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.

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

DEA surge against cartel turns up fentanyl, millions in cash, guns

DEA surge against cartel turns up fentanyl, millions in cash, guns

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said Monday it seized fentanyl, fake pills, millions in cash, 244 guns, and made 670 arrests during a week-long surge...
Illinois quick hits: Woman charged in Metro East murder; taxpayer funded homeowner relief fund announced

Illinois quick hits: Woman charged in Metro East murder; taxpayer funded homeowner relief fund announced

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Woman charged in Metro East murder A Belleville woman is under arrested in connection with a homicide in East St. Louis,...
WATCH: Former state lawmakers endorse, donors support GOP candidate Dabrowski

WATCH: Former state lawmakers endorse, donors support GOP candidate Dabrowski

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While Gov. J.B. Pritzker remains unchallenged in the 2026 Democratic Party primary, Republican candidates for governor are...
Louisiana native awaits Senate confrmation

Louisiana native awaits Senate confrmation

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square Louisiana native David LaCerte, an official in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, is still awaiting a confirmation vote in the U.S. Senate.LaCertie was nominated...
Portland protests Trump’s plan to send federal troops to protect ICE facilities

Portland protests Trump’s plan to send federal troops to protect ICE facilities

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Several hundred Portland, Ore., residents took to the streets Sunday afternoon to protest President Donald Trump's order to deploy federal troops to the city to...
With potential mass transit service cuts looming, IL legislators seek reforms

With potential mass transit service cuts looming, IL legislators seek reforms

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers may be put on the hook to pay for a more than three-quarters of...
Trump asks Supreme Court to review birthright citizenship case again

Trump asks Supreme Court to review birthright citizenship case again

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to consider legal challenges on an executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship. The administration asked...
Trump's limited drug tariffs might not bring back U.S. manufacturing

Trump’s limited drug tariffs might not bring back U.S. manufacturing

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's 100% tariffs on imported medicines include a carveout for generic drugs, which could limit the move's effectiveness. Monica Gorman served as special...
Government shutdown deadline days away, but Dems don't budge on demands

Government shutdown deadline days away, but Dems don’t budge on demands

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Less than 48 hours until the federal government runs out of money, Democratic congressional leaders show no signs of folding on their budget demands. President...
Report: 25 state governments don’t have enough money to pay their bills

Report: 25 state governments don’t have enough money to pay their bills

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Half of U.S. states don’t have enough money to cover their bills, according to a new report published by the nonprofit Chicago-based Truth in Accounting....
Officials react to DOJ voter roll lawsuit

Officials react to DOJ voter roll lawsuit

By Christina LengyelThe Center Square People are speaking up about a lawsuit filed against the commonwealth Thursday by the U.S. Department of Justice for failure to comply with a request...
Defense says more time needed for Tyler Robinson case

Defense says more time needed for Tyler Robinson case

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The defense won’t waive its right to a preliminary hearing but needs more time before a date is set, the court-appointed attorney for Tyler James...
Tribal members want 15 minutes for oral arguments in tariff case

Tribal members want 15 minutes for oral arguments in tariff case

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Blackfeet Nation members asked the Supreme Court on Monday to set aside 15 minutes during oral arguments in the case challenging President Donald Trump's tariffs....
Welfare reform pilot to reduce government dependency is ‘step forward’, scholar says

Welfare reform pilot to reduce government dependency is ‘step forward’, scholar says

By Tate MillerThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – A Cato scholar called the Department of Health and Human Service’s redesigned welfare pilot that intends to reduce government dependency...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker monitoring federal deployments; IDOT discusses Chicago to Rockford plans

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker monitoring federal deployments; IDOT discusses Chicago to Rockford plans

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker monitoring federal deployments Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is closely monitoring federal deployments in the Chicago suburb of Broadview. Protesters...