November 18, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Former governor proposes millionaire’s surcharge; digital state ID launched

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Former governor proposes millionaire’s surcharge

Former Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing for a state constitutional amendment requiring Illinois millionaires to pay a 3% surcharge on their income tax returns.

The former governor said the millionaire’s tax would go to support a $4.5 billion property tax relief fund.

Quinn launched the campaign Tuesday outside the Cook County Treasurer’s Office in Chicago.

Digital state ID launched

Starting Wednesday, Illinois residents can add their Illinois-issued driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet and present their ID using their iPhone and Apple Watch.

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said, for now, Illinois residents must continue to carry their physical ID.

Illinois joins 12 other states and the territory of Puerto Rico by offering driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet.

Money laundering charges

The founder of a Chicago cryptocurrency company has been indicted in an alleged $10 million money laundering conspiracy.

Prosecutors say Crypto Dispensers CEO Firas Isa, 36, of Frankfort, Illinois and his company, Virtual Assets, have both pleaded not guilty.

According to the indictment, Isa’s company operated a cash-to-cryptocurrency exchange business with crypto ATMs at various locations throughout the United States.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Key races across U.S., redistricting at stake as voters head to polls Tuesday

Key races across U.S., redistricting at stake as voters head to polls Tuesday

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Governor’s races, city mayoral campaigns and redistricting initiatives will bring voters to the polls on Tuesday for a consequential off-year Election Day. Elections in California,...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey Township Library Board of Trustees for October 2, 2025

Casey Township Library Board of Trustees Meeting | October 2, 2025 The Casey Township Library Board made a key financial decision at its meeting on Thursday, October 2, 2025, voting...
Nigeria leaders deny Christian genocide, UN attributes violence to 'climate change'

Nigeria leaders deny Christian genocide, UN attributes violence to ‘climate change’

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Nigerian leaders continue to deny that Christian genocide has been occurring for years as the United Nation has attributed the violence to “climate change.” Over...
Congressional Perks: House members, staff get daycare, on-call doctor

Congressional Perks: House members, staff get daycare, on-call doctor

By Arthur KaneThe Center Square Job perks like an on-call doctor, on-site daycare and millions of dollars for food, beverages and bottled water sound like something offered to employees of...
California leaders hope for high voter turnout for Prop. 50

California leaders hope for high voter turnout for Prop. 50

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square With only one day to go in California before Election Day, legislators expect to see a relatively high voter turnout for the Golden State’s congressional...
Voters to decide two statewide measures, nearly 100 local proposals

Voters to decide two statewide measures, nearly 100 local proposals

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As Colorado voters prepare for Election Day, they will vote on two statewide ballot measures and nearly 100 local measures across 30 counties. Those measures...
WATCH: Coalition sues to protect student loan forgiveness

WATCH: Coalition sues to protect student loan forgiveness

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic attorney generals from 22 jurisdictions sued the U.S. Department of Education Monday over its new rule limiting Public Student Loan Forgiveness for government and...
WATCH: California attorney general talks about Prop. 50

WATCH: California attorney general talks about Prop. 50

By Dave MasonThe Center Square California has nothing to hide. That’s Attorney General Rob Bonta’s response to The Center Square’s question about the U.S. Department of Justice assigning monitors to...
Illinois quick hits: Man charged with threatening Trump; judge grants injunction in shelter funding case

Illinois quick hits: Man charged with threatening Trump; judge grants injunction in shelter funding case

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Man charged with threatening Trump For the second time in less than a week, a person from Illinois has been charged...

WATCH: IL GOP Rep: Sanctuary expansion bill may expose many to civil lawsuits

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House and Senate leaders are touting legislation they say will protect people from federal immigration enforcement,...
Senators introduce legislation to codify Antifa terror designation

Senators introduce legislation to codify Antifa terror designation

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than a month after President Donald Trump designated Antifa a domestic terror organization, a group of senators is proposing legislation to codify the president’s...
DHS proposes billion dollar expanded DNA testing for immigrants

DHS proposes billion dollar expanded DNA testing for immigrants

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a multibillion dollar proposal on Monday to increase biometric scanning during the immigration process. The proposal would expand...
Trump administration resumes visa processing despite shutdown

Trump administration resumes visa processing despite shutdown

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square After a month of halted operations, the U.S. Department of Labor will begin processing necessary documents for visa and permanent resident applications again. While agencies...
Muslims in Virginia, New York face decades in prison for supporting Houthis, ISIS

Muslims in Virginia, New York face decades in prison for supporting Houthis, ISIS

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Two cases in Virginia and New York highlight ongoing Islamic terrorist threats at home and abroad, including resulting in the death of two U.S. Navy...
Indian reservation focus of human smuggling probe at U.S.-Canada border

Indian reservation focus of human smuggling probe at U.S.-Canada border

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square An Indian reservation that spans the U.S.-Canada border, including Ontario, Quebec and two upstate New York counties, is the focus of another human smuggling operation....