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 14
76° 55°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Land Use Committee: Monee Solar Projects Granted Extensions; Battery Storage Plans Dropped
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee granted time extensions for two separate solar farm projects...
P&Z Commission: New Women’s Recovery Center Proposed for Patterson Road Receives Support
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval for a new inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility...
Main Park Playground Nominated for National “Playground of the Year”
Mokena Community Park District Board Meeting | October 2025 Article Summary: Executive Director Greg Vitale announced that the newly renovated Main Park playground has been nominated for a prestigious industry...
Ogalla Blasts New State Solar Legislation
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: During a discussion on zoning matters, Will County Board Member Judy Ogalla strongly criticized the passage of...
Committee Postpones Vote on Brandon Road Fill Operation After Tree Clearing Allegations
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee voted to postpone a decision on a proposed clean...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for December 2, 2025
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 2, 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Planning and Zoning Commission met on December 2, 2025, to consider a variety of...
Metra Announces No Fare Hikes; Highlights Bridge Projects in Joliet and Mokena
Will County Committee of the Whole Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: Metra officials presented a balanced 2026 budget to the Will County Board, confirming that riders will not see...
Public Works Committee: Will County Consolidates Paratransit Services Amid Funding Debates
Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board’s Public Works Committee advanced an agreement to consolidate paratransit services into a single countywide...
Park Board Pivots to Van Purchase Following Bus Price Increases
Mokena Community Park District Board Meeting | October 2025 Article Summary: Facing high costs for a new bus, the Park Board voted to purchase two passenger vans instead, a move...
P&Z Commission: Peotone Area Variances Forwarded for Garage and Pole Barn
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved variance requests for two properties in Peotone Township, allowing...
Peotone License Plate Camera Renewal Sparks Privacy Debate in Public Works Committee
Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: A renewal of an agreement allowing license plate reading (LPR) cameras in Peotone passed the Public Works Committee,...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Mokena Community Public Library District Board for October 28, 2025
Mokena Community Public Library District Board Meeting | October 28, 2025 The Mokena Community Public Library District Board met on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, to handle fiscal planning and administrative...
Par District Explores Expanded Fireworks Show for USA’s 250th Anniversary
Mokena Community Park District Board Meeting | October 2025 Article Summary: Park commissioners reviewed a proposal to significantly enhance the 2026 Independence Day fireworks display to celebrate the nation's semiquincentennial....
