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Illinois in Focus

The Center Square
Donald Trump
Republican National Convention
Joe Biden
Illinois
JB Pritzker
Kamala Harris
Chicago
Democratic National Convention
Glock
Brandon Johnson
Republican Party
Public Safety
Tom Tiffany
Darren Bailey
Illinois Republicans
Secret Service
Reimagine Illinois Public Safety Act
Violence Prevention
Health Care Protection Act
Michael Madigan

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes600Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
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Artwork for Illinois in Focus

Latest Episodes

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.

Read the s... more

(The Center Square) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says his office has endured 365 days of chaos with President Donald Trump back in the White House. Raoul held a press conference in Chicago on Tuesday to mark the one-year anniversary of Tru... more

Greg Bishop 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.

Su... more

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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for inform... more

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Recent Guests

Jeanne Ives
Former state legislator and Republican gubernatorial candidate
Breakthrough Ideas
Episode: Illinois in Focus Daily | January 16th, 2026 - Ives investigates tax Illinois dollars for NGOs
Alexis Giannullius
Illinois Secretary of State
Illinois State Government
Episode: Illinois in Focus Daily | January 13th, 2026 - Migrant sanctuary Illinois sues Trump admin over immigration enforcement tactics
Anthony DeLuca
State Representative from Chicago Heights
Illinois State Government
Episode: Illinois in Focus Daily | January 13th, 2026 - Migrant sanctuary Illinois sues Trump admin over immigration enforcement tactics
Kwame Raoul
Illinois Attorney General
Illinois State Government
Episode: Illinois in Focus Daily | January 13th, 2026 - Migrant sanctuary Illinois sues Trump admin over immigration enforcement tactics
Brad Halbrook
Republican State Representative
Illinois State Government
Episode: Illinois in Focus Daily | January 13th, 2026 - Migrant sanctuary Illinois sues Trump admin over immigration enforcement tactics
Larry Snelling
Superintendent of Chicago Police
Chicago Police Department
Episode: Illinois in Focus Daily | January 12th, 2026 - With adverse audit opinions, Illinois sues Trump admin over frozen welfare funds
Sheila Weinberg
Founder and CEO of Truth In Accounting
Truth In Accounting
Episode: Illinois in Focus Daily | January 8th, 2026 - HHS suspects 'political patronage' with welfare spending, Illinois a suspected 'hotspot'
Jim O'Neill
Assistant Secretary for DHHS, US. Department of Health and Human Services
US Department of Health and Human Services
Episode: Illinois in Focus Daily | January 8th, 2026 - HHS suspects 'political patronage' with welfare spending, Illinois a suspected 'hotspot'
Lawrence Leggis
Election integrity advocate and plaintiff suing the federal government
Episode: Illinois in Focus Daily | January 7th, 2026 - IL gubernatorial candidate calls for audit as child care funding freeze announced

Host

Greg Bishop
Greg Bishop is a seasoned journalist who serves as the editor for Illinois at The Center Square, providing insightful analysis and commentary on the latest news and political developments in the state.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 62 ratings
  • Great show

    Excellent show, great reporting, wish you had more content, would be nice to get two reports per week with all the happenings in The nonstop drama of Illinois politics.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Will4208
    United States3 years ago
  • That was the week that was!

    I love listening to the updates on what is happening in Illinois. They help keep me up to date on the weeks political activities. A great overview for a citizen who is looking for a succinct report! Keep up the good work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shipwreck Bill
    United States4 years ago
  • Fantastic Podcast!

    They are doing a great job of really understanding the current state of Illinois. My wife and appreciate hearing it from the center and not from the right or the left. Just facts and nothing more.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kujo77
    United States4 years ago
  • Great source of rational debate

    I found this podcast on accident and have been enjoying its content immensely! Enjoy hearing rational viewpoints and debate on issues of the day. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pookeysmommy
    United States4 years ago
  • excellent

    This is just great IL content, great format with news up front followed by good discussion. Love this.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    E Allie
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback highlights a desire for more frequent episodes, indicating strong engagement and interest in ongoing updates.
Listeners praise the insightful reporting and appreciate the clear, factual discussions on complex political issues.
Many reviews commend the podcast for its ability to spark rational debates and keep the audience informed about local governance.
The podcast is recognized for its unbiased tone, providing a valuable resource for understanding Illinois politics.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Illinois in Focus Daily | January 16th, 2026 - Ives investigates tax Illinois dollars for NGOs
Q: Is there enough money in the budget to find savings or cut costs?
Absolutely, there's no reason to raise taxes; there are many nonprofits receiving grants that aren't effectively using taxpayers' money.
Illinois in Focus Daily | January 5th, 2026 - White business owners are biggest share of Illinois' diversity-preferred contract group
Q: Jared, what do you think is contributing to the decline in certified diversity-preferred businesses in Illinois?
The issue stems from a new computer system that doesn't communicate effectively with existing state agency systems, which has caused a significant drop in businesses being certified for diversity programs.
Weekend Edition | Pritzker signs $1.5 billion transit bill raising taxes and tolls
Q: What timeline is set for the newly signed end-of-life options legislation?
The legislation will take effect on September 12, 2026, allowing doctors to prescribe life-ending drugs.
Weekend Edition | Pritzker signs $1.5 billion transit bill raising taxes and tolls
Q: What did the governor say about accountability regarding the new transit board?
The governor insisted that the new transit board will provide accountability, but didn't address issues of employees being paid to not work.
Illinois in Focus Daily | November 21st, 2025 - Illinois gun ban cases and the U.S. Supreme Court
Q: What's your response to those who would say it's racist to require someone to know English proficiently in order to drive?
Neimerg calls it a deflection from the truth, emphasizing the need for safety and security.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois in Focus

What is Illinois in Focus about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on delivering current news and analyses from Illinois, this audio series presents critical stories impacting the state, including politics, legislation, and community issues. The conversations engage with key developments such as immigration policies, public safety, and local governance, highlighting the diverse perspectives surrounding these topics. Unique to this audio series is its combination of succinct reporting and in-depth discussions featuring local politicians, activists, and experts, creating a platform for informed discourse on the intricacies of Illinois politics.

Listeners can expect episodes rich with commentary on significant legislative changes, government actions, and the socio-economic factors at play in the regi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Illinois in Focus?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Illinois in Focus:

1. America's Talking
2. Capitol Cast: Illinois
3. The Andrew Klavan Show
4. Real Coffee with Scott Adams
5. Fireside Chat with Dennis Prager | PragerU

How many episodes of Illinois in Focus are there?

Illinois in Focus launched 7 years ago and published 600 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Illinois in Focus?

Recent guests on Illinois in Focus include:

1. Jeanne Ives
2. Alexis Giannullius
3. Anthony DeLuca
4. Kwame Raoul
5. Brad Halbrook
6. Larry Snelling
7. Sheila Weinberg
8. Jim O'Neill

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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