January 15, 2026/
WATCH: Tax increase talk at Statehouse; Bost’s election lawsuit against Illinois wins standing
(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.
⚠️ Wind Advisory issued June 16 at 12:28PM CDT until June 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Tue Jun 16
85° 68°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Senior Homecoming Attendents
Kayla Clark & Nolan Clement Kayla is the daughter of Jodi & Josh Clark; Nolan is the son of Becky & Doug Clement Julia Eckerty & Kellen Sullivan Julia is...
Junior Homecoming Attendents
Anna Karras & Will Moore Anna is the daughter of Robin & Tony Karras; Will is the son of Helen & Tyler Moore Aubrey Meyer & Drake Worby Aubrey is...
Sophomore Homecoming Attendents
Gyllyane Gilbert & Jett Self Gyllyane is the daughter of Caryn Gilbert & Nick Gilbert; Jett is the son of Tawnya & Steve Self Claire Kusterman & Weston Hupp Claire...
Freshman Homecoming Attendents
Rylee Erickson & Otto Cox Rylee is the daughter of Laci & Chad Erickson; Otto is the son of Tara & Andy Cox Allie Goble & Owen Ramsey Allie is...
WATCH: State police prepares ICE protest zones; energy policy debate continues
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the latest...
AI chatbots a child safety risk, parental groups report
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square ParentsTogether Action and Heat Initiative, following a joint investigation, report that Character AI chatbots display inappropriate behavior, including allegations of grooming and sexual exploitation. This...
WATCH: California officials seek early voting on Prop. 50
By Dave MasonThe Center Square California officials Thursday urged voters to vote early in the Nov. 4 special election that will determine whether and how the state draws new congressional...
Illinois quick hits: Transit cliff revision criticized; Pike County shooting investigation
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Transit cliff revision criticized With the transit fiscal cliff expected to be revised to approximately $300 million, labor and environmental groups...
Pritzker open to spending on Bears infrastructure, concerns remain about debt
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is open to state funding of infrastructure for a proposed Chicago Bears...
IL legislators weigh energy policy some say will increase costs
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ energy landscape continues to evolve as the state works to usher in industries that draw a...
NFIB says economy growing, but jobs lagging
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The National Federation of Independent Business released it's job report Thursday afternoon noting that the federal jobs report expected Friday will likely be delayed by...
‘I don’t have anything to negotiate:’ Johnson holds firm on GOP shutdown strategy
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the government shutdown enters its second day, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defended Republican leaders’ refusal to concede to Democrats’ health care policy demands...
Analyst points to inefficiencies as Pritzker touts record spending on infrastructure
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the biggest infrastructure spending plan in state history, a transportation policy director...
