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.
Latest News Stories
Green Garden Residents Mobilize Against Massive 18-Square-Mile Solar Facility
Green Garden Township Meeting October 13 @ 7PM Article Summary: A volunteer citizen group in Green Garden Township has announced a five-phase strategy to stop a massive commercial solar facility...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Peotone Board of Education for September 22, 2025
The Peotone school board on Monday, September 22, 2025, rejected the district's 2025-2026 budget, which carried a $4.2 million deficit, setting off an urgent scramble to find significant cuts before...
Will County Board Committee Passes Contentious ‘Live and Work Without Fear’ Resolution on 4-3 Vote
Will County Legislative Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Legislative Committee on Tuesday narrowly passed a controversial resolution affirming the county's commitment to ensuring all residents...
Will County Awards $10.4 Million Contract for Bell Road Widening in Homer Glen Area
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee on Tuesday confirmed the award of a $10.4 million...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for October 7, 2025
The Will County Finance Committee on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, held a contentious meeting centered on the county’s finances, narrowly approving a preliminary $161.6 million county-wide tax levy on a...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee for October 7, 2025
The Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, approved a major construction contract and reviewed extensive plans for both county and state transportation initiatives. The...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee for October 7, 2025
The Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee spent the bulk of its meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, discussing the county’s long-term facilities master plan. Faced with an aging...
District Launches ‘Peotone PRIDE’ Engagement Meetings to Boost Community Communication
207U School Regular Board Meeting September 22, 2025 Article Summary: The Peotone school district administration is launching a new community outreach initiative called "Peotone PRIDE," a series of monthly meetings...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee for October 2, 2025
The Will County Public Health & Safety Committee on Thursday, October 2, 2025, heard a mix of alarming and encouraging public health news, as officials reported a dramatic 50% drop...
Will County Shapes 2026 Federal Agenda, Prioritizing Health, Housing, and Workforce Funding
Will County Legislative Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Legislative Committee on Tuesday began finalizing its 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda, formally adopting key priorities that include...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for October 9, 2025
The Will County Board’s Executive Committee held a contentious meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2025, dominated by debates over public access and a controversial resolution concerning immigrant rights. A proposal...
Renovations at Veterans Assistance Commission and Court Annex on Track for Winter Completion
Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: Will County's new Veterans Assistance Commission facility in Joliet is projected to be completed by December, while...
Will County Considers First Update to Wastewater Ordinance Since 2016
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: Will County is preparing to update its ordinance governing private wastewater systems, with proposed changes including the...
