WATCH: Pritzker says Trump’s first year a failure; Raoul discusses prosecuting fraud

WATCH: Pritzker says Trump’s first year a failure; Raoul discusses prosecuting fraud

January 21, 2026/

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(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

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois quick hits: IG finds 26 cases of sexual misconduct at Chicago schools

Illinois quick hits: IG finds 26 cases of sexual misconduct at Chicago schools

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square IG finds 26 cases of sexual misconduct at Chicago schools The Office of Inspector General for the Chicago Board of Education...
Federal funding bill decreases spending, limits firing power

Federal funding bill decreases spending, limits firing power

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to pass a funding bill on Thursday that would take a step toward averting a partial government shutdown...
IL House speaker signals insurance regulation described as 'ill-advised'

IL House speaker signals insurance regulation described as ‘ill-advised’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The speaker of the Illinois House is signaling that insurance regulation will be a priority for state...
Logan County native urges oversight of proposed $5B IL data center

Logan County native urges oversight of proposed $5B IL data center

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Logan County residents are opposing a proposed 250-acre data center in Illinois, raising concerns about farmland...
Feds freeze $10B in aid to Colorado, four other states

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

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

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

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

‘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

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

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

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

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

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

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...