WATCH: Expect tax and fee increases for veto; Democrats want more sanctuary policies

WATCH: Expect tax and fee increases for veto; Democrats want more sanctuary policies

October 29, 2025/
Spread the love

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews the prospects of increased taxes and fees expected to come from Illinois legislators in the final days of fall veto session. Democrats are looking to increase taxes to pay for mass transit and an energy bill to support battery storage. Republicans say both policies are bad for Illinois families and businesses.

Bishop also airs some of the latest debate between Republicans and Democrats over public safety and immigration reform. Democrats are looking to expand the state’s migrant sanctuary policies as Republicans blame such laws for a recent fatal crash involving a county board member, his wife and two illegal immigrants.

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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Trump targets 60 economies with forced labor tariffs

Trump targets 60 economies with forced labor tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Trade Representative proposed tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 economies, including Canada, Mexico, Japan and the European Union, arguing that...
Lawmakers probe $1.2B Ohio Medicaid fraud

Lawmakers probe $1.2B Ohio Medicaid fraud

By Christine Johnson and Andrew RiceThe Center Square Federal lawmakers called for greater fraud enforcement in the Medicaid Waiver Program on Wednesday, citing concerns over recent reports of $1.2 billion...
Debt burden, pensions burden Chicago Public Schools

Debt burden, pensions burden Chicago Public Schools

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The author of a new Civic Federation report says taking on more debt would be a death...
Nearly 100,000 Illinois Uber, Lyft drivers may soon be able to unionize

Nearly 100,000 Illinois Uber, Lyft drivers may soon be able to unionize

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposal that would allow many Uber and Lyft drivers to form a sector-wide union and engage...
Michigan lawmakers spar over Rx Kids program amid oversight concerns

Michigan lawmakers spar over Rx Kids program amid oversight concerns

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan lawmakers are sparring over the future of the state's Rx Kids program, a cash-assistance initiative that has received more than $300 million in taxpayer...
UPDATED: Waters, other incumbents ahead in LA congressional races

UPDATED: Waters, other incumbents ahead in LA congressional races

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated with new results from Wednesday morning. Democratic incumbents topped the vote counts in Los Angeles congressional districts in...
GOP rep: New budget shows 'addiction' to taxes

GOP rep: New budget shows ‘addiction’ to taxes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Illinois’ new budget for fiscal year 2027 protects working families from new taxes,...
Retirees face $5,500 average cut to annual Social Security benefits in 2032

Retirees face $5,500 average cut to annual Social Security benefits in 2032

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Over 60 million Americans could see their monthly Social Security checks slashed by $500 on average starting in 2032, according to a new report analyzing...
Illinois Quick Hits: Comptroller Mendoza announces run for Chicago mayor

Illinois Quick Hits: Comptroller Mendoza announces run for Chicago mayor

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is running for mayor of Chicago. Mendoza said in a campaign video released...
Georgia doctors face scrutiny as they cozy up to injury lawyers

Georgia doctors face scrutiny as they cozy up to injury lawyers

By Daniel Fisher | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The Instagram post shows Georgia personal-injury attorney Harris Weinstein, aka “The Georgia Pitbull,” smiling with Dr. Amin Oskouei, owner of Ortho Sport...
Wiener, Gallagher, Gray lead in congressional races

Wiener, Gallagher, Gray lead in congressional races

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square As results poured in for several congressional races Tuesday night, incumbent U.S. Rep. Adam Gray, California Assemblymember James Gallagher and California state Sen. Scott Wiener...
Desmond, Wilpert ahead in District 48 race to succeed Issa

Desmond, Wilpert ahead in District 48 race to succeed Issa

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Republican Jim Desmond has a big lead in the race for California Congressional District 48. The race will decide who replaces U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa....
Candidates advance in redrawn congressional districts

Candidates advance in redrawn congressional districts

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Several candidates across altered congressional districts in California are projected to head to November’s general election. California voters passed Proposition 50, a measure that altered...
Illinois slaps limits on non-lawyer investor power in law firms

Illinois slaps limits on non-lawyer investor power in law firms

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Illinois has become the latest state to restrict the involvement of private equity and other non-lawyer interests in owning or running law...
Bill loosens in-state tuition requirements

Bill loosens in-state tuition requirements

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Some students from outside the Land of Lincoln may soon pay in-state tuition at Illinois public universities...