WATCH: Chicago committee rejects proposed tax hikes; Hemp industry wants regulation
November 18, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares comments from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson after a city council committee rejected a slew of proposed tax increases he says are needed to prevent layoffs in city government. Johnson vowed to veto a budget with a property tax increase, but dodged whether he’d veto a budget that didn’t include a head tax on employers.
Bishop also discusses the current status of regulations on the hemp industry after the federal government approved regulating intoxicating hemp products. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he’s looking to work with the industry on how Illinois can further regulate the industry.
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.
Wed Jun 17
71° 54°
Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
WATCH: Chicago mayor: ‘Wicked’ people want chaos; critics rip mayor
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The mayor of Chicago has expressed his opposition to an alternative budget proposal from the city council....
WATCH: Chicago mayor warns of budget ‘chaos,’ end-of-life options bill on gov’s desk
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop provides highlights from...
Committee Postpones Vote on Brandon Road Fill Operation After Tree Clearing Allegations
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee voted to postpone a decision on a proposed clean...
Ogalla Blasts New State Solar Legislation
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: During a discussion on zoning matters, Will County Board Member Judy Ogalla strongly criticized the passage of...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for December 2, 2025
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 2, 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Planning and Zoning Commission met on December 2, 2025, to consider a variety of...
Metra Announces No Fare Hikes; Highlights Bridge Projects in Joliet and Mokena
Will County Committee of the Whole Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: Metra officials presented a balanced 2026 budget to the Will County Board, confirming that riders will not see...
Rent collusion suit tossed vs manufactured home community operators
By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal judge has dismissed, for now, a class action accusing some of the nation’s largest manufactured home community landlords of rent...
Illinois quick hits: Planned vigil opposes physician-assisted suicide; NFIB urges veto of energy bill
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Planned vigil opposes physician-assisted suicide A vigil is planned Thursday afternoon outside the State of Illinois building in Chicago’s West Loop,...
State rep: Pritzker already ‘gamed the system’ with redistricting
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Illinois lawmakers will take action if the Indiana legislature votes to redraw...
Public Works Committee: Will County Consolidates Paratransit Services Amid Funding Debates
Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board’s Public Works Committee advanced an agreement to consolidate paratransit services into a single countywide...
Peotone Rallies Past Reed-Custer in 38-36 Thriller
PEOTONE — In a game defined by defensive intensity and a second-half surge, the Peotone Blue Devils fought their way back from a halftime deficit to edge the Reed-Custer Comets, 38-36,...
Peotone School Board Appoints Robert Steven Clark as New Board Member
Article Summary: The Peotone Board of Education approved the appointment of a new board member during a special meeting held on Monday evening. The board voted to seat Robert Steven...
P&Z Commission: Peotone Area Variances Forwarded for Garage and Pole Barn
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved variance requests for two properties in Peotone Township, allowing...
