Illinois in Focus

By The Center Square

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.... more

· News

4.4

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FAQs about Illinois in Focus:

How many episodes does Illinois in Focus have?

The podcast currently has 718 episodes available.

Illinois in Focus episodes:

March 21, 2026 Weekend Edition | Illinois voters to see Pritzker, Bailey rematch in November
(The Center Square) – Illinois voters will have a rematch in the race for governor after Darren Bailey beat out three other candidates in Tuesday evening’s Republican primary election. Just as votes were being counted and before the race was called for Bailey, during a campaign event in Chicago, incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker predicted that Republicans would select the same candidate as they did four years ago. “Illinois Republicans are offering voters a destructive alliance of cowardly, doomed grifters who recklessly embrace ruin,” Pritzker said. “Yes, folks, this is the fight of our future.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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24min
March 14, 2026 Weekend Edition | Pritzker: 'God was looking out for people' in storm-damaged Kankakee County
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says God was looking out for people in Kankakee County this week. The governor visited the area Thursday after severe storms, including an EF-3 level tornado, caused extensive damage on Tuesday. “But one thing, and God was looking out for people here, is that there were really very few injuries. They were relatively minor. There were no deaths,” Pritzker said. Pritzker said almost 500 structures were affected and at least 30 homes were totally destroyed. “Many of the people who have been displaced have family that live in the area, and they’ve gone to stay with their family while their homes are being repaired or maybe for longer,” Pritzker said. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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24min
March 07, 2026 Weekend Edition | Chicago police monitor Iran-U.S. conflict; public advised to be aware
(The Center Square) – Chicago Police say they are monitoring the U.S. conflict in Iran. Residents and visitors observed a significant increase in police presence at O’Hare International Airport and on area passenger trains this week. In a statement to The Center Square, the Chicago Police Department said it is monitoring the situation in Iran. “While there is no actionable intelligence related to Chicago at this time, we are paying special attention to places of worship and will adjust resources if necessary as we continue to follow the rapidly unfolding events,” the CPD statement said.

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24min
March 05, 2026 Illinois in Focus Daily | March 5th, 2026 - State budget hearings begin as locals look to increase gas tax
Greg Bishop, Illinois editor for The Center Square, hosts Illinois In Focus Daily, a review of some of the top Illinois headlines with timely and relevant news and interviews.
Read more at TheCenterSquare.com/illinois

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19min
March 03, 2026 Illinois in Focus Daily | March 3rd, 2026 - DEI commissioner didn’t properly disclose $23K side job
For Illinois in Focus Daily with The Center Square, host Greg Bishop talks with The Center Square investigative reporter Jared Strong about his continued investigation into Illinois diversity contracting commission, including a commissioner not disclosing the entirety of their other employment outside of being a commissioner.
Read the story here: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_63956a13-5235-4a23-92e7-06203fbad8d9.html

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23min
February 28, 2026 Weekend Edition | Amended Bears megaproject bill could have major impact on property tax payers
(The Center Square) - An Illinois megaproject bill about a new Chicago Bears stadium project passed through a House committee Thursday, but it did so with a warning from several legislators and an advocacy group that the bill could lead to a meteoric rise in property tax bills in multiple communities in the state. The bill will next go to the House for a vote with sponsor Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, saying he didn’t know how quickly it would be taken up for a vote. The bill would allow the Bears’ proposed $5 billion stadium project and any $500 million project in the state to pay a negotiated lower rate instead of the same property tax that other companies and residents pay and it would allow the construction of the facility to be done sales tax free for 10 years.

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24min
February 21, 2026 Weekend Edition | Pritzker proposes $54.8 billion budget, down from $55.2 billion in 2026
(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has proposed a budget for fiscal year 2027 that is smaller than the state’s 2026 spending plan.
The governor delivered his State of the State budget address before the General Assembly at the Illinois Capitol on Wednesday.
Pritzker opened by saying he would introduce another balanced budget proposal. The spending plan with $54.8 billion in general funds appropriations is down from the state’s $55.2 billion for the current year.
The governor then launched into criticism of President Donald Trump and said Illinois is fighting more than 50 cases in court where Pritzker said the federal government is “illegally confiscating money” that was promised and appropriated by Congress to the people of Illinois.

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24min
February 20, 2026 Illinois in Focus Daily | February 20th, 2026 - Pritzker 'very disappointed' in latest around Chicago Bears relocation
For Illinois in Focus Daily, host Greg Bishop reviews the latest actions from Indiana to lure the Chicago Bears out of Illinois, and shares reaction from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

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21min
February 18, 2026 Illinois in Focus Daily | February 18th, 2026 - Republicans urge Pritzker to focus on taxpayers in Wednesday’s budget address
For Illinois in Focus Daily, host Greg Bishop reviews moments from Gov. J.B. Pritzker's 2025 budget address and what Republicans are looking for from the Democratic incumbent in the 2026 address.
Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

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20min
February 14, 2026 Weekend Edition | Retail advocate: Swipe fees ruling is largest Main St. 'relief package' in Illinois
(The Center Square) – A retail business advocate says a federal judge’s ruling to uphold the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act paves the way for Main Street Illinois to experience major relief, but a banking advocate says the law could slow commerce and foul up transactions. U.S. District Court Judge Virginia Kendall ruled on Tuesday that the law to ban processing fees on the tax and tip portion of credit and debit card transactions could be implemented as scheduled July 1. Illinois Retail Merchants Association President and CEO Rob Karr said removing the pressure of swipe fees on prices will be a big deal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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24min

FAQs about Illinois in Focus:

How many episodes does Illinois in Focus have?

The podcast currently has 718 episodes available.

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