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
Will County Eyes Major Overhaul to Consolidate Scattered Government Offices
Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: Will County officials are formally debating a new facilities master plan to address aging buildings and dozens...
Trump threatens tariffs on China over ‘hostile’ rare earths policy
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump threatened a "massive increase" in tariffs on products from China after Beijing tightened export controls on rare earth minerals critical to advanced...
Illinois legislator urges school discipline to focus on behavior, not race
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – McLean County Unit 5 submits a new discipline plan under state law after racial disparities are...
WATCH: Trump appeals Guard TRO as DHS looks to ‘double down’ law enforcement in Chicago
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 reviews the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Trump appeals judge’s Guard order; ICE fence ordered down in Broadview
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Trump appeals judge's Guard order The Trump administration has appealed a federal judge’s temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction blocking the...
Trump administration appeals Illinois TRO blocking National Guard deployment
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Trump administration is appealing a federal judge’s temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction blocking the administration’s...
District 161 to Charter New Special Scouting Unit for Students with Disabilities
Summit Hill School District 161 Board Meeting | September 17, 2025 Article Summary: The Summit Hill District 161 Board of Education voted to become the charter organization for a new...
Sheriff’s Office Reports Crime Down 10%, Cites Body Cam Footage as Main Challenge of Safety Act
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Sheriff's Office reported a nearly 10% overall drop in crime compared to the same...
Will County Considers Moving Land Use Public Hearings Away from Full Board Meetings
Will County Executive Committee Meeting October 9, 2025 Article Summary: A proposal to move the final public hearing for zoning and land use cases from the full Will County Board...
Federal judge grants Illinois restraining order against Trump for Guard deployment
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A federal judge has granted the state of Illinois’ request for a temporary restraining order to prevent...
Illinois quick hits: Another quantum company announced for incentives
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Another quantum company announced for incentives Another quantum computing company is taking advantage of state incentives to establish its headquarters at...
WATCH: Noem says DHS ‘doubling down’ in Chicago
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is getting more property in Chicago for federal law enforcement efforts,...
Illinois gas price drop sparks mileage tax talk, road fund healthy
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As gas prices fall across Illinois, state and local governments may see a decrease in revenue...
