WATCH: IL lawmakers pass consequential bills early Halloween
October 31, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop powers through on little sleep with a roundup of legislative activity at the Illinois State Capitol that stretched into the early morning hours Friday. Measures approved include an energy policy bill, a tax increase to fund mass transit and enhancements to the state’s migrant sanctuary policies.
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.
⚠️ Special Weather Statement issued June 4 at 4:25AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 3
87° 66°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Illinois lawmakers give raises to diversity commissioners they criticized
By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- State lawmakers failed to reform the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion this legislative session despite bipartisan...
Taxpayer risk cited after Bears stadium bill stalls
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Bears stadium legislation is stalled after questions arose about a potentially unpopular tax structure and financial...
Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly approves CTE bill
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bill offering career technical education classes as an alternative to Illinois’ foreign language mandate is headed...
Amended scooter, e-bike bill heads to governor
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has passed a bill to regulate e-bikes, scooters and other micromobility devices, but...
Property tax-free Bears deal fails to pass
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois legislative session has ended with no stadium deal for the Chicago Bears. House Bill 958...
Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student’s alleged killer charged with new felony
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Late Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman’s alleged killer has been charged with possessing a 6-inch shank in...
$55.9 billion budget includes new taxes, ‘no property tax relief’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has voted to approve a record-high budget for fiscal year 2027, with new...
Illinois to require bell-to-bell student phone ban in public schools
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Legislation to ban the use of cell phones by students from bell-to-bell officially passed both chambers in...
Illinois Quick Hits: Housing, megaprojects take backseat to budget talks
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Top Democrat leaders in the Illinois legislature met with Gov. J.B. Pritzker late Friday behind closed doors...
Taxpayer watchdog calls for accountability after helicopter prom controversy
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A taxpayer watchdog is calling for a potential criminal investigation after allegations surfaced that a suburban...
District 210 Transportation Update Details Fuel Swings, New Bus Safety Technology
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 Article Summary: Lincoln-Way District 210 Transportation Director Andy Rezer told the board on Thursday, May 21, 2026, that fuel...
Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment numbers rise; Champaign job growth continues
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security,...
Lincoln-Way 210 Reports Lowest High School Tax Rate in the Area
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 Article Summary: Superintendent Dr. Scott Tingley told the Lincoln-Way District 210 board on Thursday, May 21, 2026, that the...