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.
⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 16 at 2:44AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 15
72° 54°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Fiscal Fallout: Illinois has among highest-paid state employees
By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The average wages for Illinois state employees are among the highest in the nation and belie the...
Report: State reliance on federal funds up significantly since 1990s
By Tate MillerThe Center Square States rely on federal dollars more than they have in modern history, according to a new report, with one of the report’s authors saying such...
Southwest low on list of safest states; Northeast at the top
By Dave MasonThe Center Square The Northeast corner is the safest part of the U.S., according to a new WalletHub study. The Southwest? Not so much. Issues such as high...
Washington state attorney general agrees to protect seal of confession
By Tim ClouserThe Center Square The Washington State Attorney General's Office reported on Friday that it has reached an agreement with the Catholic Church over a new abuse reporting law....
Pacific Northwest journalists sound off on Antifa at President Trump’s roundtable
By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Journalists from the Pacific Northwest took part in President Donald Trump’s Wednesday roundtable discussion on Antifa that included top cabinet officials and other independent members...
Nvidia will pay 100k visa fees, others unsure
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said his company would pay $100,000 fees for H-1B visas imposed by the Trump administration. On Sept. 19, President Donald Trump...
‘Shameful:’ GOP leaders frustrated with Dems on tenth day of shutdown
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. senators have left town for the weekend and will not vote again on a federal funding bill until Tuesday, meaning the ongoing government shutdown...
Trump snubbed by Nobel Committee, praised by winner
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After being credited for ending seven wars, President Donald Trump was snubbed for the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump, who accumulated several high-profile nominations for the...
Will County Committee Approves Preliminary $161.6M Tax Levy on Split Vote Amid Heated Debate Over Spending
Will County Finance Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Finance Committee on Tuesday narrowly approved a preliminary $161.6 million property tax levy for 2025, which projects...
Will County Eyes Major Overhaul to Consolidate Scattered Government Offices
Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: Will County officials are formally debating a new facilities master plan to address aging buildings and dozens...
Trump threatens tariffs on China over ‘hostile’ rare earths policy
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump threatened a "massive increase" in tariffs on products from China after Beijing tightened export controls on rare earth minerals critical to advanced...
Illinois legislator urges school discipline to focus on behavior, not race
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – McLean County Unit 5 submits a new discipline plan under state law after racial disparities are...
WATCH: Trump appeals Guard TRO as DHS looks to ‘double down’ law enforcement in Chicago
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 reviews the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Trump appeals judge’s Guard order; ICE fence ordered down in Broadview
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Trump appeals judge's Guard order The Trump administration has appealed a federal judge’s temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction blocking the...
