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
First day of government shutdown leaves Wall Street unfazed
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The first day of the first federal government shutdown in years didn’t seem to disrupt Wall Street, as both the S&P 500 and the Dow...
U.S. Department of Energy buys 5% of Lithium Americas
By Liam HibbertThe Center Square The Center Square) - The U.S. Department of Energy settled government takeover reports of Lithium Americas Corp., announcing a 5% ownership of the $1.5 billion...
Legal group: Student ousted from Zoom for sharing faith
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A high school student was muted and kicked off while sharing his faith during a daily “social time” Zoom meeting, violating his First Amendment rights,...
States sue feds over denying grants for illegal immigrants
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic attorneys general from 21 jurisdictions sued the Trump administration Wednesday for denying federal funds to help victims of violent crimes who are illegal immigrants....
Arizona senator blasts alleged Medicaid fraud at hearing
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Arizona state Sen. Carine Werner, R-District 4, continues to investigate billions of dollars of alleged Medicaid fraud. The Arizona Senate Committee on Health & Human...
Fire District Finalizes 2025-2026 Budget After Brief Public Hearing
Article Summary: The Casey Fire Protection District Board of Trustees formally adopted its budget and appropriation ordinance for the 2025-2026 fiscal year following a perfunctory public hearing that drew no...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey Fire Protection District Board of Trustees for August 6, 2025
The Casey Fire Protection District Board of Trustees made a significant investment in its emergency response capabilities at its August 6 meeting, approving the purchase of a new $400,000 fire...
Pritzker blames Trump for partial government shutdown
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump is to blame for the U.S. government’s partial shutdown,...
Illinois quick hits: Record infrastructure spending planned; watchdog urges ratepayers review Ameren bills
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Record infrastructure spending planned Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation joined state, local and organized labor officials to...
Trump administration looks to streamline H-2A visas
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a new rule to streamline the filing process for temporary agricultural worker visas. The rule, which is set...
GOP rep, Dem alderman: Sanctuary policies drove immigration enforcement surge
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Republican state lawmaker and a Democratic Chicago alderman agree that sanctuary policies are the reason federal...
Vance lays out where government shutdown negotiations stand
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the federal government officially shut down, the Trump administration is prepared to “take extraordinary steps” to maintain essential functions as congressional negotiations continue, Vice...
Lady Braves, Braves run at Cumberland Invite
Featured Photo: Emmy Kusterman, a fifth-grader for the Lady Braves, posted a strong time of 15:35.38 to finish 21st overall at Wednesday's cross country meet in Toledo. (Photo by Terri...
