WATCH: Trump ‘not gonna pay’ child care fraud; Immigration enforcement costs; Moving out
January 6, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the latest in the ongoing scrutiny of taxpayer spending on child care subsidies with President Donald Trump saying he’s not going to pay states like Illinois for child care fraud.
Bishop also shares reaction from Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, to a recently published Chicago Tribune report about the estimated taxpayer cost of immigration enforcement in Illinois coming to around $59 million and counting. Halbrook says the taxpayer cost of illegal immigration is much higher than that.
Finally, Bishop shares some reaction from Illinois state Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills, to the ongoing trend of Illinois seeing more people move out of the state that are moving in.
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.
Today Jun 13
70° 50°
Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Latest News Stories
Trump administration considers selling some student debts to private sector
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Trump administration confirmed Monday that it is considering selling portions of the nearly $1.7 trillion federal student loan portfolio to private sector companies. While...
Trump’s newest tariffs could cost U.S. families $600 or more
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Consumers and U.S. businesses will continue to pay the bulk of President Donald Trump's tariffs under an untested federal law likely to spark new legal...
Planning Commission Backs 5-MW Peotone Solar Farm; Developer Pledges Pollinator Habitat and Community Funds
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | February 17, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval for a new 5-megawatt commercial solar farm...
U.S. Supreme Court appears skeptical of Cuban land claims
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court appeared skeptical of Cuban claims to land during two oral arguments on Monday where U.S. companies were seeking to...
CDL tests will become English only
By Alan WootenThe Center Square All commercial driver’s license tests will be administered in English, the U.S. Department of Transportation said Friday. In a press conference, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy...
Trump proclaims National Angel Day
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Several angel families gathered at the White House Monday as President Donald Trump proclaimed Feb. 22 National Angel Day – honoring Americans “victimized by dangerous...
New interactive Holocaust survivor exhibit unveiled in Arizona
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Holocaust survivor Esther Basch is telling her story in a new interactive exhibit displayed by the Arizona Jewish Historical Society and the Hilton Family Holocaust...
Local government advocates oppose Pritzker plan to cut distributions
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Advocates for Illinois communities are expressing opposition to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s planned reduction of the state’s revenue...
Los Angeles reports drop in homicides; GOP disputes findings
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Elected leaders of Los Angeles have announced a decrease in homicides, but not everyone is buying it. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said that in...
Medicaid spending doubled in Colorado despite enrollment
By Derek DraplinThe Center Square Colorado has seen Medicaid spending doubled over the last decade, according to a new report. Meanwhile, the state’s unit tasked with investigating and prosecuting Medicaid...
European Union puts U.S. trade deal on hold after Supreme Court ruling
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The European Union on Monday halted plans to finalize a trade deal with the U.S. after the U.S. Supreme Court said the bulk of President...
Ohio state, local leaders have no knowledge of ‘world’s largest’ natural gas plant
By David BeasleyThe Center Square A massive natural gas electric power plant planned for southern Ohio announced by the Trump administration this month caught state and local leaders by surprise....
WATCH: Illinois diversity leaders dodge questions as they slip farther from goals
By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- Illinois' highly paid diversity commissioners dodged in-person questions from The Center Square last week about their decisions...
Illinois Quick Hits: Road fund could help renovate Soldier Field
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Park District officials are reportedly planning to use Illinois gas tax revenue to help transform Soldier...
Crete-Monee Board Approves Retirement Incentive Agreement, Sets 2026-27 School Calendar
Crete-Monee School Board Meeting | February 17, 2026 Article Summary: The Crete-Monee School District 201-U Board of Education approved a retirement incentive agreement with the teachers' union and finalized the...