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: Pritzker looks for 4% ‘efficiencies’ after increasing spending 43% since 2019
By Greg Bishop and Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is looking for 4% "efficiencies" after increasing spending by 43% since...
IL bans PFAS in firefighter gear by 2027, raising safety, market questions
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois firefighters will soon be wearing protective gear free of PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” under a...
WATCH: Pritzker blames Trump for budget cut EO; Chicago public safety on Trump’s mind
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 shares reaction from...
Louisiana joins four states in complaint against electricity grid operator
By Nolan Mckendry | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Louisiana and four other state public service commissions have filed a formal complaint against the Midcontinent Independent...
Illinois quick hits: State rep. appointed circuit judge; Bailey to seek rematch with Pritzker
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square State rep. appointed circuit judge Justice Mary K. O’Brien and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of state Rep....
WATCH: IL governor on photo with wanted suspect: ‘No way to vet everybody’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is defending the use of taxpayer dollars for community violence intervention, even after he...
Illinois quick hits: Constitutional amendment would guarantee parental rights
By The Center SquareThe Center Square Constitutional amendment would guarantee parental rights Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller has filed a constitutional amendment to what her office says would permanently establish...
WATCH: Republican leader: says Pritzker budget cut EO a ploy for IL tax increases
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker blames President Donald Trump for ordering Illinois state agencies to find 4% budget cuts....
Judge’s questions during IL gun ban arguments gives rights advocates ‘hope’
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With Illinois’ gun ban now in the hands of a three judge panel of the federal appeals...
Illinois agencies to post monthly investment reports, lawmaker calls symbolic
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois agencies must now post monthly reports on how taxpayer dollars are invested, a move supporters...
JJC Board Approves Contract with Adjunct Faculty Union
Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | September 2025 Article SummaryThe Joliet Junior College (JJC) Board of Trustees approved a new collective bargaining agreement with the Joliet United Adjuncts...
JJC Board Approves Student Trustee Quorum Policy Amid Heated Debate
Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | September 2025 Article SummaryThe Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees passed a controversial policy change allowing the student trustee to be counted...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Summit Hill School District 161 for August 13, 2025
The Summit Hill District 161 Board of Education on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, approved a major technology contract and navigated a rare split vote on a new teacher hire. The...
