WATCH: IL lawmakers pass consequential bills early Halloween
October 31, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop powers through on little sleep with a roundup of legislative activity at the Illinois State Capitol that stretched into the early morning hours Friday. Measures approved include an energy policy bill, a tax increase to fund mass transit and enhancements to the state’s migrant sanctuary policies.
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.
Sat Jun 13
73° 51°
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Govt. shutdown leads to over 800 flights cancelled, number growing
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the government shutdown drags into its 38th day and forced flight reductions begin taking effect, the number of daily flight cancellations Americans are experiencing...
Illinois approves $1.5B transit package, funding for long-delayed projects
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers approved a $1.5 billion transit package, including long-delayed Moline-to-Chicago rail, hailed by Democrats as...
JJC Receives Surprise $1.9 Million from IRS Employee Retention Credit
Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 15, 2025 Article SummaryJoliet Junior College has received an unexpected $1.9 million windfall from the federal Employee Retention Credit (ERC), a...
Supreme Court allows Trump to withhold partial SNAP payment
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Supreme Court said Friday that the Trump administration could withhold a partial payment for the federal food benefits program amid the longest-ever government shutdown....
Illinois quick hits: State EPA looks to fund EV charging stations; Tax Foundation says mayor’s proposal would hinder employment;
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square State EPA looks to fund EV charging stations The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging...
Federal Lobbyists Brief Will County on Government Shutdown, Warn of SNAP and TSA Disruptions
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Legislative Committee for November 4, 2025 Article Summary: Will County’s federal lobbyists reported that the ongoing government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, is...
Frankfort Board Approves Final Plats for Crystal Brook and Copper Creek Subdivisions
Frankfort Village Board Meeting | November 3, 2025 Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board approved final plats for two major residential developments on Monday, November 3, 2025, advancing plans for...
Commission Approves Mokena-Area Garage Variance Over Village’s Objection
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | November 4, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a variance for a new garage in unincorporated Frankfort Township...
Will County Committee Advances Gougar Road Bridge Project with Over $540,000 in Agreements
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved two key agreements for the Gougar Road bridge project in New Lenox,...
JJC Receives Surprise $1.9 Million from IRS Employee Retention Credit
Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 15, 2025 Article SummaryJoliet Junior College has received an unexpected $1.9 million windfall from the federal Employee Retention Credit (ERC), a...
JJC Advances ERP Modernization with New Vendor and Two-Year Budget
Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 15, 2025 Article SummaryJoliet Junior College is entering the next phase of its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system overhaul, with the...
Park District Reviews Emergency Response After Frankfort Square Shelter-in-Place
Frankfort Square Park District Meeting | September 2025 Article Summary: Following a law enforcement incident that prompted a shelter-in-place order in Frankfort Square, the park district reviewed its emergency protocols...
Will County Committee Shapes 2026 Legislative Agendas on Housing, Energy, and Health
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Legislative Committee for November 4, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Legislative Committee advanced key priorities for its 2026 state and federal legislative agendas, focusing...
