funding bills costing $1.2 trillion
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Ten days before the government funding deadline, congressional appropriators released the last four fiscal year 2026 spending bills for the U.S. House to vote on....
Illinois House speaker, unions push millionaire’s tax as lawmakers return
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois state representatives are scheduled to be back in Springfield this week, and there is bipartisan concern...
Reports: Walz, Frey, Ellison among those issued subpoenas by U.S. Justice
By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square High-ranking Minnesota elected officials on Tuesday were served subpoenas by the U.S. Department of Justice, according to multiple reports. Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith...
