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
Student sues school over removal of Charlie Kirk tribute
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square A North Carolina high school student is suing over alleged violations of her constitutional rights after her school painted over her Charlie Kirk tribute and...
Illinois quick hits: Coalition calls for more action on data centers
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Coalition calls for more action on data centers The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition says more action is needed from the Illinois...
Asylum advocates disappointed by Supreme Court arguments
By Emily Rodriguez and Andrew RiceThe Center Square Immigration asylum advocates expressed disappointment with justices on the Supreme Court after arguments Tuesday regarding asylum protections. The case, Noem v. Al...
IL House GOP asks “Have you had enough yet” following student’s murder
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After the alleged murder of a Loyola University student by a migrant who was in the country...
EXCLUSIVE: 5-year anniversary of Operation Lone Star, nearly 540,000 apprehended
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas’ border security mission, Operation Lone Star, reached a milestone in March, its five-year anniversary. Gov. Greg Abbott first launched OLS in March 2021, in...
Many Republicans say proposed bipartisan DHS funding deal ‘impossible’
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Senate Republican leaders appear close to reaching a Department of Homeland Security funding deal with Democrats, but many rank-and-file Republicans view the proposed compromise as...
Mullin sworn in as secretary of Homeland Security
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As the Department of Homeland Security nears 40 days since a government stalemate shut it down, Markwayne Mullin has been sworn in as the ninth...
Gas spike continues for Illinoisans; state leaders offer no plan to help yet
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As fuel prices continue rising, government leaders in Illinois have responded to growing concern over the impact...
BREAKING: Minnesota sues feds for evidence in Metro Surge shootings
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for refusing to share evidence regarding three...
Supreme Court appears to favor Trump’s asylum border policy
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court appeared in favor of the Trump administration's policy to prevent immigrants making asylum claims from being processed if they are on...
NASA plans to build $20 billion base on the Moon
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square NASA has abandoned its plans to build a lunar-orbiting space station and will instead use those resources to construct a $20 billion permanent base on...
HUD launches investigation into race-based Washington housing program
By Tim ClouserThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development launched a fair-housing investigation into the Washington State Housing Finance Commission Tuesday over its race-based Covenant Homeownership...
Illinois lagging the nation for entrepreneurship, economic growth
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Policy Institute’s Josh Bandoch says he could have easily predicted the state would rank as...
