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

Pritzker wants Bears legislation to move faster; tax questions loom large

Pritzker wants Bears legislation to move faster; tax questions loom large

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he would like the General Assembly to move faster on legislation for the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago charter schools CEO charged

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago charter schools CEO charged

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A federal grand jury has indicted a former Chicago charter school network CEO for allegedly misappropriating more...
FTC takes action against ad giants for avoiding certain sites

FTC takes action against ad giants for avoiding certain sites

By Jay Brown | Legal NewslineThe Center Square WASHINGTON - The Federal Trade Commission and eight states have sued three of the country’s largest advertising agencies for allegedly conspiring not...
Illinois Quick Hits: Feds put card swipe fees prohibition on hold

Illinois Quick Hits: Feds put card swipe fees prohibition on hold

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has released notice of a pending...
Calif. climate change lawsuits paused during SCOTUS review

Calif. climate change lawsuits paused during SCOTUS review

By John O’Brien | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Lawsuits over climate change in California will be on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether they can be pursued. San...
U.S. will strike Iran infrastructure with no deal, Hegseth warns

U.S. will strike Iran infrastructure with no deal, Hegseth warns

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. military is prepared to strike Iran's energy infrastructure if it does not agree to a peace deal, War Secretary Pete Hegseth said on...
New North Carolina law, question on facts pivotal to Mosley appeal

New North Carolina law, question on facts pivotal to Mosley appeal

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Action by North Carolina’s General Assembly has changed the timing for medical malpractice, and enough evidence to ask a jury to resolve contested facts favor...

Illinois lawmakers grill diversity commission over lack of progress

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- State lawmakers expressed public, bipartisan concern again Wednesday over an Illinois commission's efforts to increase access to...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Goble’s 12 Strikeouts, Early Run Support Lift Casey-Westfield Past Arthur-Okaw Christian 7-4

A disastrous first inning proved too much for the Arthur-Okaw Christian varsity softball team to overcome, as visiting Casey-Westfield capitalized on early errors and rode a 12-strikeout complete game from...
U.S. House vote on spy powers extension delayed due to bipartisan pushback

U.S. House vote on spy powers extension delayed due to bipartisan pushback

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is postponing a vote on a clean extension of the federal government’s electronic surveillance powers due to member pushback....
Auditors praise Trump anti-fraud healthcare proposal

Auditors praise Trump anti-fraud healthcare proposal

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A coalition of 14 state financial leaders across the country backed a Trump administration policy to reduce fraud in health-care systems. The group of state...

WATCH: Gun owners rally at Illinois Statehouse against more gun regulations

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois gun owners are pressing their legislators to oppose gun regulations and some elected officials are on...
GOP seeks probe of $180B in fraud with taxpayers' money

GOP seeks probe of $180B in fraud with taxpayers’ money

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California’s Assembly Republican Caucus on Wednesday called for a special legislative session to investigate an estimated $180 billion in fraud in taxpayer-funded programs. “Fraud absolutely...
Bill advances to prevent local governments from clearing homeless camps

Bill advances to prevent local governments from clearing homeless camps

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State law may soon restrict local governments from clearing homeless encampments from parks and other public spaces....
Bonta’s anti-Exxon emails may have run afoul of CA corruption law: Claim

Bonta’s anti-Exxon emails may have run afoul of CA corruption law: Claim

By Michael Carroll | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Texas federal judge’s decision to allow ExxonMobil’s defamation lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta to move forward could ensnare Bonta...