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.
Today Jul 21
75° 55°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Watchdog: Canceled NASA contracts more than doubled in cost
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A new federal watchdog report found contract values on canceled Artemis systems more than doubled, to $5.9 billion, and NASA still hasn't disclosed what its...
Senate committee explores ways to protect American citizenship
By Christine JohnsonThe Center Square The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary’s Subcommittee on the Constitution met on Wednesday to discuss the subject of protecting America’s citizenship, considering America’s 250th...
Chicago video gambling hearing abruptly ends in debate, disarray
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A public meeting Wednesday on the state of legal gambling in Chicago was brought to an abrupt...
$87.6B war supplemental draws bipartisan questions about unrelated riders
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Trump administration has requested Congress authorize $87.6 billion in immediate appropriations, most of which reimburses the costs of Operation Epic Fury and boosts Pentagon...
Illinois Quick Hits: Court rules against parents in East St. Louis busing case
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Supreme Court has reversed an appellate court’s ruling in a case involving state requirements of...
DHS secretary blasts Illinois correctional centers
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is calling out state correctional facilities after he faced questions from...
Walz files for information on Trump ‘retribution campaign’
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Gov. Tim Walz has filed 16 Freedom of Information Act requests with federal agencies seeking records he says could reveal what he has labeled as...
Supreme Court upholds executive authority in immigration cases
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Asylum seekers who arrive at the border are not entitled to entry and the Department of Homeland Security has broad authority over the temporary protected...
DeWine vetoes absentee voter photo ID
By David BeasleyThe Center Square Ohio legislative Republicans have not committed to an override of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a bill requiring voter ID for absentee ballots, but...
U.S. jumping into action to assist Venezuela following massive earthquakes
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. is vowing to assist following two powerful earthquakes that rocked Venezuela Wednesday evening, with thousands of casualties feared. In a Truth Social post,...
Parents warned of YMCA camps’ transgender-inclusive policies for cabins, restrooms
By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square The American Parents Coalition released a “Lookout” notification to parents over the YMCA’s transgender-inclusive camp and programming policies that include allowing males into female cabins...
Chicago’s potential ‘teen takeover’ solutions cost taxpayers
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the trend sometimes referred to as “teen takeovers” continues to trouble the city of Chicago, government...
Congressional proposal aims at ‘loophole’ for ideology policies
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Taxpayer dollars going through “a loophole to promote far-left, radical ideology” needs to stop, says North Carolina’s junior senator as he seeks to codify an...
