October 28, 2025/
WATCH: Primary election petitions filed; redistricting consideration for veto session
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop highlights some of the candidates that filed for ballot access for the March Democrat and Republican primary elections, including Darren Bailey Lt. Governor candidate Aaron Del Mar sharing the status of the Bailey family following last week’s tragic loss of members of the Bailey family.
Bishop also previews what could come from the start of fall veto session beginning Tuesday. Legislators could tackle energy legislation, increased taxes for the mass transit fiscal cliff and the possibility of redistricting Illinois congressional maps ahead of the 2026 election.
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 11
82° 61°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Illinois lawmakers give raises to diversity commissioners they criticized
By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- State lawmakers failed to reform the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion this legislative session despite bipartisan...
Report: Credit card debt projected to decrease $61B
By Christine JohnsonThe Center Square It is predicted that there will be a $61 billion decrease in credit card debt based on new data set to be released on Friday...
Taxpayer risk cited after Bears stadium bill stalls
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Bears stadium legislation is stalled after questions arose about a potentially unpopular tax structure and financial...
Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly approves CTE bill
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bill offering career technical education classes as an alternative to Illinois’ foreign language mandate is headed...
Amended scooter, e-bike bill heads to governor
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has passed a bill to regulate e-bikes, scooters and other micromobility devices, but...
Property tax-free Bears deal fails to pass
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois legislative session has ended with no stadium deal for the Chicago Bears. House Bill 958...
Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student’s alleged killer charged with new felony
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Late Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman’s alleged killer has been charged with possessing a 6-inch shank in...
$55.9 billion budget includes new taxes, ‘no property tax relief’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has voted to approve a record-high budget for fiscal year 2027, with new...
Illinois to require bell-to-bell student phone ban in public schools
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Legislation to ban the use of cell phones by students from bell-to-bell officially passed both chambers in...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey City Council for May 18, 2026
Casey City Council Meeting | May 18, 2026 The Casey City Council moved through a substantial agenda on Monday, May 18, 2026, with its most consequential action being the approval...
Illinois Quick Hits: Housing, megaprojects take backseat to budget talks
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Top Democrat leaders in the Illinois legislature met with Gov. J.B. Pritzker late Friday behind closed doors...
Taxpayer watchdog calls for accountability after helicopter prom controversy
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A taxpayer watchdog is calling for a potential criminal investigation after allegations surfaced that a suburban...
Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment numbers rise; Champaign job growth continues
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security,...
