Illinois in Focus

The Center Square
  • 4.4 (43)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The podcast bringing you the most important stories out of Illinois from TheCenterSquare.com. Join us as we dive into the top headlines and provide insightful commentary and analysis.

  1. 16H AGO

    Illinois in Focus Daily | January 5th, 2026 - White business owners are biggest share of Illinois' diversity-preferred contract group

    Greg Bishop talks with Jared Strong with The Center Square's investigative unit about his ongoing investigation of the taxpayer cost for the state's diversity contracting goals.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    23 min

  2. 2D AGO

    Weekend Edition | Chicago mayor refuses to sign or veto budget at 'not a campaign event'

    (The Center Square) – A new Chicago budget is set to take effect, even though the city’s mayor refused to sign it. Flanked by Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates and several aldermanic allies, Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday he would not sign or veto the budget passed by the city council last Saturday, but he would let it take effect to avoid risk or speculation of a government shutdown. The $16.7 billion spending plan includes higher taxes on cloud computing, liquor and plastic bags, along with rideshare surcharges and a roughly $1 billion sweep of tax-increment financing funds to Chicago Public Schools. Read more: Chicago mayor refuses to sign or veto budget at 'not a campaign event' Chicago council, 'starting to legislate,' sends $16.7 billion budget to mayor IL rep: As if Bears 'had a plan to rob the bank' before considering Indiana Gas prices drop, but taxes make Illinois pricier than Midwest neighbors DOJ lawsuit against Illinois draws support from election integrity advocates   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    24 min

  3. 12/27/2025

    Weekend Edition | Illinois in 2025: Pritzker’s Nazi Remarks, Feds in Chicago & More

    This special edition of Illinois in Focus looks back at the biggest stories of 2025. From Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s controversial budget address to Illinois DOGE’s findings on billions flowing to NGOs, federal enforcement actions in Chicago, and new gun laws set to take effect in 2026. We revisit the moments that shaped Illinois politics this year. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    24 min

  4. 12/20/2025

    Weekend Edition | Pritzker signs $1.5 billion transit bill raising taxes and tolls

    (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed $1.5 billion public transit-funding legislation, but Illinois consumers are expected to pay the price with higher taxes and tolls. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2111 Tuesday at Union Station in Chicago. The measure establishes the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) to replace the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and oversee the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace. The governor promised that Illinois is on the verge of a world-class transportation network. “This new law not only averts the cliff but preserves affordability and makes transit safer and more reliable,” Pritzker said. The bill passed after more than two years of discussion centered around an estimated $770 million transit “fiscal cliff” looming in 2026, but the number was revised last summer to around $250 million. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    24 min

  5. 12/17/2025

    Illinois in Focus Daily | December 17th, 2025 - Higher tolls and taxes expected with $1.5 billion Illinois mass transit bill now law

    Greg Bishop discusses the enactment of a bill Gov. J.B. Pritzker says ushers in a world class mass transit system. Opponents say the measure allows for increased taxes and tolls, while also diverting road fund money away from downstate.  Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_6e028b31-4a06-402e-9da3-0ceac33bdf41.html Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    43 min

  6. 12/16/2025

    Illinois in Focus Daily | December 16th, 2025 - Complaints against Illinois state employees increases

    Greg Bishop reviews a recent Office of Executive Inspector General annual report showing a record-breaking number of complaints against Illinois state employees and Gov. J.B. Pritzker's reaction to the growing trend of cases of wrongdoing. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    33 min

  7. 12/15/2025

    Illinois in Focus Daily | December 15th, 2025 - Pritzker enacts assisted suicide law, other bills

    Greg Bishop reviews the proponents and opponents take on a measure Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted Friday allowing for end-of-life options for terminally ill patients, or physician-assisted suicide. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    29 min

  8. 12/13/2025

    Weekend Edition | Pritzker signs 'great law' against immigration enforcement, dismisses ethics concerns

    (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says a new law to protect people from federal immigration law enforcement in Illinois is a great one, despite ethical questions about campaign donations to the bill sponsors and private right of action. Pritzker signed House Bill 1312 Tuesday at La Villita Community Church in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. The governor said the measure would provide a measure of legal protections and send a message to President Donald Trump and members of his administration. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    24 min
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4.4
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

The podcast bringing you the most important stories out of Illinois from TheCenterSquare.com. Join us as we dive into the top headlines and provide insightful commentary and analysis.

Information

  • Creator
    The Center Square
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    599
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Center Square
  • Show Website
    Illinois in Focus

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