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.
Community Events
MondayDecember 1, 2025
TuesdayDecember 2, 2025
WednesdayDecember 3, 2025
Latest News Stories
Mokena’s Main Park Playground Nominated for Statewide ‘Playground of the Year’ Award
Mokena Community Park District Meeting | September 23, 2025 Article Summary: The Mokena Community Park District’s recently renovated, all-inclusive playground at Main Park has been nominated for a statewide "Playground...
26 states participate in federal SAVE program to ensure only US citizens are voting
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In less than a few months, 26 states have begun working with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to ensure only U.S. citizens are voting...
Key races across U.S., redistricting at stake as voters head to polls Tuesday
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Governor’s races, city mayoral campaigns and redistricting initiatives will bring voters to the polls on Tuesday for a consequential off-year Election Day. Elections in California,...
Mokena Village Board Approves Two Public Works Appointments
Village of Mokena Board of Trustees Meeting | October 13, 2025 Article Summary: The Village of Mokena has filled two key roles in its Public Works Department following board approval...
Nigeria leaders deny Christian genocide, UN attributes violence to ‘climate change’
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Nigerian leaders continue to deny that Christian genocide has been occurring for years as the United Nation has attributed the violence to “climate change.” Over...
Congressional Perks: House members, staff get daycare, on-call doctor
By Arthur KaneThe Center Square Job perks like an on-call doctor, on-site daycare and millions of dollars for food, beverages and bottled water sound like something offered to employees of...
California leaders hope for high voter turnout for Prop. 50
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square With only one day to go in California before Election Day, legislators expect to see a relatively high voter turnout for the Golden State’s congressional...
Voters to decide two statewide measures, nearly 100 local proposals
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As Colorado voters prepare for Election Day, they will vote on two statewide ballot measures and nearly 100 local measures across 30 counties. Those measures...
WATCH: Coalition sues to protect student loan forgiveness
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic attorney generals from 22 jurisdictions sued the U.S. Department of Education Monday over its new rule limiting Public Student Loan Forgiveness for government and...
Judge: SCOTUS ruling doesn’t necessarily end block on Trump DEI orders
By Jonathan Bilyk Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Chicago federal judge has declined to pare back his order blocking the Trump administration from cutting off federal funds to groups that...
WATCH: California attorney general talks about Prop. 50
By Dave MasonThe Center Square California has nothing to hide. That’s Attorney General Rob Bonta’s response to The Center Square’s question about the U.S. Department of Justice assigning monitors to...
Illinois quick hits: Man charged with threatening Trump; judge grants injunction in shelter funding case
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Man charged with threatening Trump For the second time in less than a week, a person from Illinois has been charged...
WATCH: IL GOP Rep: Sanctuary expansion bill may expose many to civil lawsuits
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House and Senate leaders are touting legislation they say will protect people from federal immigration enforcement,...
