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Artwork for Illinois in Focus

Illinois in Focus

The Center Square
Illinois
Chicago
Governor JB Pritzker
Donald Trump
JB Pritzker
Public Safety
Immigration Enforcement
Trump Administration
Second Amendment
National Guard
Illinois Gun Ban
Gun Control
Brandon Johnson
Michael Madigan
ICE
Texas
Migrant Sanctuary Policies
Republican Party
Charlie Kirk
Department Of Homeland Security

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes600Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for Illinois in Focus

Latest Episodes

(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Illinois’ new budget for fiscal year 2027 protects working families from new taxes, but Republican state Rep. Blaine Wilhour says the governor can’t stop asking for more. The governor touted investments i... more

(The Center Square) – Illinois may soon have a prescription affordability board to impose price caps on drugs, but questions are being raised over the proposed board’s potential effectiveness and lack of budget appropriations. Senate Bill 3496 was fi... more

Illinois is projected to see less tax income than state agencies previously expected due to a variety of economic factors. With revised estimates, some lawmakers worry there may be a shortfall, which could prevent a balanced budget from being passed ... more

(The Center Square) – New tax proposals being considered in Springfield could bring nearly $7 billion in revenue to the state, according to advocates. Critics say the proposals – which would change corporate tax rules, among other impactful tax chang... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Sam Adam Jr.
Chicago attorney, former attorney for Rod Blagojevich in the first corruption trial
Independent attorney in Chicago
Episode: Weekend Edition | Ex-Blago attorney: Quid pro quo is key to Madigan appeal
Jim Talabani
Center Square Illinois reporter
The Center Square
Episode: Weekend Edition | Fewer businesses of Illinois' diversity-preferred group got state contracts last year
Jim Talamanti
The Center Square reporter contributing to the Weekend Edition
The Center Square
Episode: Weekend Edition | Chicago police monitor Iran-U.S. conflict; public advised to be aware
Brad Cole
Illinois Municipal League President
Illinois Municipal League
Episode: Illinois in Focus Daily | March 5th, 2026 - State budget hearings begin as locals look to increase gas tax
Alexi Janoulius
Secretary of State of Illinois
Illinois Secretary of State
Episode: Illinois in Focus Daily | March 5th, 2026 - State budget hearings begin as locals look to increase gas tax
Rick Heidner
Republican candidate for Governor of Illinois
Episode: Illinois in Focus Daily | February 11th, 2026 - Pritzker's office sued over 'peacekeeper' pic and other Illinois headlines
Bailey Templeton
Statehouse candidate focusing on Medicaid spending issues
Republican primary candidate for Illinois House District 94
Episode: Illinois in Focus Daily | January 26th, 2026 - Illinois Statehouse candidate investigates Medicaid spending
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
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

Host

Greg Bishop
Host of Illinois in Focus Weekend Edition; long-running Center Square journalist known for coordinating discussion and presenting updates.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 63 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 States5 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 States5 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.

Some listeners wish for more frequent updates and deeper dives into certain policy areas.
The show is valued for transparency around policy tradeoffs and the impact on taxpayers and local governments.
Guests and hosts are seen as credible, offering grounded analysis rather than partisan rhetoric.
Listeners appreciate concise updates on Illinois politics and policy with rational, balanced viewpoints.
Many praise the practical, no-nonsense discussion of budget and affordability issues.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Weekend Edition | Fewer businesses of Illinois' diversity-preferred group got state contracts last year
Q: Jim, what's going on with the commission?
Jim Talabani explains that the annual report shows a 9% decrease in contracts to minority-, women-, and disability-owned businesses, despite the commission's purpose to increase such contracts; lawmakers are demanding answers about budget and effectiveness.
Weekend Edition | Trump: Loyola student would be alive if Pritzker, Johnson asked for help
Q: Jim, what are the main legal and policy questions driving the sanctuary policy debate in Illinois right now?
The discussion centers on whether local sanctuary policies hinder cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, how proposed state measures could restrict detention operations or local cooperation, and how these policies intersect with budget priorities and public safety needs.
Weekend Edition | Chicago police monitor Iran-U.S. conflict; public advised to be aware
Q: What economic impacts are being observed in Illinois due to the Iran conflict?
Gas prices have risen as the conflict affects global oil markets, with Illinois seeing noticeable increases in regular gasoline prices and concerns about further rises if the conflict lasts.
Weekend Edition | Chicago police monitor Iran-U.S. conflict; public advised to be aware
Q: What is the current security posture in Chicago amid the Iran-U.S. conflict?
Police are maintaining heightened alert and monitoring key locations, with no actionable threat reported at the moment but continued vigilance in places like airports and transit hubs.
Illinois in Focus Daily | March 3rd, 2026 - DEI commissioner didn’t properly disclose $23K side job
Q: What do we know about the composition and budget of the Illinois Diversity Commission?
They have a $7 million budget, with a proposed decrease by the governor, and their spending has not delivered the expected results in increasing diversity contracting.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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?

Newsy, data-driven discussions around Illinois politics, budgeting, and policy are explored with a focus on how state decisions affect households, businesses, and local governments. Episodes frequently cover budget timing, tax policy, infrastructure megaprojects, energy costs, and legislative procedures, often featuring on-the-ground reporting and expert analysis. The format tends to pair two hosts with occasional Center Square reporters and policy-focused guests, creating a balanced, windowed view of state politics and public policy. A notable strength is transparent accounting of policy tradeoffs and budget pressures, along with practical implications for residents and local governments. This makes it useful for listeners who want clear, ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Illinois in Focus?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Illinois in Focus:

1. The Center Square Daily
2. Capitol Cast: Illinois
3. Chicago's Morning Answer with Dan Proft
4. WSJ Your Money Briefing
5. Under The Hood show

How many episodes of Illinois in Focus are there?

Illinois in Focus launched 8 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. Sam Adam Jr.
2. Jim Talabani
3. Jim Talamanti
4. Brad Cole
5. Alexi Janoulius
6. Rick Heidner
7. Bailey Templeton
8. Anthony DeLuca

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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