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
‘They deserve their story’: Bill aims to open foster care files
By Cat Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are moving to ensure families adopting children from the state’s foster care system receive...
Under Trump, Big Bend CBP Sector in Texas making history
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The far west Texas U.S. Customs and Border Protection sector of Big Bend made history under the Biden and Trump administrations – for different reasons....
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education for Jan. 15, 2026
Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 15, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education met on Thursday, January 15, 2026, covering a...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Square Park District for Dec. 1, 2025
Frankfort Square Park District Meeting | Dec. 1, 2025 The Frankfort Square Park District Board of Commissioners met on Monday, Dec. 1, to finalize the annual tax levy and discuss...
Prairie View Landfill Expansion Plans Take Shape as Consultants Navigate Design Challenges
Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: Geologic Associates presented a detailed status update on the proposed expansion of the Prairie View Landfill, outlining a dual...
Pro-life marchers say fight against abortion isn’t over
By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square Despite the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the March for Life continues. With the decision to ban or support abortion now in the hands of...
Govt. funding process close to finish line as Senate preps for final vote
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The ball is in the U.S. Senate’s court to avert a government shutdown Jan. 30, with six fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills signed into law...
Dodgers’ first baseman loses $2M on home sale after taxes
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Selling a high-value property in Los Angeles? Tax experts advise caution: You could be in the same boat as Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman....
California sues Trump administration over oil pipelines
By Dave MasonThe Center Square California is suing the Trump administration over its decision to take control of two state pipelines and permit Sable Offshore Corp. to restart pumping oil...
HHS won’t use taxpayer dollars for research using aborted fetal tissue
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is banning the use of human fetal tissue sourced from elective abortion in federally funded research. Under...
Education Department issues Title 1 consolidation guidance
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education issued guidance to state education officials urging Title I schools to consolidate federal, state and local funding into a single...
U.S. Senate postpones Monday votes ahead of govt funding deadline
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate canceled votes originally scheduled for Monday due to inclement weather, shortening the timeframe for legislators to pass necessary funding bills to avoid...
Illinois lawmakers clash over ICE funding as DHS bill advances
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman broke with a faction of moderate Democrats recently by voting against a Department...
