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 9
88° 70°
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for November 13, 2025
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | November 13, 2025 The Will County Board’s Executive Committee met on Thursday, November 13, 2025, with its agenda dominated by a lengthy series...
SCOTUS issues stay in Texas redistricting case
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court requesting it to stay a federal district court ruling in a...
Marjorie Taylor Greene leaving Congress in January
By Kim JarrettThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said Friday evening she is resigning from Congress effective Jan. 5, 2026, citing personal attacks by President Donald Trump behind...
WATCH: Trump, Mamdani meeting cordial with leaders finding common ground
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After pelting each other with political insults over the course of several months, President Donald Trump and New York’s Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani appeared to have...
Study: K-12 public spending nears $1 trillion in U.S.
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square School districts across the country have significantly increased spending since 2020, even as they face steep declines in student enrollment and academic performance, according to...
WATCH: Power grid regulator says PNW in ‘crosshairs’ for potential winter blackouts
By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The Pacific Northwest could be facing a challenging winter ahead when it comes to the demand for power and potential blackouts. The North American Electric...
Pritzker suggests he’s open to tweaking SAFE-T Act after train passenger fire
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is suggesting he would be open to amending the state’s SAFE-T Act after...
Arizona attorney general to appeal ‘fake electors’ ruling
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Friday she will appeal a ruling in the “fake electors” case. She is asking the Arizona Supreme Court to...
Illinois quick hits: Small business grants announced; new Naperville DMV
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Small business grants announced Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have announced nearly $10 million...
Clintons ordered to testify on connections to Jeffrey Epstein in December
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A powerful House committee is threatening to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress if the...
CBO says foreign companies could pick up some tariff costs
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Congressional Budget Office slashed its tariff revenue forecast to reflect new data on the highest import duties the U.S. has seen in nearly a...
Guidelines issued on how taxpayers can claim deductions on tips, overtime in 2025
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Millions of Americans who work overtime shifts or receive tips will be eligible to claim new deductions on their 2025 tax returns, the Trump administration...
GOP attorneys general back rail merger, splitting Republicans on deal
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Attorneys general in three states are asking federal regulators to approve the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. Their letter comes one week...
