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 13
51°
Mostly Clear
Latest News Stories
District 210 Updates Online Course Policy and Increases Summer School Fees
Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education approved an increase in summer school fees and clarified policies regarding online coursework for...
Corporal Ingram completes elite leadership training program
Corporal Kurtis Ingram has successfully completed the School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) at Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety. The SPSC is an intensive 10-week program focused on...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for January 8, 2026
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | January 8, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Executive Committee met on Thursday, January 8, 2026, tackling a heavy agenda that included...
Automatic Sprinklers Contain Industrial Fire in New Lenox
Article Summary: New Lenox firefighters responded to a machinery fire at a facility on Berens Drive early Tuesday afternoon, where the building's fire suppression system prevented the blaze from spreading....
Mokena Firefighters Contain Basement Fire on Revere Circle
Article Summary: Mokena firefighters responded to a residential fire on Revere Circle early Wednesday afternoon, quickly containing the blaze to a single unit without any reported injuries. Mokena Fire Incident...
Pritzker signs Clean Slate Act to automatically seal some criminal convictions
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation to automate the state’s record-sealing process for individuals with certain criminal...
Freight Clusters Drive Push for Overhaul of Wilmington-Peotone Road; County Advances Broader 2050 Plan
Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: Citing the emergence of "new freight clusters," Will County is seeking federal support for a massive study to redesign 22...
Sunny Hill Administrator Defends Private Room Model Amidst Capacity Discussions
Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | January 7, 2026 Article Summary: During the January 7, 2026, meeting, Sunny Hill Nursing Home Administrator Maggie McDowell reported a...
Mokena Fire District to Charge Care Facilities for Lift Assists
Mokena Fire Protection District Meeting | December 9, 2025 Article Summary: The Mokena Fire Protection District Board has approved a new ordinance authorizing fees for lift assist services provided to...
Elite private colleges can’t cap off price-fixing collusion class action
By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal judge in Chicago has refused to end an antitrust class action complaint accusing elite universities of colluding in the financial...
Illinois Quick Hits: GOP gubernatorial forum set for Monday
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – All four Republican gubernatorial candidates are scheduled to participate in a forum in East Dundee on Monday....
Lincoln-Way Board Approves Girls Flag Football for 2026-2027 Season
Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education unanimously approved the addition of girls flag football...
WATCH: Ives investigates tax dollars for NGOs; Republicans say Pritzker raising energy prices
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square's Greg Bishop talks live with Jeanne...
