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
WATCH: GOP leader calls Pritzker’s accountability commission a ‘political stunt’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has created a new government commission to document the conduct of federal law...
Battery storage financials remain in question as lawmakers consider energy omnibus
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State lawmakers are expected to include battery storage as part of an energy omnibus bill at the...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker praises credit upgrade; Cook County approves $20M quantum grant
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker praises credit upgrade Moody’s Investors Service has upgraded Illinois’ credit rating to A2 for the state’s general obligation bonds. Gov....
Op-Ed: Main Street businesses, customers would bear brunt of a tax on services
By Noah Finley | National Federation of Independent BusinessThe Center Square Even as lawmakers reconvene in Springfield for the fall veto session, special interest groups continue to press for higher...
WATCH: Illinois leaders on both sides send Bailey family condolences for loss of 4
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Leaders on both sides of the political aisle are sending condolences to former state Sen. Darren Bailey’s...
WATCH: Pritzker to sign exec. order to ‘pursue accountability’ amid federal deployments
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 starts the program...
Helicopter crash claims lives of Bailey’s son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren
By The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s campaign has released a statement following the death of Bailey’s son Zachary and his...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker creates commission to hear alleged ICE abuses
By The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker creates commission to hear alleged ICE abuses Through executive order, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker created the Illinois Accountability Commission to take testimony of...
Enrollment Report Sparks Board Discussion on Lowering Kindergarten Class Sizes
Summit Hill School District 161 | October 15, 2025 Article Summary: An enrollment update presented to the Summit Hill 161 board revealed that kindergarten class sizes are averaging between 20...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Township Board for September 8, 2025
Frankfort Township Board | September 8, 2025 During its meeting on Monday, September 8, 2025, the Frankfort Township Board unanimously denied a special use permit for a new bar proposed...
Manufacturing advocate: ‘Follow the actions’ with Pritzker on taxes
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he prefers growing the economy over raising taxes, but a small and midsize...
Illinois quick hits: National Guard restraining order extended; economic growth above trend
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square National Guard restraining order extended Following an agreement between the state of Illinois and the federal government, U.S. District Court Judge...
WATCH: Pritzker opposes redistricting Illinois mid-cycle as other states move forward
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The prospect of Illinois legislators changing the state’s congressional maps before the 2026 election seems unlikely with...
