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 14
74° 56°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Illinois quick hits: Federal funding for CTA still uncertain; fire risk for EVs
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Federal funding for CTA still uncertain The Federal Transit Administration says it will withhold as much as $50 million in funding...
Feds sue IL for refusing to turn over full info on IL voters
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The Justice Department has asked a federal judge to force Illinois state election officials to turn over full copies of the state's...
WATCH: Detransitioner to providers: “Please just stop” gender surgeries on minors
By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A detransitioner is sharing her story with The Center Square and speaking out in strong support of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy...
Bears threaten move to Indiana after property tax break bill frustrations
By Jon Styf | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Bears leadership is claiming that it is considering a move to Northwest Indiana after the team...
Phoenix serial killer gets death penalty for six 2017 murders
By Dave MasonThe Center Square A Phoenix jury Thursday sentenced serial killer Cleophus Cooksey Jr. to death for committing six murders over a three-week period in 2017. Cooksey, 43, was...
Assembly leaders call for Dugan’s resignation, threaten impeachment
By Jon StyfThe Center Square Wisconsin’s Republican Assembly leaders say they will begin impeachment proceedings if Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan does not resign from her post immediately following a...
DOJ fails to fully comply with Friday deadline for Epstein files release
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice will not release the entirety of the federal government’s files on sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein by the end of day...
Illinois legislator, physician discusses vitamin K refusals amid new study
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new study shows more parents are refusing vitamin K shots for newborns, sparking debate in...
WATCH: Commission makes ICE accountability referral; Rep says Pritzker wrong on prices
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 provides moments and...
Illinois quick hits: DOJ sues over voters lists; CTA security surge
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DOJ sues over voters lists The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has filed federal lawsuits against four...
Trump administration pauses visa program after Brown U shooting suspect found dead
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration paused the immigration lottery visa program that approved more than 129,000 immigrants to obtain visas in fiscal year 2026. In a social...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Committee of the Whole for Dec. 2025
Will County Committee of the Whole Meeting | December 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Committee of the Whole met on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, for a series of...
BREAKING: Milwaukee judge guilty of felony obstruction during ICE arrest
By Jon StyfThe Center Square Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan was found guilty of a felony charge of obstruction by a jury Thursday in a case involving the judge’s actions related...
