WATCH: Expect tax and fee increases for veto; Democrats want more sanctuary policies
October 29, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews the prospects of increased taxes and fees expected to come from Illinois legislators in the final days of fall veto session. Democrats are looking to increase taxes to pay for mass transit and an energy bill to support battery storage. Republicans say both policies are bad for Illinois families and businesses.
Bishop also airs some of the latest debate between Republicans and Democrats over public safety and immigration reform. Democrats are looking to expand the state’s migrant sanctuary policies as Republicans blame such laws for a recent fatal crash involving a county board member, his wife and two illegal immigrants.
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
Village Board Approves Millions in Spending on Roads, Parks, and Museum
NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Village Board authorized millions of dollars in spending on Monday for its annual road program and for continued investment in its newest community amenities,...
Meeting Summary: New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education for June 17, 2025
The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education handled significant financial business at its June 17 meeting, approving a tentative budget for the 2025-2026 school year and renewing insurance...
Meeting Summary: New Lenox Board of Trustees for July 28, 2025
The New Lenox Village Board meeting on Monday was marked by ceremony and significant action on major developments. The board honored the new Pope Leo XIV and retiring Police Chief...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Monee Village Board for July 23, 2025
The Monee Village Board of Trustees heard a detailed presentation for a major industrial redevelopment, approved a significant payment for its nearly-completed public works facility, and gave final clearance for...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees for June 17, 2025
The Frankfort Fire Protection District is taking steps to address its equipment needs by pursuing the purchase of two used fire engines for a total of $635,000, a move designed...
Frankfort Square Resident Asks Township to Allow Golf Carts on Streets
Article Summary: A Mokena resident has formally requested that the Frankfort Township Board create an ordinance to permit the use of golf carts on streets within the Frankfort Square subdivision. In...
Frankfort Township Board Adopts Annual Budgets for Township, Highway Departments
Article Summary: The Frankfort Township Board of Trustees formally approved its annual appropriation ordinances for the township and its highway department, setting the spending plan for all programs and obligations for...
New Lenox Fire Board Denies Variance Over Extreme Hydrant Distance, Citing Safety
NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Fire Protection District Board of Trustees unanimously denied a homeowner's variance request on Monday, citing significant public safety concerns over the property's extreme distance...
New Lenox Fire District Secures $35,000 Grant for UTV in Solar Farm Agreement
NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Fire Protection District is set to receive a $35,000 grant to purchase a new Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) as part of a community benefit...
Meeting Summary: New Lenox Fire Protection District for June 16, 2025
The New Lenox Fire Protection District Board of Trustees took decisive action on a residential fire code variance and discussed a new community partnership for a planned solar farm during...
Will County Committee Forwards Overhauled Purchasing Code Amid Debate on Local Contractor Preference
The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee advanced a major overhaul of the county's purchasing code Tuesday, but only after a split vote and a pointed debate over a separate,...
Finance Officials Clarify How Will County Tracks Assets, From Vehicles to Desks
Will County finance officials on Tuesday detailed the policies governing how the county tracks its physical and digital assets, explaining the $5,000 threshold for items that are formally capitalized and...
Will County Treasurer Confirms Free Online Tax Payment Option, Warns Against High Credit Card Fees
Will County Treasurer Tim Brophy confirmed Tuesday that property owners have a free online payment option available and advised residents to avoid the high convenience fees associated with using credit...
Committee Highlights ‘Lack of Teeth’ in County Code Enforcement Process
While the Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee quickly approved minor updates to its administrative adjudication ordinance Tuesday, the action sparked a broader discussion about resident frustration over the enforcement...
Committee Highlights ‘Lack of Teeth’ in County Code Enforcement Process
While the Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee quickly approved minor updates to its administrative adjudication ordinance Tuesday, the action sparked a broader discussion about resident frustration over the enforcement...