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.
⚠️ Flood Watch issued June 17 at 12:53PM CDT until June 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 16
72° 59°
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
District Secures Lower Electricity Rates and Plans Capital Improvements
Frankfort School District 157-C Meeting | Nov. 2025 Article Summary: The district has locked in a new electricity rate through a reverse auction and is moving forward with a five-year...
Board Honors Late Hickory Creek Teacher David Wonder
Frankfort School District 157-C Meeting | Nov. 2025 Article Summary: The School Board passed a formal resolution honoring the memory of Hickory Creek Middle School music teacher David "Dave" Wonder,...
Everyday Economics: Why this week’s labor data matters more than the headlines
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square This week’s economic calendar brings familiar names – the ISM Manufacturing and Services indices – but the real focus is the return of government labor...
Costly refugee funding on the table as they rake in over a dozen taxpayer benefits
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As American taxpayers are plagued with high housing costs, rising medical expenses and other costs, many refugees continue to qualify for over a dozen costly...
IL U.S. Senate candidates differ on Affordable Care Act tax credits
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Illinois Democrats call for an extension of federal tax credits to address higher Affordable Care Act...
Protesters mobilize in wake of Maduro capture
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A number of groups held protests across the country Saturday in the wake of the U.S. capture and removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The...
Pritzker: Trump’s military action in Venezuela is ‘unconstitutional’
By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square President Donald Trump is praising the United States military for capturing Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, but Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says the president’s action is...
Bipartisan lawmakers slam U.S. takeover of Venezuela
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Lawmakers have sharply criticized the United States' takeover of Venezuela on Saturday. President Donald Trump said the U.S. will run Venezuela "until such a time...
Homer Glen Man Charged with Reckless Discharge, Battery to Deputy Following Standoff
Article Summary: Michael Farrell, 52, was arrested after firing over a dozen shots from his home, triggering a SWAT response and a shelter-in-place order for neighbors on December 28. Deputies...
WATCH: Trump says U.S. will run Venezuela for foreseeable future
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. will run Venezuela “until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” President Donald Trump said Saturday following the...
World leaders call for UN response after Maduro capture
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The international community is reacting to the news that President Donald Trump announced early in the morning on social media: The U.S. carried out a...
Democrats slam Venezuelan strikes, Maduro capture
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Democratic lawmakers criticized President Donald Trump's announcement of land strikes against Venezuela and leader Nicolas Maduro's capture. In a post to social media, Trump announced...
Trump sheds more light on Venezuela strike, Maduro capture
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump shed more light on the strikes on Venezuela and the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. During an interview on Fox...
