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.
Tue Jun 9
91° 72°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
DEA warns fentanyl mixtures overwhelming overdose reversal drug
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration warned Americans Tuesday that fentanyl is increasingly mixed with a dangerous array of synthetic substances that can limit the effectiveness...
Cook County must pay for taking homes over unpaid property tax: Judge
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Cook County could be on the hook for at least tens of millions of dollars, if not more than $100 million, to...
Chicago aldermen consider $54.7M tax break for United Center project
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council may consider a $54.7 million property tax break for owners of the Chicago...
Farmers call for fertilizer price transparency, domestic growth
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Farmers and advocates on Tuesday called on Congress to implement transparency reporting requirements in fertilizer pricing. The U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee held...
Major nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown, more than 80 firearms seized
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Trump administration continues to crack down on violent Tren de Aragua Venezuelan prison gang members after they flooded the country during the Biden administration....
Illinois Quick Hits: State taxpayers to cover student loan debt for civil engineers
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that the state will pay $15,000 of eligible student loan...
Beecher Baseball Rallies Past Chicago University, 5-3
BEECHER, IL – The Beecher varsity baseball team utilized a balanced offensive attack and strong work on the mound to secure a 5-3 victory over Chicago University in Monday’s non-conference matchup....
Beecher Edges Providence Catholic in Pitcher’s Duel
NEW LENOX, IL – In a classic defensive struggle that required extra innings to settle, the Providence Catholic varsity softball team fell to Beecher 2-1 on Monday. The game was defined...
Fitzpatrick, Houlahan, Kelly, Smucker back bipartisan immigration reform bill
By John ColeThe Center Square A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania lawmakers has signed on to an immigration reform proposal that is dividing House Republicans. U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District;...
Lawmakers grill Hegseth on Iran conflict, $1.5T budget request
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the U.S.-Iran conflict continues with no end in sight, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth dodged questions from U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the...
Trump confirms Makary out at FDA
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday that Marty Makary would be leaving his post atop the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. While speaking to reporters...
Trump confirms Makary out at FDA
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday that Marty Makary would be leaving his post atop the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. While speaking to reporters...
Trump to ‘be thinking’ about red line in Iran ceasefire
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump said he will "be thinking" about a potential red line in the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran as he departed to...
