WATCH: Pritzker IDs half billion in ‘reserves;’ SCOTUS considering gun ban challenge
January 23, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square’s Greg Bishop discusses a recent announcement from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office of nearly $500 million in “reserves.” The announcement comes after Republicans criticized the governor’s handling of taxpayer money.
Bishop also discusses the status of several Second Amendment challenges in the federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court still considering whether to take a challenge from Illinois calling the state’s gun and magazine ban unconstitutional.
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.
Latest News Stories
DOT realizes road safety a concern with marijuana rescheduling
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the impending rescheduling of marijuana in the U.S., the transportation industry is searching for answers on whether it still will legally be able to...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board for December 18, 2025
Will County Board Meeting | December 18, 2025 The Will County Board held its regular meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, focusing heavily on land use, transportation infrastructure, and public...
2025 illegal entries in Texas: Nearly half the gotaways reported in previous years
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In President Donald Trump’s first year in office, illegal border crossers in one year in Texas totaled nearly half of gotaways reported in previous years...
Nashville speaker maker plans to move overseas to avoid tariffs
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The owner of a storied Nashville speaker company says he'll pay lower taxes by moving overseas, rather than trying to build in the U.S. It's...
Supreme Court could redefine 14th Amendment application
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will decide a case in 2026 challenging President Donald Trump’s authority to end birthright citizenship. Trump v. Barbara challenges Trump’s executive...
Missouri year in review: capital gains eliminated, Medicaid increased
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square In 2025, Missouri lawmakers passed legislation to eliminate its capital gains tax, phase out the state income tax and expand Medicaid legislation. The Club for...
2025 in review: Historic border security actions taken by Trump
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square On the first day of his second term in office, President Donald Trump issued multiple executive orders, followed by multiple policy changes, that in one...
Free speech under fire nearly 300 times in 2025 on campus
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Two hundred seventy-four incidents involving interference to free speech have taken place so far on college campuses in 2025, according to FIRE data, an increase...
IL rep: As if Bears ‘had a plan to rob the bank’ before considering Indiana
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois state rep whose district includes Soldier Field says the Chicago Bears are bluffing by suggesting...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Crete-Monee Board of Education for December 16, 2025
Crete-Monee Board of Education Meeting | December 16, 2025 The Crete-Monee School District 201-U Board of Education on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, successfully navigated a heavy agenda focused on long-term...
Undersheriff Brian Conser Retires After 29 Years of Service
Will County Board Meeting | December 18, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board and Sheriff’s Office honored Undersheriff Brian Conser, who is retiring after nearly three decades of service....
FBI to scrap $5 billion move, Patel says
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square FBI boss Kash Patel announced on Friday the agency scrapped a $5 billion plan to build a new headquarters. The FBI will permanently shut down...
AGs say ‘As You Sow’ may violate antitrust laws with anti-fossil fuel alliance
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A coalition of 18 attorneys general called on the nonprofit group As You Sow to end activities that may violate antitrust and consumer protection laws....