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
Federal debt expected to climb, but how much debt can U.S. carry?
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The latest projections show U.S. debt will continue to grow over the next decade, hitting 120% of gross domestic product by 2036, raising questions about...
Op-Ed: If Illinois wants clean energy, it needs data centers
By LyLena Estabine | Illinois Policy InstituteThe Center Square If Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to reach his environmental and economic goals, data centers will need to be central to...
Illinois senator’s bill on transgender ‘mental illness’ sparks debate
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Sen. Andrew Chesney, R–Freeport, is pushing legislation that would classify transgenderism as a mental illness...
Lawmaker says Illinois behind 44 states in legislative transparency
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House Minority Leader Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, is renewing her bid to increase transparency in...
Illinois Quick Hits: Foreign national faces harboring, forced labor charges
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Honduran citizen residing in Waukegan has been indicted for allegedly bringing illegal aliens into the United...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Legislative Committee for February 3, 2026
Legislative Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 The Will County Legislative Committee convened on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to finalize its federal priorities and receive updates on state and national...
Health & Safety Committee: Opioid Overdose Deaths Drop to Zero in January as Behavioral Health Department Expands Role
Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | February 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Health Department reported a significant decline in opioid overdose deaths, recording zero fatalities in January...
Illinois GOP state reps call on Dems to stop taxing s’mores, other goods
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House Republicans are calling on Democrats to oppose new tax proposals. State Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton,...
Illinois Quick Hits: Tangent to expand in Montgomery
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced on Wednesday that a...
Retail advocate: Swipe fees ruling is largest Main St. ‘relief package’ in Illinois
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A retail business advocate says a federal judge’s ruling to uphold the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act paves...
Smith & Wesson wins appeal chance in Highland Park lawsuits
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Gunmaker Smith & Wesson will get a chance to appeal a Lake County judge's decision clearing the way for the families of...
Illinois Republicans say federal student data probe may reach Illinois State after Tufts review
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The McLean County Republican Party says a newly announced federal investigation into Tufts University could have...
Violence Interrupters, local activists lead CTA safety push
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Violence Interrupters founder Tio Hardiman has joined with faith-based leaders and community activists across the city...
