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.
Today Jun 8
85° 71°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Illinois quick hits: Southwest to lay off 107 as O’Hare service ends
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Southwest to lay off 107 as O'Hare service ends According to an Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice, 107...
State House passes 133 bills, many potential impacts for Illinoisans
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois House of Representatives passed a total of 133 bills last week, sending them to the...
Forest Preserve District Advances Major Extensions and Repairs on Plum Creek Greenway Trail in Crete Township
Article Summary: The Forest Preserve District is currently undertaking dual construction projects on the Plum Creek Greenway Trail, initiating a massive 1.5-mile southern extension through Plum Valley Preserve and commencing...
Will County Survey Reveals Widespread AI Use as IT Drafts Governance Policy
Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: An internal survey revealed that nearly a dozen Will County departments are already utilizing Artificial Intelligence...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Crete-Monee School District 201-U for March 16, 2026
Crete-Monee School District 201-U Meeting | March 16, 2026 The Crete-Monee School District 201-U Board of Education met on Monday, March 16, 2026, to vote on major financial and personnel...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board for March 19, 2026
Will County Board Meeting | March 19, 2026 The Will County Board met on Thursday, March 19, 2026, to handle a diverse agenda that included heavy infrastructure spending, large-scale tax...
AARP Urges Will County to Ban Cryptocurrency Kiosks Amid Exploding Senior Fraud Rates
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: Representatives from AARP Illinois presented alarming new FBI data to the Will County Board Legislative Committee, revealing $11...
Monee Board Approves First Pay Increases for Mayor, Trustees, and Clerk Since 2004
Monee Village Board Meeting | April 8, 2026 Article Summary: The Monee Village Board unanimously approved a pair of ordinances establishing new salary rates for the mayor, village clerk, and...
Will County Approves $2.9 Million Engineering Contract for Bluff Road Reconstruction in Channahon
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The county is advancing a massive overhaul of Bluff Road in Channahon, approving a nearly $3...
Sunny Hill Nursing Home Implements Enhanced Infection Control and Safety Measures
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | April 2, 2026 Article Summary: Sunny Hill Nursing Home has rolled out "enhanced barrier precautions" to prevent the spread of multi-drug...
Consultant Updates Finance Committee on Homer Glen Police Cost Study
Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: A consultant hired to evaluate the financial implications of the Village of Homer Glen launching its own...
Six-Run Third Inning Powers Richards Past Crete-Monee in 13-7 Victory
The Richards varsity baseball team took full advantage of free passes and defensive miscues on Saturday afternoon, turning a tight game into a 13-7 non-conference victory over visiting Crete-Monee. Despite...
Fish fight: action-packed eagle pic wins March photo contest
Laurie Lasseter of Woodridge snapped a photo of an eagle and herring gull locked in battle recently, and the shot was picked as the March winner in the District's Preserve...
Illinois State Police Investigating Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Bradley
Article Summary: The Illinois State Police is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred after Bradley Police officers encountered an armed man during a mid-day well-being check. Bradley Officer-Involved Shooting...
