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

Spread the love

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

First day of government shutdown leaves Wall Street unfazed

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

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

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

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

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...
casey fire protection district graphic.1

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 Briefs

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

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

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

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

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

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...
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 Cox)

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...
Maine residential Amazon delivery includes 250 election ballots, rice, plates

Maine residential Amazon delivery includes 250 election ballots, rice, plates

By Chris WadeThe Center Square Maine Republicans are calling for a criminal investigation after hundreds of mail ballots for the November election were mistakenly sent to a woman in an...

WATCH: Labor leaving agreed-bill process has consequences, Illinois legislator warns

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he understands why labor leaders are walking away from the agreed-bill process,...