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.
⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 16 at 2:44AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 15
72° 55°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Fiscal Fallout: States continue to increase budgets despite end of COVID emergency
By Arthur KaneThe Center Square States around the country, hooked on billions of federal dollars that flooded in during COVID, don't want the party to end. But the pandemic subsided...
Colorado lost record $24 million to data scams in 2024
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado residents lost a record high $24 million to personal data scams in 2024, according to a data forensics firm. That was four times the...
Trump vows to pause migration after D.C. shooting
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Thursday he will pause migration from some countries following the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House. The...
Assaults against ICE up 1,153% in 11 months
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Assaults against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are up 1,153% in 11 months, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. As ICE officers...
Illinois quick hits: Deer harvest totals; IHSA voting begins
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Deer harvest totals Illinois hunters harvested a preliminary total of 51,409 deer during the first weekend of the state’s firearm deer...
Texas officials seek to establish Turning Point chapters
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Texas officials are seeking a partnership with the conservative organization Turning Point USA to place chapters on every college and high school campus in the...
In Split 4-2 Vote, Summit Hill 161 Board Approves MacBook Pilot
Frankfort School District 161 Meeting | November 19, 2025 Article Summary: The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education on Wednesday narrowly approved a $27,873 pilot program to purchase...
National Guard member shot near White House dies
By Kim JarrettThe Center Square One of the National Guard members shot near the White House on Wednesday died from her injuries, President Donald Trump said. U.S. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom,...
New Bar Approved in Frankfort Despite Board Opposition
Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board narrowly approved a special use permit for a new bar in Frankfort Township, paving the way for...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Square Park District for October 16, 2025
Frankfort Square Park District Meeting | October 16, 2025 The Frankfort Square Park District Board of Commissioners held its monthly meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025, taking several key financial...
Chicago tenant groups call for eviction moratorium amid ICE raids
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez is pushing for an eviction moratorium while Immigration and Customs Enforcement...
Illinois tax proposals dampen decline in small business uncertainty index
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although the National Federation of Independent Business Uncertainty Index reached its lowest point of the year in...
JJC Board Approves Grundy County Land Purchase Amid Heated Debate
Joliet Junior College Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees voted 6-2 to approve a real estate contract for a new campus in Grundy...
‘Trouble in Toyland’ report sounds alarm on AI toys
By Glenn MinnisThe Center Square Parents should take precaution this holiday season when it comes to artificial intelligence toys after researchers for the new Trouble in Toyland report found safety...
Support Staff Urge Lincoln-Way 210 Board for ‘Fair Contract’ During Public Comment
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | November 20, 2025 Article Summary: Three members of Lincoln-Way District 210's support staff addressed the Board of Education, voicing frustrations over working without...