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.
Today Jun 12
83° 61°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Independent tax tribunal faces elimination by Pritzker budget proposal
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The chief judge of the Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal says it will be bad for taxpayers if...
Illinois Quick Hits: Civic federation funds ‘persistent structural imbalance’ in Illinois
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Civic Federation report has identified a persistent structural imbalance in the Illinois budget, with expenditures...
Lincoln-Way Schools Join “WillBeReady” Mutual Aid Network for Disaster Response
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Board of Education approved a Memorandum of Understanding to join the "WillBeReady" Mutual Aid Network,...
Millions Approved for Will County Highway and Road Infrastructure Projects
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board authorized nearly $4.3 million in road improvement contracts, targeting key corridors including Francis Road, Renwick Road,...
Illinoisans may soon need registration, title, license to use e-bikes, scooters
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinoisans may soon be required to register their e-bikes, motorized scooters and other various modes of transport...
Pritzker’s commission report pushes for local investigations of federal ‘brutality’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Illinois Accountability Commission has released its report on alleged abuses by federal immigration law...
Illinois mulls change allowing pension investment in anti-Israel companies
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Multiple speakers shared personal stories Thursday from the conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinians in an effort...
Board Establishes New Regulations and Fees for Wireless Telecommunication Facilities
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: In response to the state's Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, the Will County Board passed Ordinance 26-134 to manage the...
Lincoln-Way Central Auxiliary Field to Get $463,875 Artificial Turf Upgrade
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education approved the purchase of artificial turf from FieldTurf USA for $463,875.62, which will...
Historic Joseph Perry House in Crete Granted Landmark Status
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board officially designated the Joseph Ferris Perry House in Crete Township as a historical landmark, protecting the...
State House OKs access to abortion medication at colleges
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Colorado House on Monday approved a bill allowing for the access of abortion medication on college campuses. House Bill 1335 is sponsored by Reps....
Nonprofit hospitals called out for prioritizing politics over patients
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Consumer protection organization Consumers’ Research launched a campaign to warn Congress about nonprofit hospitals that prioritize "woke" politics such as diversity, equity and inclusion, transgender...
Americans back birthright citizenship 2-to-1, poll finds
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A majority of U.S. adults say children born in the country should automatically get citizenship, according to a new poll published as the U.S. Supreme...
