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
Chicago tax proposals draw concern over legality, ‘economic death spiral’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s allies have launched a seven-figure campaign to support his 2026 budget proposal, but...
Illinois quick hits: Former governor proposes millionaire’s surcharge; digital state ID launched
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Former governor proposes millionaire's surcharge Former Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing for a state constitutional amendment requiring Illinois millionaires to pay...
Louisiana Rep. Clay Higgins defends Epstein ‘no’ vote
By Natalie ChandlerThe Center Square LouisianaRepublican Rep. Clay Higgins of Lafayette, the only U.S. House of Representatives lawmaker who voted against releasing documents associated with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein...
U.S. Senate passes bill to release Epstein files, heads to Trump’s desk
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate on Tuesday agreed to pass a bill by unanimous consent requiring the U.S. attorney general to release all documents related to convicted...
Abbott designates Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Gov. Greg Abbott is the first governor in the United States to designate two Muslim groups as Foreign Terrorist and Transnational Criminal Organizations. On Tuesday,...
Judge blocks feds from freezing California education funding
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from freezing University of California's federal funding over alleged violation of anti-discrimination laws. U.S. District Judge Rita Lin...
Texas appealing El Paso court ruling against new congressional maps
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas is appealing a federal district court ruling in a lawsuit filed over its new redistricting law. On Tuesday, a panel of three judges on...
Elections board drops campaign finance fines against IL Senate President
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The campaign finance violation against Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, is over after the Illinois...
Illinois corrections officials say they are on schedule for prison mail scan rule
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Department of Corrections officials are promising to have a permanent rule on electronic mail scanning drafted...
DOJ probes Berkeley riot; Illinois TPUSA warns hostility isn’t just in California
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into University of California Berkeley after...
‘Consequential’ day ahead for future household electricity costs
By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – PJM’s Board of Directors is preparing to make one of the most consequential decisions of this...
WATCH: Chicago committee rejects proposed tax hikes; Hemp industry wants regulation
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 comments from...
Illinois quick hits: Bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act ready for Trump
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act ready for Trump Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-Schaumburg, says a bipartisan bill she sponsored is headed...
Chicago council committee rejects mayor’s proposed tax hikes
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council Committee on Finance has rejected a package of higher taxes proposed by Mayor...
Illinois quick hits: Elections board considers primary election petition objections
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Elections board considers primary election petition objections Gov. J.B. Pritzker has one challenger in the Democratic Party’s gubernatorial primary. Former Chicago...