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.
Community Events
MondayDecember 1, 2025
TuesdayDecember 2, 2025
WednesdayDecember 3, 2025
ThursdayDecember 4, 2025
FridayDecember 5, 2025
SundayDecember 7, 2025
TuesdayDecember 9, 2025
WednesdayDecember 10, 2025
Latest News Stories
Chicago mayor: IL legislature has ‘more work to do’ on tax increases
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to see more tax increases from the Illinois General Assembly, but a...
Chicago pension, debt services costs among highest in country
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago’s budget has grown by nearly 40% since 2019 with the biggest increased expenditure going toward...
WATCH: DCFS still looking for missing children numbers; Pritzker on elections results
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop continues his coverage...
Illinois quick hits: DHS ordered to address ICE facility conditions; Garcia explains retirement decision
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DHS ordered to address ICE facility conditions A U.S. District Court judge in Chicago has issued a temporary restraining order directing...
Congressional Perks: Luxury cars and mileage result in big costs for taxpayers
By Arthur Kane | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Reps Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and David Scott, D-Ga., have each had taxpayers pay as much as...
State Assessment Shake-up: Frankfort 157-C to Form Committee for New Honors Criteria
Frankfort School District 157-C Meeting | September 2025 Article Summary: Frankfort School District 157-C is adapting to new, less restrictive student assessment benchmarks from the Illinois State Board of Education...
Frankfort Fire District Adopts Updated Fire Codes to Address Solar Power, New Technologies
Frankfort Fire Protection District Meeting | September 2025 Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District has unanimously adopted a new fire prevention ordinance to modernize safety standards and address emerging...
Illinois quick hits: $20 million for Alton housing project; alleged migrant assaults reported
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square $20 million for Alton housing project Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority announced the opening of a $20...
WATCH: Illinois DCFS can’t locate documents showing number of missing children
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Documents to show the number of missing youth in care from the Department of Children and Family...
Will County Committee Advances Phased Takeover of Central Will Dial-A-Ride Service
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved a five-year plan to consolidate the Central Will Dial-A-Ride service into its...
Frankfort Board Denies 24-Hour Drive-Thru Permits for McDonald’s
Frankfort Village Board Meeting | November 3, 2025 Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board on Monday, November 3, 2025, denied special use permits that would have allowed two local McDonald's...
Frankfort Library Board Approves 2025 Tax Levies
Frankfort Public Library District Meeting | September 2025 Article Summary: The Frankfort Public Library District Board of Trustees has unanimously approved its 2025 tax levy ordinance and a separate building...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Park District Committee for September 23, 2025
Frankfort Park District Special Committee Meeting | September 23, 2025 The Frankfort Park District Committee on Tuesday reviewed results from a community survey about a proposed indoor recreation center, which...
