WATCH: Debate around which tax to increase; pension enhancements, energy bills advance
October 30, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews the ongoing debate at the Illinois Statehouse about which taxes to increase during the final days of fall veto session. Among the proposals are an “amusement tax,” a retail delivery tax and decoupling Illinois tax code from the federal tax code.
Bishop also reviews several measures advancing through the legislature, including a pension reform measure that passed an Illinois House committee and an energy measure focused on renewables that passed the Illinois House. Both chambers are in session for the final day of veto session Thursday.
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.
⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 16 at 2:44AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 15
72° 55°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Tax hikes alone won’t fully address US debt, report finds
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square No tax proposal before Congress would be sufficient on its own to put the federal debt on a sustainable long-term path, according to a new...
House GOP says Dems ignoring ‘realistic’ property tax relief plans
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the clock continues to tick toward the end of the legislative session in Springfield, Republican lawmakers...
JJC Entrepreneur and Business Center Celebrates $800,000 Federal Grant, Client Successes
Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | April 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Joliet Junior College Entrepreneur and Business Center highlighted its recent community impact and rapid growth during a...
Chicago mayor to push for local funding, keeping Bears
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As he travels to Springfield to lobby for state funding of local governments, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson...
Doctors warn CMS proposal could weaken colorectal cancer screening standards
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Doctors have voiced concerns about a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that would expand Medicare coverage for some colorectal cancer...
Senate Republicans unveil $72 billion budget package to fund ICE, CBP
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republicans are forging ahead with legislation to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and U.S. Border Patrol along party lines. The two Senate committees...
Illinois AI regulations have mild industry support, could draw federal ire
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Experts in artificial intelligence spoke to state lawmakers recently, providing guidance on four bills introduced in the...
DOJ files complaint to block Minnesota climate lawsuit
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a complaint against Minnesota, seeking to block the state from continuing to pursue a lawsuit against energy companies...
Hegseth: Ceasefire holds despite Iranian aggression
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Despite Iranian forces opening fire on American warships in the Strait of Hormuz Monday, War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the ceasefire still holds and the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Mayors to visit capitol urge protection of local funding
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reverse his proposed budget cut to local...
Despite tax revolt, Lower Merion keeps administrator pay high
By Mark StricherzThe Center Square Despite a $27 million settlement with taxpayers in 2022, Lower Merion School District continues to pay top-tier salaries to administrators.Assistant high school principals in the...
Supreme Court allows Louisiana to immediately move on drawing new map
By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square Louisiana lawmakers can immediately begin drawing a new congressional map after the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday night put into effect its ruling striking down...
Glock can’t appeal judge’s greenlighting of Chicago’s ‘switches’ suit: Judge
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Cook County judge has again refused to allow firearms maker Glock to use appellate courts to challenge his rulings greenlighting a...
