WATCH: Tax increase talk at Statehouse; Bost’s election lawsuit against Illinois wins standing
January 15, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square’s Greg Bishop discusses the status of Illinois’ budget, and shares comments from Gov. J.B. Pritzker about the impacts to state spending if federal taxpayer funds are frozen. Legislators discuss the prospect of tax increases with a proposal being floated to have a surcharge on millionaires.
Bishop also discusses the status of mail-in voting in Illinois. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Illinois Congressman Mike Bost has standing to sue the Illinois State Board of Elections over the state’s policy of counting mail-in ballots up to two weeks after election day.
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.
Wed Jun 17
71° 54°
Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Will County P&Z Forwards Monee and Manhattan Residential Projects
Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: The PZC approved zoning requests facilitating residential improvements in Monee and Manhattan. The approvals allow for the construction of...
Board Awards $242,500 Contract for Roof Repairs at Mary Drew Center
Summit Hill School District 161 Meeting | Jan. 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Summit Hill School District 161 Board approved a contract with RB Crowther Roofing to resurface specific sections...
Will County P&Z: Wilton Township Wedding Venue Secured for 2026 Season
Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: For the third consecutive year, the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a temporary use permit for...
Frankfort Library Board Reviews Capital Wish List, Advances Reading Room Project
Frankfort Public Library District Meeting | Dec. 11, 2025 Article Summary: The Frankfort Public Library District Board of Trustees discussed a wide range of potential future facility upgrades, including soundproof...
Chicago FOP boss: Mayor’s ICE on Notice order is ‘piece of toilet paper’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order directing members of the city’s police department to...
Summit Hill Board Approves $104,000 Snow Removal Bill Following Scrutiny Over Costs
Summit Hill School District 161 Meeting | Jan. 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education voted to approve a six-figure payment to Alpine Snow...
Lawmaker, officer: ‘Blue Envelope” could help navigate autism during stops
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker who also serves in law enforcement says proposed legislation creating a “Blue Envelope”...
WATCH: Supreme Court case could add to $10.8B midterm spending projection
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court could issue a decision by July that could unleash billions more dollars into political campaigns ahead of the 2026 midterm elections....
Will County P&Z Grants Variances for Unpermitted Structures in Crete and Manhattan
Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Planning and Zoning Commission approved variances for property owners in Crete and Manhattan who built agricultural structures without...
Senate GOP fails to halt welfare funding for non-citizens
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans failed to halt over $5 billion in funding for refugees, with 20 GOP senators joining every Senate Democrat to continue providing costly...
Senate passes funding deal, sends to House for final approval
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate sent a $1.2 trillion government funding package back to the House for approval Friday night, ensuring a partial government shutdown over the...
California group opposes property tax hike, billionaires’ tax
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Officials with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association are concerned about efforts to raise property taxes on California’s homeowners, a representative of the organization told The...
Illinois quick hits: New Illinois Supreme Court justice installed
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square New Illinois Supreme Court justice installed The newest member of the Illinois Supreme Court has been installed. Former appellate court justice...
