Illinois quick hits: Former governor proposes millionaire's surcharge; digital state ID launched

Illinois quick hits: Former governor proposes millionaire’s surcharge; digital state ID launched

November 18, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Former governor proposes millionaire’s surcharge

Former Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing for a state constitutional amendment requiring Illinois millionaires to pay a 3% surcharge on their income tax returns.

The former governor said the millionaire’s tax would go to support a $4.5 billion property tax relief fund.

Quinn launched the campaign Tuesday outside the Cook County Treasurer’s Office in Chicago.

Digital state ID launched

Starting Wednesday, Illinois residents can add their Illinois-issued driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet and present their ID using their iPhone and Apple Watch.

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said, for now, Illinois residents must continue to carry their physical ID.

Illinois joins 12 other states and the territory of Puerto Rico by offering driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet.

Money laundering charges

The founder of a Chicago cryptocurrency company has been indicted in an alleged $10 million money laundering conspiracy.

Prosecutors say Crypto Dispensers CEO Firas Isa, 36, of Frankfort, Illinois and his company, Virtual Assets, have both pleaded not guilty.

According to the indictment, Isa’s company operated a cash-to-cryptocurrency exchange business with crypto ATMs at various locations throughout the United States.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Fitzpatrick says pro-union bill dealing with contracts will pass U.S. House

Fitzpatrick says pro-union bill dealing with contracts will pass U.S. House

By John ColeThe Center Square During a speech to the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters Convention in Hershey last week, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District, guaranteed its members that a...
Feds investigate LA schools for sexual misconduct allegations

Feds investigate LA schools for sexual misconduct allegations

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education has opened a Title IX investigation into the Los Angeles Unified School District over sexual misconduct allegations. The department contends...
Advocates criticize bipartisan housing bill

Advocates criticize bipartisan housing bill

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Advocates warned the U.S. Senate’s bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act could create affordability concerns, and reduce competition in the marketplace. In March, the U.S. Senate...
Johnson, municipal leaders statewide clash with Pritzker over local funding cuts

Johnson, municipal leaders statewide clash with Pritzker over local funding cuts

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Mayors and municipalities across Illinois have called on Gov. JB Pritzker to reverse course on local government...

WATCH: Report: Washington high schools rank near bottom in personal finance literacy

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A new report finds Washington state ranks near the bottom in the nation when it comes to financial literacy education for high school students. WalletHub...
Citizen Voting Amendment may avoid partisan SAVE Act pitfalls

Citizen Voting Amendment may avoid partisan SAVE Act pitfalls

By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Despite public support and majorities in both houses, Republicans have been unable to pass the SAVE Act because of Democratic objections in...
Democrats 'Red to Blue' targets 18 seats in 12 states in November

Democrats ‘Red to Blue’ targets 18 seats in 12 states in November

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is targeting multiple seats in Congress to take back the Democratic majority in November. Its “2026 Red to Blue”...
Illinois bill would force employers to pay employees regular wages for jury duty

Illinois bill would force employers to pay employees regular wages for jury duty

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate is considering legislation that would force employers to pay employees regular wages while they...
VA suicide screening doubles after watchdog found mass failures

VA suicide screening doubles after watchdog found mass failures

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has improved suicide risk screening and follow-up care among veterans in its system after a December 2024 federal watchdog...
Trump says Iran agrees to no nuclear weapon, claims deal is close

Trump says Iran agrees to no nuclear weapon, claims deal is close

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A breakthrough deal may be on the horizon between the U.S. and Iran, according to President Donald Trump. During a Wednesday afternoon news conference in...
Beecher Baseball Bobcats

Late-Inning Surge and Dominant Relief Lift Beecher Past Bloom 12-5

The Beecher varsity baseball team secured a 12-5 non-conference road victory over Bloom on Tuesday afternoon, using a combination of late-inning offensive fireworks and a lights-out relief performance by Chasten...
Democrats call on Lutnick to resign over Epstein ties

Democrats call on Lutnick to resign over Epstein ties

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Democrats in Congress on Wednesday renewed calls for U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to resign after testifying about his ties to convicted sex offender...
Beecher Softball ladycats

Norkus Strikes Out 16 in One-Hit Masterpiece as Beecher Downs Donovan 10-1

The Beecher varsity softball team rode a dominant pitching performance by senior Taylor Norkus to a commanding 10-1 home conference victory over Donovan on Tuesday. Norkus was nearly untouchable in...
Beecher Softball ladycats

Carmela Irwin Throws One-Hitter as Beecher Offense Erupts in 18-1 Rout of Donovan

The Beecher varsity softball team unleashed a relentless offensive assault on Tuesday, capitalizing on Donovan’s defensive miscues to roll to a decisive 18-1 home conference victory in a four-inning, run-rule...
Texas congressional delegation calls for federal investigation into H-1B visa fraud

Texas congressional delegation calls for federal investigation into H-1B visa fraud

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-TX, and her north Texas colleagues have called for a federal investigation into alleged H-1B visa fraud occurring in counties...