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
Frankfort 157-C Leaders Unveil Ambitious Annual Plan Focusing on AI, Security, and Staff Retention
Article Summary: Frankfort School District 157-C administrators presented a detailed 2025-2026 Annual Plan that includes forming a technology task force to study AI, upgrading school security with enhanced cameras and...
Frankfort Park Board Approves Over $19,000 in Construction Changes for Fort Frankfort Project
Article Summary: The Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners approved a series of construction change orders for the Fort Frankfort project, resulting in a net cost increase of $19,216.50. The...
Ohio’s American-owned nuclear energy company plans expansion
By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square If the federal government comes through with funding, one of the country’s only uranium enrichment facilities expects to expand. Centrus Energy announced Thursday morning the...
Trump demands investigation into ‘sabotage’ during U.N. speech
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for an investigation into what he said were "sinister events" before and during his high-profile United Nations speech a...
Experts warn action needed to preserve Colorado River
By Liam HibbertThe Center Square The Colorado River has been in decline since the turn of the 21st century – and emergency action may be required sooner than projected, experts...
WATCH: McMahon discusses education at Reagan Institute
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized literacy, artificial intelligence, civil discourse and education funding at the Reagan Institute Summit on Education. Indiana Education Secretary Katie...
Illegal border crossings near record low in August
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – Illegal border crossings in August remained at near record lows although they were slightly up from July. Illegal crossings in...
Lower U.S. oil production projected in 2026
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square Activity in the oil and gas sector declined slightly in the third quarter of 2025, according to executives at exploration and production firms headquartered in...
GOP leader disputes Newsom’s comments on Colbert’s show
By Dave MasonThe Center Square The Republican leader in the California Assembly said Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom went too far when he told CBS host Stephen Colbert he feared there...
‘Ivy League’ doesn’t mean excellent medical schools, according to new index
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square In a new public ranking of American medical schools, two public Florida universities outscored the medical colleges at Harvard and the Mayo Clinic. The Medical...
Report: ‘Weaknesses’ and ‘unusual increases’ found in management of Ukrainian aid
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Some of the $45 billion in American taxpayer dollars sent to the Ukrainian government as foreign aid may have been mishandled, according to a new...
WATCH: Illinois lawmakers clash over election consolidation and compulsory voting
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are weighing boosting voter turnout by consolidating elections and considering compulsory voting. During a...
Gubernatorial candidate calls for reason, peace outside Illinois ICE facility
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski says repealing the TRUST Act to end the state’s sanctuary status is...
