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.
Today Jun 17
72° 55°
Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Illinois Quick Hits: Rockford sex abuse suspect arrested
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State Police say a tip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children led to...
Lawmakers concerned over taxpayer burden of Iran conflict
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As U.S. military operations in Iran continue with no end in sight, lawmakers are debating whether to authorize billions in taxpayer money for the Pentagon....
Pritzker pushes back on Megaproject tax concerns
By Sean Reed | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker pushed back on the idea that proposed legislation, dubbed the “Megaprojects Bill,”...
Measles spreads across some Southwestern states
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square The area along the Arizona and Utah border is continuing to see the measles outbreak that started in August, and California and Colorado have seen...
EXCLUSIVE: Inside one Michigan town’s fight against solar expansion
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square In Fayette Township in southwest Michigan, a series of utility-scale solar projects has drawn hundreds of residents to local meetings and sparked a grassroots campaign...
Trump demands unconditional surrender from Iran, mentions regime change
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump has said he will accept nothing less from Iran than unconditional surrender, according to a social media post on Friday morning. “There...
Illinois pols react to Homeland Security secretary’s exit, reassignment
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A member of Congress from Illinois says it is not enough for President Donald Trump to fire...
Illinois quick hits: Appeals court vacates use of force injunction; Charges filed for possession of sex abuse materials; Gas prices keep rising
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Appeals court vacates use of force injunction The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has vacated U.S. District Court Judge Sara...
U.S. cut 92,000 jobs in ‘dismal’ February report, unemployment 4.4%
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, a significant cut after January saw a better-than-expected report, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The...
Board Splits Along Party Lines to Approve 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda
Will County Board Meeting | February 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board adopted its 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda in a 10-9 vote, establishing the county's priorities for lobbying efforts...
Turmoil in Texas: Concerns for Paxton to drop out, Gonzales drops reelection bid
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Within two days of the March primary election, two high-profile races are already in turmoil. Republican leaders are taking actions to keep the seats red,...
HHS and DOC announce nutrition education initiative for medical schools
By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square Nutrition education for medical students will become more prominent in curriculum beginning this upcoming fall. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F....
Target sued for checking arrest records of new hires: Class action
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square CHICAGO — Target has been hit by a new class action lawsuit accusing it of violating Illinois state law by conducting criminal...
