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.
Sun Jun 14
73° 55°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
WATCH: Sides lay out positions on immigration reform amid increased enforcement
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Amidst continued immigration enforcement efforts under the Trump administration in Chicago, the debate about immigration reform continues....
Feds, ‘new sheriff’ descend on Chicago suburb, seize illegal vaping items
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Federal authorities say they are just getting started after announcing in Illinois that they have seized millions...
WATCH: Reaction to Charlie Kirk’s assassination pour in; Freedom Caucus discusses 2026
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 some of...
Illinois quick hits: Freedom Caucus remembers Kirk; new chief judge for Cook County
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Freedom Caucus remembers Kirk The Illinois Freedom Caucus says members are “devastated and horrified” by the murder of conservative radio and...
Dennis Eugene Redman, 81
Dennis Eugene Redman, 81, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025, with his family by his side. He was born on September 21, 1943, to Victor Pearl Redman and Hazel...
Leeila S. Ennis, 78
Leeila S. Ennis, 78, of Westfield, Illinois, passed away surrounded by family and friends in her home at 1:00 p.m. on September 8, 2025. She was born on February 8,...
Illinois quick hits: DOJ seizes illegal vaping products in Bensenville; NFIB optimism index rises
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DOJ seizes illegal vaping products in Bensenville A major raid in a Chicago suburb has led to the seizure of hundreds...
Customs and Border Protection seizes $86.5 million in illegal vapes
By Brett Rowland | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the seizure Wednesday of 4.7 million illegal e-cigarette products with an...
WATCH: Pritzker says political violence ‘has got to stop’ in reaction to Kirk shooting
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Popular political activist and Illinois native Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday while at a public...
IL Secretary of State candidate talks issues, Giannoulias yet to announce
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has yet to announce plans for reelection in 2026, an...
Brian Keith Ridgley, 64
Brian Keith Ridgley, 64, of Casey, Illinois, passed away at 6:39 a.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Gibson Family Center for Hospice Care, Terre Haute, Indiana. He was born...
Roberta May Decker, 91
Roberta May Decker, 91, of Casey, Illinois, passed away at 7:07 a.m. on Friday, August 29, 2025, at her home. She was born on June 25, 1934, the daughter of...
James Alan “Jim” Brewer, 65
James Alan "Jim" Brewer, 65, of Casey, Illinois, passed away at 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Heartland Nursing and Rehabilitation, Casey, Illinois. He was born November 20,...
