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.
⚠️ Air Quality Alert issued July 19 at 12:50PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
⚠️ Air Quality Alert issued July 19 at 1:06AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
⚠️ Air Quality Alert issued July 18 at 12:31PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jul 18
81° 63°
Smoke
Latest News Stories
Pritzker disputes Trump speech claims
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump tried to claim victimhood during his speech to the nation...
Arizona congressional candidates debate healthcare, ICE
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters will head to the polls Tuesday in Arizona’s 4th and 5th congressional district races with healthcare affordability and immigration enforcement on their minds. District...
Mullin reveals 250k non-citizens registered to vote in just four states
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Following allegations of foreign adversaries meddling in U.S. elections during a primetime address Thursday by President Donald Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin laid out...
Walz again questions deportation of convicted sex offender
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is once again defending a criminal illegal immigrant who was deported by the Trump administration. In a press conference earlier this...
Trump calls out Michigan elections in primetime address
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square President Donald Trump made the accusation of election fraud in Michigan during a primetime address Thursday night. Trump referenced potential election crimes during the 2020...
OBGYN group leader says she posed as teen, ordered abortion drug via mail
By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square An organization of pro-life OBGYNs is calling on Congress to end the mail-order abortion system after the group’s CEO said she posed as a 13-year-old...
Secretary of State dismisses calls for clarity on migrant’s license status
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Secretary of State is pushing back against claims from conservatives that his department has issued...
Illinois news in brief: Prosecutors indict felon on pretrial release for fentanyl trafficking; Rockford men charged after child abuse investigation; Cairo bridge to reopen
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Prosecutors indict felon on pretrial release for fentanyl trafficking A federal grand jury has indicted a Chicago man for allegedly trafficking...
Trump highlights election integrity threats, accuses China of meddling
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square In a primetime address Thursday, President Donald Trump highlighted the need for election integrity while accusing China of meddling in U.S. elections, citing over a...
Judge calls for SCOTUS ‘benchslaps’ on Second Amendment cases
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square (Legal Newsline) - A conservative federal appeals court judge has teed off once again on his left-wing judicial colleagues on the U.S....
WATCH: Washington candidates clash over Trump endorsement for House
By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square As Central Washington voters begin filling out primary ballots as soon as this weekend, some may be a bit confused about who President Donald Trump...
Congressional candidates debate housing, immigration
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Arizona will head to the polls Tuesday to make decisions in consequential congressional primaries that could determine the balance of power in Congress...
Med school dean questioned over antisemitism, DEI
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Squarre) – The interim dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine testified before Congress that the school...
