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.
Events
Latest News Stories
Pritzker says federal ‘thuggery’ prompted lawsuit; Trump says public wants Guard
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The state of Illinois is suing President Donald Trump, cabinet officials and the U.S. Army for deploying...
Debate erupts over federal worker firings as shutdown looms
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman criticizes firing federal workers during a shutdown as unfair, while supporters say it’s...
Union sues Feds over claims of partisan automatic emails
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The nation's largest federal workers' union sued the Trump administration, accusing it of violating employees' free speech rights by rewriting their out-of-office emails to blame...
Police superintendent: Chicago cops will keep peace amid ICE protests
By Greg BishopThe Center Square Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said he’s going to review an “ICE-free zone” executive order issued Monday by Mayor Brandon Johnson, but police will assist...
U.S. Rep. Jared Golden draws progressive challenger in Maine
By Chris WadeThe Center Square Democratic Rep. Jared Golden has drawn a primary challenger from the party's progressive wing, which could complicate Democrats' efforts to win back the House in...
Judge declines to immediately block Guard deployment in Illinois
By Dan McCalebThe Center Square A federal judge on Monday declined to immediately block President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Chicago to address violence in the city....
WATCH: Judge blocks California National Guard in Portland
By Dave MasonThe Center Square President Donald Trump, for now, can’t deploy 300 federalized California National Guard troops to Portland, Ore., under a temporary restraining order issued by a federal...
Shutdown having ‘ripple effect’ on U.S. airline systems, DOT says
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The ongoing government shutdown is straining America’s airlines and air traffic controllers, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday, and the longer it drags on, the...
Maryland Supreme Court appears skeptical of climate change lawsuit
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Maryland Supreme Court justices seemed skeptical during oral arguments Monday in a lawsuit filed by three local governments against oil and gas companies over alleged...
Broadview limits ‘aggressive’ ICE protesters time; Chicago makes ‘ICE free zone’
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Designated protest times are being ordered by the mayor of Broadview, Illinois, after chaotic protests this past...
Trump set to talk trade with Canada in Tuesday meeting
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump is set to talk trade with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday during a working meeting in Washington D.C. The two...
Illinois GOP backs student privacy complaint against ISU
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republicans are backing a former candidate, Desi Anderson’s, complaint to the U.S. Department of Education...
Illinois announces lawsuit against Trump admin for use of Guard
By Greg BishopThe Center Square The state of Illinois is seeking a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration for plans to deploy the Illinois and Texas National Guard to...
Illinois quick hits: Lawsuit filed over Guard deployment; 3 charged for using vehicles to impede ICE
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Lawsuit filed over Guard deployment Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has filed a lawsuit challenging what he calls the Trump administration’s...
