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 10
91° 63°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Trump weighs buying Chagos Islands to secure base
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Trump administration is considering buying the Chagos Islands in the central Indian Ocean from Mauritius, but the cost of such a deal is unclear...
Correctional center’s planned relocation draws mixed reactions
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Local officials are not happy about the Illinois Department of Corrections’ decision to relocate Logan Correctional Center...
Raman edges ahead of Pratt in Los Angeles mayoral race
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Election results for Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt became uncertain Sunday evening after City Councilmember Nithya Raman edged past him. Mayor Karen Bass remained...
Illinois to ban automated ticket scalping, reselling ‘ghost tickets’
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bipartisan effort to protect eventgoers from fraudulent tickets and online ticket scams made its way through...
Dozens of U.S. lawmakers demand privacy reforms as FISA deadline looms
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Congressional leaders are desperate to renew the federal government’s authority to conduct mass electronic surveillance before the authority expires, but dozens of lawmakers in both...
Illinois Quick Hits: IDOR announces remote retailer amnesty dates
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Revenue says the state’s remote retailer tax amnesty program will be available from...
Federal judge blocks Trump’s 100K visa fee
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A federal judge in Massachusetts on Monday blocked President Donald Trump's policy seeking to implement a $100,000 fee on visas for highly skilled foreign workers....
U.S. House report: Minnesota officials failed to stop fraud
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A new U.S. House oversight report alleges Minnesota officials were aware of "rampant" fraud risks in taxpayer-funded social programs for years but failed to act,...
Senator says disability service workers’ raise falls short
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator says wages for direct support professionals who provide services for people with developmental...
Illinois Quick Hits: Cyber attack shuts down Evanston High School
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Evanston Township High School officials say they are cooperating with the FBI after a ransomware attack on...
DC schools use sex ed curriculum that avoids using ‘male,’ ‘female,’ promotes abortion
By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square An education defense group is exposing what it says is the District of Columbia Public Schools “extreme” and “inappropriate” sexual education curriculum, where the terms...
U.S. Supreme Court slaps down Biden administration energy ruling
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday slapped down a decision from the Biden administration that regulated efficiency standards for furnaces and water heaters. Justices on...
Trump calls on Iran, Israel to ‘stop shooting,’ return to talks
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The ceasefire and a potential Iranian deal could be in shambles as Israel and Iran exchanged missile attacks early Monday. President Donald Trump, still seeking...
