WATCH: Debate around which tax to increase; pension enhancements, energy bills advance
October 30, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews the ongoing debate at the Illinois Statehouse about which taxes to increase during the final days of fall veto session. Among the proposals are an “amusement tax,” a retail delivery tax and decoupling Illinois tax code from the federal tax code.
Bishop also reviews several measures advancing through the legislature, including a pension reform measure that passed an Illinois House committee and an energy measure focused on renewables that passed the Illinois House. Both chambers are in session for the final day of veto session Thursday.
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.
Community Events
MondayDecember 8, 2025
TuesdayDecember 9, 2025
WednesdayDecember 10, 2025
Pajama Storytime with Santa (Session #1)12:30 amPajama Storytime with Santa (Session #2)1:00 amSensory-Friendly Pajama Storytime with Santa (Session #3)3:30 pm(Ages 0-2): Baby Storytime4:30 pm(Ages 0-2): Baby Storytime10:00 pmHigh School: Winter Reindeer Decoration10:15 pm(Gr. 3rd-5th) Bluestem Book Club - "Nell of Gumbling"
ThursdayDecember 11, 2025
Latest News Stories
New Lenox to Host Large Pollinator-Friendly Solar Farm
Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board unanimously approved a special use permit for a commercial solar energy facility spanning approximately 63 acres in...
JJC Receives Clean Audit, Reports $21.6 Million Increase in Net Position
Joliet Junior College Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:Joliet Junior College received a "clean unmodified audit opinion" for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the highest level of...
Will County Board Passes 0% Tax Levy, Creating “Unbalanced” Budget Crisis
Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: In a contentious fiscal showdown, the Will County Board voted to keep the corporate property tax levy flat, rejecting a proposed...
Poll: Majority of Americans still support legal immigration
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A majority of Americans say that legal immigration is good for the United States, according to a new poll commissioned by The Center Square. The...
New Illinois youth center begins housing youth in Lincoln
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) - After a short delay to finalize staffing and safety preparations, the new Monarch Center in Lincoln...
State officials urge Trump, Congress to address national debt
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and a coalition of state financial officers and lawmakers are urging Congress and President Donald Trump to address the national debt...
Committee Advances Special Use Permit for Used Car Dealership in New Lenox Township
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | November 18, 2025 Article Summary:The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a special use permit for a light equipment sales...
Mokena 159 Students Outperform State Averages on New Baseline Assessments
Mokena School District 159 Meeting | November 19, 2025 Article Summary: Mokena School District 159 students significantly outperformed state averages on the Spring 2025 Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) and...
Lincoln-Way 210 to Purchase 31 Buses, Citing Major Savings Over Leasing
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | November 20, 2025 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education approved the purchase of 28 yellow school buses and three white...
War Department, VA have highest number of unresolved recommendations from congressional watchdog
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Of the 15 federal executive departments that compose the president’s Cabinet, the Departments of War and Veterans Affairs have the most unresolved, open recommendations for...
Nearly 550 truck drivers cited for not understanding English in Illinois YTD
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The number of English language proficiency violations for commercial drivers in Illinois year-to-date has nearly eclipsed last...
Envelopes with white powder sent to two Texas ICE offices, no public threat
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas remains ground zero for targeted attacks against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. In the past few months, ICE facilities in Texas have been...
Georgia GOP thanks Greene; Trump says she ‘went bad’
By Kim JarrettThe Center Square Less than 24 hours after the surprise resignation of U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Georgia Republican received thanks from the state Republican Party and...
