WATCH: Debate around which tax to increase; pension enhancements, energy bills advance
October 30, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews the ongoing debate at the Illinois Statehouse about which taxes to increase during the final days of fall veto session. Among the proposals are an “amusement tax,” a retail delivery tax and decoupling Illinois tax code from the federal tax code.
Bishop also reviews several measures advancing through the legislature, including a pension reform measure that passed an Illinois House committee and an energy measure focused on renewables that passed the Illinois House. Both chambers are in session for the final day of veto session Thursday.
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 Jul 23
80° 61°
Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Trump shares look at Qatari aircraft for AF1
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump shared a look at a new aircraft with The Center Square on Friday that will serve as Air Force One. The Air...
Feds plan for student loan interest rates could cost taxpayers
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education is reducing student loan interest rates for borrowers, but critics argue the move could cost taxpayers billions of dollars. The...
Altadena residents upset about multiple homes on lots
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is frustrated with state laws allowing multiple homes to be built on single-home sites in...
WATCH: GOP lawmaker voices opposition to gas tax increase
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California drivers can expect the state’s gas tax to go up 2.2 cents on July 1, which will bring the total tax to 63.4 cents...
Experts comment on bill banning U.S. lawmakers from insider prediction bidding
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Newly introduced legislation to ban members of Congress from betting in prediction markets should be expanded to include members of all three branches of the...
GOP reacts to Los Angeles proposal for noncitizen voters
By Robert MattesonThe Center Square The Los Angeles City Council is facing criticism from a Republican Party leader after deciding to move forward with a Nov. 3 ballot initiative to...
Will County Committee Pulls Single-Member District Referendum
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | June 11, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, June 11, 2026, removed a proposed referendum on single-member county...
Cook County taxpayers face projected $550.7 million deficit
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has projected a budget gap of $550.7 million dollars for fiscal...
Further Middle East unrest dominates tense delay of peace deal signing
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square In a day that was supposed to feature technical negotiations following the signing of a preliminary peace deal, Iran has instead issued multiple warnings and...
Illinois Quick Hits: Economic development summit set for next week
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Economic Development Summit is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Topics include transportation, energy, workforce strategy,...
California legislator accuses Newsom of violating state code
By Robert MattesonThe Center Square Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, has commented further about his call for California Gov. Gavin Newsom to be investigated for using state resources for personal...
Op-Ed: What is the Declaration of Independence?
By Rob Natelson | Mountain States Policy CenterThe Center Square I frequently answer constitutional questions from individuals who want to know more about the relationship between the Constitution and the...
Illinois sees biggest drop in gas prices nationwide, still above $4 average
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The national average price for a gallon of motor fuel has steadily dropped in the past week,...
