WATCH: Tax increase talk at Statehouse; Bost’s election lawsuit against Illinois wins standing
January 15, 2026/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square’s Greg Bishop discusses the status of Illinois’ budget, and shares comments from Gov. J.B. Pritzker about the impacts to state spending if federal taxpayer funds are frozen. Legislators discuss the prospect of tax increases with a proposal being floated to have a surcharge on millionaires.
Bishop also discusses the status of mail-in voting in Illinois. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Illinois Congressman Mike Bost has standing to sue the Illinois State Board of Elections over the state’s policy of counting mail-in ballots up to two weeks after election day.
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 10
84° 59°
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Trump orders new mediation for New York rail contract dispute
By Chris Wade contributionThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered new mediation for stalled contract talks between New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority and union leaders in a last-ditch...
U.S. House passes two more govt funding bills, sending to Senate
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square In a bipartisan vote Wednesday, the U.S. House passed a minibus containing two more full-year federal funding bills, sending the package to the Senate for...
Governors seek delay on sharing cost of food stamp errors
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square State and local officials are asking Congress for a delay on sharing the cost of errors in the federal food assistance program, but said they...
Supreme Court ruling allows Bost to challenge Illinois election law
By Catrina Baker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A U.S. Supreme Court ruling clears the way for U.S. Rep. Mike Bost to challenge Illinois’...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois auto insurance rates dropping
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois auto insurance rates dropping A new report says Illinois auto insurers are lowering premiums by 4.26% in 2026 while providers...
SCOTUS rules on warrantless searches, double convictions and election suits
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court decided three cases Wednesday about political candidates' standing to sue, warrantless searches, and double convictions. The justices marked Jan. 14 as...
WATCH: WA Democrats criticize reporter probes into potential daycare fraud
By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Washington state Democratic leaders responded fiercely to the notion of journalists looking into possible fraud regarding Washington state daycares that receive taxpayer funds. The issue...
Title IX central to transgender sports cases, advocates say
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in two cases on transgender athletes participating in girls' and women’s sports. Advocates for state laws banning transgender participation...
WATCH: Legislator raises red flag over Illinois tax funds for group encouraging ICE protests
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois legislator is raising concerns about state taxpayer funds going to an organization he says is...
Bill filed to address loss of homes, equity over property tax debt
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Democratic state lawmaker has filed a bill to address the Illinois practice of county governments seizing...
Arizona senator optimistic after U.S. Supreme Court debate
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen was at the U.S. Supreme Court when oral arguments were heard on whether transgender athletes may participate in girls' and...
Documentary shows cost of personal injury lawsuit abuse
By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A new documentary aims to shine a light on what happens when American citizens are victimized by the personal injury lawsuit system....
Illinois congresswoman files impeachment articles against Noem
By Catrina BakerThe Center Square Politicians around the country are backing calls to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, as Congresswoman Robin Kelly announced she filed articles of impeachment over...
