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.
⚠️ Flood Watch issued June 10 at 6:54PM CDT until June 11 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Wed Jun 10
88° 60°
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Trump issues threat to Iran ahead of deadline to reopen Strait of Hormuz
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump threatened a brutal attack on Iran two days ahead of his deadline for the Islamic Republic to reopen the critical Strait of...
Trump gives Iran 48 hours to reopen Strait of Hormuz
By Dan McCalebThe Center Square President Trump on Saturday gave Iran a 48-hour deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz to oil cargo or "all hell will reign down." "Remember...
One year later, analysts say strategic trade preferred over tariffs
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Analysts and trade experts are calling for the United States to move away from wide-ranging tariffs and embrace strategic trade relationships to counter global adversaries....
Lawmaker criticizes surplus spending bill
By Catrina Baker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposal aimed at helping local governments manage retiree health care costs is drawing differing views...
Student suspended for pro-ICE flyer while NEA spends $1.7M to help anti-ICE protests
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A student at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego was suspended after posting a pro-Immigration and Customs Enforcement flyer reading, “We [heart] ICE –...
Joyride Derails Initial Beecher Fourth of July Raffle Car Bid, Board Approves Backup Vehicle
Village of Beecher Board of Trustees Meeting | March 23, 2026 Article Summary: The Village of Beecher had to pivot on its traditional Fourth of July raffle car purchase after...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Washington Township Board of Trustees for February 2, 2026
Washington Township Board of Trustees Meeting | February 2, 2026 The Washington Township Board of Trustees met on Monday, February 2, 2026, to address multiple local initiatives, including mental health...
Salvation Army rehab ‘enrollees’ who work at thrift stores aren’t ‘employees’
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A few days after agreeing to let them proceed with their class action against one of America's most prominent charities under labor...
Evers vetoes bills to exempt overtime, cash tips from income tax
By Jon StyfThe Center Square Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a pair of bills Friday that would have exempted overtime pay and cash tips from state income taxes. Assembly Bill...
Illinois housing affordability efforts pit tax cuts against new spending
By Sean ReedThe Center Square As homeownership may be growing out of reach for many young residents, Illinois lawmakers are split between trimming taxes and growing state programs. Republicans are...
Report: AAMC’s claims that patients are better treated by doctor of same race debunked
By Tate MillerThe Center Square A new report from medical group Do No Harm debunks claims of the benefits of racial concordance, or the matching of doctors’ and patients’ races,...
Coloradans react to ruling against ban on conversion therapy
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Coloradans have mixed reactions to this week's U.S. Supreme Court ruling against the state's ban on conversion therapy for the LGBTQIA+ community. At issue in...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago city workers owe more than $19M
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago city workers reportedly owe more than $19 million in traffic tickets, water bills and fines, yet...
