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
70° 55°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Agency improves license processing times; PA leader calls for modernization
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation says it has reduced the average processing time for...
These are the members of Congress who voted against disclosing sexual harassment claims
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Nearly all members of Congress, 357 Republicans and Democrats, don’t want taxpayers to know which members have used taxpayer funds to pay sexual harassment claims....
House Republicans re-pass DHS funding bill in symbolic vote
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House re-passed the 2026 Homeland Security funding bill in a symbolic vote Thursday, amping up pressure on Democrats as DHS remains shuttered while...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker to Noem: ‘Don’t let the door hit you’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s legacy is corruption and chaos. In...
Trump’s newest tariff program won’t raise nearly as much money
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's newest tariffs, which already face a legal challenge in court, could increase deficits by $1.6 billion over the next decade, if they...
Legal experts: Supreme Court should decide energy policy framework over climate lawsuits
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the fall over a case to decide whether states can sue fossil fuel companies for damages related...
Frankfort Village Board Approves Four-Year Contract with Public Works and Utilities Union
Village of Frankfort Meeting | March 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Village of Frankfort on Monday approved a comprehensive four-year collective bargaining agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers...
Judge orders tariff refunds, but Friday’s hearing could set course
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The government must refund more than $130 billion in tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump's unconstitutional tariff regime, even to those who did not file...
Iran War Powers resolution fails in House
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Congressional efforts to halt the U.S. military’s operations in Iran have now failed twice, with the U.S. House tanking a War Powers Resolution only a...
Chicago police monitor Iran-U.S. conflict; public advised to be aware
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Police say they are monitoring the U.S. conflict in Iran. Residents and visitors observed a significant...
Illinois secretary of state wants nearly 2% budget increase
By Sean Reed | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias wants nearly 2% more in taxpayer funds for his upcoming...
Illinois Quick Hits: Suspect arrested in connection with East St. Louis killing
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Illinois State Police special agents arrested a man accused of...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Landfill Committee for February 10, 2026
Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | February 10, 2026 The Will County Landfill Committee met on Tuesday to address legal preparations for the upcoming landfill expansion and operational needs at...
