WATCH: Candidate investigates Medicaid spending; Diversity program audit urged
January 26, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square’s Greg Bishop shares a conversation with Statehouse candidate Bailey Templeton about her latest findings through public records requests showing a 725% increase in the amount of Medicaid spending on children without Social Security Numbers.
Bishop also talks with The Center Square investigative reporter Jared Strong about his research into Illinois’ diversity agency which is now prompting calls from legislators for further scrutiny.
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
Lawyers who specialize in suing Chicago cops seek special prosecutor to go after ICE
By Jonathan Bilyk.| Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Chicago law firm, with a business model built on raking in big, taxpayer-funded fees in cases representing people suing Chicago cops and...
Will Land Use Committee Evaluates Multi-Million Dollar Buyout for Flooded Harris Drive Homes
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee is exploring a multi-million-dollar buyout program for several homes...
Behavioral Health Division Drops Wait Times, Reports Zero Opioid Deaths in February
Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: Will County’s Behavioral Health Division reported significant operational improvements, including a near-elimination of wait times for therapy and...
Harris Drive Residents Plead for County Intervention Amid Failing Septic Systems and Flooding
Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: Residents of Harris Drive appealed to the Public Health and Safety Committee for help with severe seasonal flooding...
Will County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal Hit-and-Run in Homer Glen
Article Summary: The Will County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public's assistance in identifying a driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash in Homer Glen that left a pedestrian dead....
Federal Funding Freezes Threaten Will County Public Health Programs Amid Ongoing Lawsuits
Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: Will County health officials are bracing for potential service disruptions as they monitor multiple federal lawsuits surrounding frozen...
Legal experts anticipate SCOTUS will overturn drug user gun ban
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Legal experts anticipate the U.S. Supreme Court will strike down a law barring unlawful drug users from possessing firearms. On Monday, justices of the U.S....
Parents’ rights advocates hail SCOTUS ruling against secret gender transitions
By Tate MillerThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Mirabelli v. Olson deciding against California’s law that allowed for gender transitions of school children without parental knowledge has...
Critics warn Illinois bill could lead to government overreach in newborn care
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Family Institute is raising concerns over a proposed bill that would offer voluntary home...
Veteran suicide rate remains high despite spending millions
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Veterans die by suicide at roughly twice the civilian rate, despite the Department of Veterans Affairs spending more than $500 million a year to address...
BlackRock summit to focus on workforce needed for U.S. infrastructure boom
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A coalition of government officials, corporate executives, and labor leaders is gathering in Washington next week to address what many see as the biggest obstacle...
Debate grows as states consider teacher strike bans
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Many states are considering new policies affecting teachers’ ability to strike or participate in protests, and education officials and labor advocates continue to debate the...
American gasoline prices increase most in one week since 2020
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square American gasoline prices continued to rise on Friday and are up the most of any week since 2022. Iran widened attacks on energy-producing countries near...