WATCH: Debate around which tax to increase; pension enhancements, energy bills advance
October 30, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews the ongoing debate at the Illinois Statehouse about which taxes to increase during the final days of fall veto session. Among the proposals are an “amusement tax,” a retail delivery tax and decoupling Illinois tax code from the federal tax code.
Bishop also reviews several measures advancing through the legislature, including a pension reform measure that passed an Illinois House committee and an energy measure focused on renewables that passed the Illinois House. Both chambers are in session for the final day of veto session Thursday.
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.
Latest News Stories
HHS, Department of Education announce nutrition reforms
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with the U.S. Department of Education, announced this week an initiative urging medical education organizations to...
White House appoints interim CDC director; standoff continues with former director
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The White House has appointed Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill as interim director for the Centers for Disease Control and...
WATCH: Pritzker claims Trump plans election interference with troop deployment
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump only wants troops on the ground to interfere in...
Plaintiffs take Cook County gun ban challenge to SCOTUS
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Plaintiffs challenging Cook County’s ban on semi-automatic firearms are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take the...
Illinois quick hits: $1.57B return on investments; solar-powered manufacturer cuts ribbon
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square $1.57B return on investments Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs says his office made a record $1.57 billion in investment earnings from the...
Report: Illinois U.S. Rep faces minimal penalty after disclosure violations
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a new report, Illinois U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson has violated federal law by making late...
18 were injured, 2 killed in Minneapolis shooting
By Jon StyfThe Center Square A total of 18 victims were injured and two were killed in a Wednesday shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, a total reached after...
Trump HHS tells states to remove gender ideology from sex ed or lose PREP funding
By Tate MillerThe Center Square The Trump administration directed 46 states and territories to remove gender ideology from their sex ed materials or else face possible termination of federal Personal...
‘Pro-taxpayer’ law requires operators to clean up abandoned Illinois oil wells
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A state lawmaker says recently-signed legislation will ensure that Illinois taxpayers don’t foot the bill for cleaning...
Watch: Cook County gun ban plaintiffs petition SCOTUS; Pritzker hasn’t heard from White House
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop gets to the...
Illinois quick hits: Man on pretrial release accused of murder; holiday weekend impaired driving patrols
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Man on pretrial release accused of murder After reportedly violating curfew dozens of times while wearing an ankle monitor, a man...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Township Board for July 14, 2025
The Frankfort Township Board on Monday, July 14, 2025, primarily focused on zoning matters, unanimously denying special use permits for two businesses, Dimitri Best Food and Kismet Restaurant, that sought...
Illinois quick hits: Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS; man sentenced for COVID fraud
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS The Second Amendment Foundation is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take a challenge to Cook...
