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
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Legislative Committee for January 6, 2026
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Legislative Committee met on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, to finalize the county’s state and...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Capital Improvements & IT Committee for January 6, 2026
Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Capital Improvements and IT Committee met on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, to discuss facility...
Public Works Committee: $18.8 Million Contract Awarded for Lorenzo Road Bridge Over BNSF Railway
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: A contract for nearly $18.9 million was confirmed for the construction of a new bridge carrying...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee for January 7, 2026
Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | January 7, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Public Health and Safety Committee met on Wednesday, January 7, 2026,...
Executive Committee: Relaxes Rules for Retiring Employee Proclamations
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | January 8, 2026 Article Summary: The Executive Committee voted to amend county board rules to allow proclamations honoring retiring county employees to pass...
Lobbyist Updates: State Session Resumes; Transit Safety Concerns Raised
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: State lobbyists briefed the Will County Legislative Committee on the upcoming General Assembly session, noting a likely focus...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Mokena Village Board for December 8, 2025
Mokena Village Board Meeting | December 8, 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Mokena Village Board of Trustees met on Monday, December 8, 2025, to address personnel changes, infrastructure oversight, and year-end...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for January 6, 2026
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Finance Committee met on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, to handle a light agenda of routine...
Capital Imp Committee: Facilities Director Reports on VAC Progress and Critical Health Department Elevator Repairs
Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary:Facilities Director Bill Fern provided updates on major renovation projects, including the completion of the Court Annex and the...
‘Good Food For All’ Initiative Proposes Local Agricultural Asset Mapping for Will County
Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | January 7, 2026 Article Summary: Bob Heuer of HNA Networks presented a "Good Food For All" initiative to the Public...
Public Works Committee Advances $3.2 Million Engineering Contract for Mills Road Reconstruction
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The committee forwarded a resolution to award a $3.2 million contract to HDR Engineering, Inc. for...
Board Members Debate “Commitment to Truth” in Media Resolution
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: A proposal to demand the reinstatement of the "Fairness Doctrine" for news media sparked a philosophical debate on...
Executive Committee: Speaker VanDuyne and Member Butler Clash Over Removal of Committee Chair
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | January 8, 2026 Article Summary: A heated exchange erupted during the January 8 Executive Committee meeting when Member Daniel Butler challenged Speaker Joe...
