Illinois quick hits: Former governor proposes millionaire's surcharge; digital state ID launched

Illinois quick hits: Former governor proposes millionaire’s surcharge; digital state ID launched

November 18, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Former governor proposes millionaire’s surcharge

Former Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing for a state constitutional amendment requiring Illinois millionaires to pay a 3% surcharge on their income tax returns.

The former governor said the millionaire’s tax would go to support a $4.5 billion property tax relief fund.

Quinn launched the campaign Tuesday outside the Cook County Treasurer’s Office in Chicago.

Digital state ID launched

Starting Wednesday, Illinois residents can add their Illinois-issued driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet and present their ID using their iPhone and Apple Watch.

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said, for now, Illinois residents must continue to carry their physical ID.

Illinois joins 12 other states and the territory of Puerto Rico by offering driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet.

Money laundering charges

The founder of a Chicago cryptocurrency company has been indicted in an alleged $10 million money laundering conspiracy.

Prosecutors say Crypto Dispensers CEO Firas Isa, 36, of Frankfort, Illinois and his company, Virtual Assets, have both pleaded not guilty.

According to the indictment, Isa’s company operated a cash-to-cryptocurrency exchange business with crypto ATMs at various locations throughout the United States.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Universities warn state funding delays are wasting millions in taxpayer investment

Universities warn state funding delays are wasting millions in taxpayer investment

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Long‑delayed university repair funding is leaving campuses across the state with holes in their roofs, and in...
Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student's alleged killer faces federal firearm charge

Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student’s alleged killer faces federal firearm charge

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An 18-year-old Loyola University student’s accused killer has also been charged with illegal possession of a firearm....
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.2

Will County Kicks Off Comprehensive Land Resource Management Plan Update with Focus on Proactive Zoning and Environmental Justice

Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | March 26, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee held a special workshop to kick off...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Infighting and Calls for Resignation Disrupt Will County Board Meeting

Will County Board Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: Calls for the resignation of a Will County Board member over a recent misdemeanor conviction derailed the end of the...
Peotone softball blue devil graphic

S. Klawitter’s 15 Strikeouts Power Peotone Past Prairie Central 6-2

Senior pitcher S. Klawitter delivered a masterful 15-strikeout performance in the circle to lead the Peotone varsity softball team to a 6-2 non-conference road victory over Prairie Central on Thursday...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

Will County Land Use Committee Splits Votes on Massive Earthrise Solar Projects Amid Intense Public Opposition

Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | April 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Tuesday faced a marathon session dominated...
Report: Coordinated resilience infrastructure is needed in age of AI

Report: Coordinated resilience infrastructure is needed in age of AI

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Highly coordinated resilience infrastructure is needed in the age of artificial intelligence, says a new report released Thursday from the Elon University Imagining the Digital...
Green Garden Township Supervisor Dean Christofilos address the Will County Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on March 30. Photo by Andrea Arens.

Will County P&Z Recommends Denial of 6,000-Acre “Pride of the Prairie” Solar Project After Contentious Hearing

By Andrea Arens JOLIET — After more than eight hours of testimony and public comment spanning two nights, the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4–2 to recommend denial...
U.S., NATO alliance on the line as Trump set to meet with Rutte

U.S., NATO alliance on the line as Trump set to meet with Rutte

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Tensions are running high between President Donald Trump and NATO leaders, as grumblings grow over the U.S. withdrawing from the alliance. NATO’s relationship with the...
BREAKING: Trump fires Bondi, Blanche to lead DOJ

BREAKING: Trump fires Bondi, Blanche to lead DOJ

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump removed Attorney General Pam Bondi from the Department of Justice on Thursday, according to a post on social media. "Pam Bondi is...
States sue Trump administration over rollback of some air pollution regulations

States sue Trump administration over rollback of some air pollution regulations

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is co-leading a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s rollback of some federal limits on toxic air pollution. The lawsuit...
Energy affordability report ranks Illinois 31st, warns of 'burdensome' mandates

Energy affordability report ranks Illinois 31st, warns of ‘burdensome’ mandates

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a new report on energy affordability, burdensome mandates are making Illinois more expensive. The American...
Illinois voices weigh in on birthright citizenship case

Illinois voices weigh in on birthright citizenship case

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the U.S. Supreme Court considers a high-stakes challenge to birthright citizenship, a constitutional law expert...
U.S. rep.: Mexico still not delivering water to South Texas, despite claims

U.S. rep.: Mexico still not delivering water to South Texas, despite claims

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Despite repeated claims by Trump administration officials, Mexico is not delivering water as promised to South Texas in accordance with a long-standing treaty. In January,...
Supporters say will storage option would streamline judicial process

Supporters say will storage option would streamline judicial process

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Supporters say an Illinois House bill allowing county clerks to develop a will depository would streamline judicial...