October 30, 2025/
WATCH: Debate around which tax to increase; pension enhancements, energy bills advance
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews the ongoing debate at the Illinois Statehouse about which taxes to increase during the final days of fall veto session. Among the proposals are an “amusement tax,” a retail delivery tax and decoupling Illinois tax code from the federal tax code.
Bishop also reviews several measures advancing through the legislature, including a pension reform measure that passed an Illinois House committee and an energy measure focused on renewables that passed the Illinois House. Both chambers are in session for the final day of veto session Thursday.
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 17
75° 58°
Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Spokane police chief ordered officers not to work with FBI after June 11 protest
By Tim ClouserThe Center Square Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall directed officers not to work with the FBI in the days following the June 11 immigration protests, according to records...
Treasury sanctions Russian oil companies, calls for ceasefire
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against two Russian oil companies on Wednesday. The department cited Russia's "lack of serious commitment" to ending the war...
DOJ: Illegal immigrant charged with assault
By Dave MasonThe Center Square An illegal immigrant from Mexico was expected to make his first court appearance Wednesday following an arrest in which he rammed law enforcement vehicles before...
Manufacturing advocate: ‘Follow the actions’ with Pritzker on taxes
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he prefers growing the economy over raising taxes, but a small and midsize...
Illinois quick hits: National Guard restraining order extended; economic growth above trend
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square National Guard restraining order extended Following an agreement between the state of Illinois and the federal government, U.S. District Court Judge...
US and Qatar say EU climate regulations could impact LNG supplies
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Energy is urging the heads of State in the European Union (EU) to repeal or significantly change climate regulations adopted in...
U.S. debt tops $38 trillion for first time
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. national debt reached $38 trillion amid a partial federal government that costs taxpayers $400 million daily to pay furloughed federal workers to stay...
Trump defends tariffs, tells beef producers to lower prices
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Cattle producers called on President Donald Trump to reverse course on a plan to import beef from Argentina as prices for the grocery store staple...
VA secretary pleads with Democrats to end the shutdown
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square As part of a visit to the Washington, D.C., veterans’ medical center Wednesday, Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins publicly urged Democrats in Congress...
WATCH: Pritzker opposes redistricting Illinois mid-cycle as other states move forward
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The prospect of Illinois legislators changing the state’s congressional maps before the 2026 election seems unlikely with...
Record-long govt shutdown threatens food, early childhood education assistance
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Senate Democrats are set to block Republicans’ government funding bill for the 12th time Wednesday, keeping the federal government shut down despite tens of millions...
Sen. Scott Wiener announces he’s running for Pelosi’s seat
By Dave MasonThe Center Square State Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat and vocal opponent of the Trump administration, announced Wednesday he’s running for U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s seat....
Cities sue Trump administration for tying funds to DEI
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Denver has joined a coalition suing the Trump administration over funds it says have been "illegally" withheld. Joined on the lawsuit by other Democrat-run cities...
Federal shutdown sidelines 34,000 workers in Colorado
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As the federal government enters its fourth week of a shutdown, an estimated 34,000 Coloradans are currently on furlough from their federal jobs. That's according...
Poll: Majority of Americans favor voter ID requirement, split on mail-in voting ban
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square President Donald Trump’s plans to “restore election integrity” and prevent voter fraud include banning mail-in voting and requiring that voters present identification at the polls....