WATCH: Chicago committee rejects proposed tax hikes; Hemp industry wants regulation
November 18, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares comments from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson after a city council committee rejected a slew of proposed tax increases he says are needed to prevent layoffs in city government. Johnson vowed to veto a budget with a property tax increase, but dodged whether he’d veto a budget that didn’t include a head tax on employers.
Bishop also discusses the current status of regulations on the hemp industry after the federal government approved regulating intoxicating hemp products. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he’s looking to work with the industry on how Illinois can further regulate the industry.
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
Beecher-Area Rezoning and Variances Approved to Legalize Structure
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee approved a rezoning and two variances for a property...
Committee Approves Wilton Township Land Division Despite Spot Zoning Concerns
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee approved a request to rezone a 1.75-acre parcel in...
Illinois, Chicago residents rank high taxes as state’s top issue
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With the state now losing a resident to another state every nine minutes and more than...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois House members vote along party lines; More than 40% of CPS teachers missed 10 or more school days; State Treasurer says Bright Start earns gold
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois House members vote along party lines Illinois U.S. House members voted along party lines as the chamber approved legislation to...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee for November 4, 2025
Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | November 4, 2025 The Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, reviewed a successful bond refinancing...
Glock: Judge’s OK of Chicago’s anti-gun lawsuit questionable, at best
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Firearms maker Glock is asking for permission to appeal a Cook County judge's ruling allowing the city of Chicago to continue its...
Illinois quick hits: DHS responds to migrant release order
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DHS responds to migrant release order The U.S. Department of Homeland security issued a statement after a federal judge in Chicago...
Pritzker disagrees with Durbin on vote to end shutdown
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is disappointed that Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin voted in favor of...
Pritzker open to conversation with Trump on alderman’s immigration proposal
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A letter from a Chicago alderman to President Donald Trump could lead to conversation with Illinois Gov....
Expert: Illinois’ outdated tax law leaves homeowners, taxpayers on the hook
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois remains the only state that hasn’t reformed its property tax sale system after the U.S....
Illinois quick hits: Midway Blitz nabs nine drunk drivers; Madigan prosecutor to depart
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Midway Blitz nabs nine drunk drivers The Department of Homeland Security has released the names of nine foreign nationals arrested during...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort School District 157-C for September 2025
Frankfort School District 157-C Meeting | September 2025 The Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education unanimously approved its fiscal year 2026 budget on Tuesday, projecting a healthy surplus in...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Fire Protection District for September 2025
Frankfort Fire Protection District Meeting | September 2025 The Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees unanimously passed a significant update to its fire prevention codes on Tuesday, specifically addressing...
