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
Camp Mystic suspends summer operation 2 days after Texas lawmakers’ demands
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Camp Mystic owners have agreed to suspend camp operations this summer after being called to do so by state lawmakers and parents whose daughters were...
Six Democrats seeking 13th Congressional District post
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Six candidates are competing for the Democratic nomination in Georgia's 13th Congressional District. Incumbent David Scott died on April 22. Scott served in Congress for...
DHS shutdown ends after 76 days
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After weeks of delay, the U.S. House on Thursday approved the Senate’s legislation reopening the Department of Homeland Security. President Donald Trump signed the legislation...
Farm bill passes U.S. House, heads to Senate for approval
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 passed the U.S. House Thursday in a 224-200 vote, a hopeful sign for America’s agricultural industry...
Alleged WHCD shooter to remain in federal custody until trial
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The accused shooter at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday will remain in federal custody while awaiting a trial, a judge said on...
DeSantis: Ruling vindicates Florida redrawing congressional maps
By David BeasleyThe Center Square A U.S. Supreme Court ruling Wednesday “compelled” Florida to redraw congressional districts, second-term Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday a day after the Legislature approved...
Congress advances bills targeting $186 billion payment problem
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Congress moved this week on both sides of the Capitol to address a problem that has persisted for decades after a new report found federal...
Beasley Allen booted from looming talc trial in Chicago
By John O’Brien | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Judges in Miami and Chicago have revoked permission that allowed the firm Beasley Allen to pursue talc lawsuits because it collaborated with...
Ten candidates vying for Georgia’s 11th District post
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Ten candidates are running to fill the seat vacated by Georgia U.S. Congressman Barry Loudermilk, who announced he was not running for reelection. Republicans John...
New Jersey sued over ICE mask ban
By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Trump administration is taking New Jersey Gov. Mikkie Sherrill to federal court over newly signed legislation banning ICE agents from wearing masks during immigration...
Illinois Quick Hits: Gas prices rise again
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois has jumped 14 cents in one...
Massive drug busts in California, Texas, enough to kill more than 32.7 million people
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Massive drug busts are continuing along the southwest border primarily in California and Texas. In roughly a dozen stops this month federal agents seized enough...
Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern submit new merger application
By Dan McCaleb and Tom JoyceThe Center Square Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern on Thursday submitted a new merger application to the U.S. Surface Transportation Board that would create the...
