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

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

November 18, 2025/
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

Trump tells small business owners tariffs 'aren't high enough'

Trump tells small business owners tariffs ‘aren’t high enough’

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump told a group of small business owners Monday that tariffs should be higher, even as polling is mixed on the issue. "You...
Pennsylvania has the most Democrats in ‘Red to Blue’ campaign

Pennsylvania has the most Democrats in ‘Red to Blue’ campaign

By John ColeThe Center Square As Democrats ramp up their efforts to flip the U.S. House in November, four candidates from the Keystone State have been named to a program...
Trump hosts small business owners at White House, touting business-friendly policies

Trump hosts small business owners at White House, touting business-friendly policies

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump enumerated a number of policies he said have created a favorable environment for small business growth while speaking to small business owners...
DeSantis signs new congressional map into law

DeSantis signs new congressional map into law

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Second-term Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed his redrawn congressional map into law. The Legislature gave passage last week. “Signed, sealed and delivered,” DeSantis...
South Carolinian facing charges for threatening Trump will stay jailed

South Carolinian facing charges for threatening Trump will stay jailed

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Army veteran Daniel Swain spoke only briefly in response to a federal magistrate judge on Monday and will have a detention hearing on Thursday. Swain,...
Iran testing fragile ceasefire, fires on Navy, commercial ships

Iran testing fragile ceasefire, fires on Navy, commercial ships

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Iran is testing the ceasefire as it fires at U.S. naval and commercial vessels within hours of the implementation of “Project Freedom.” U.S. Central Command...
Small businesses expected to feel pinch as diesel hits $6 a gallon

Small businesses expected to feel pinch as diesel hits $6 a gallon

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois trucking industry leader says consumers and small businesses can expect to feel the pinch as...
GOP senators renew calls to nuke filibuster after voter ID bill languishes

GOP senators renew calls to nuke filibuster after voter ID bill languishes

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With Congress juggling government funding, the farm bill, government surveillance reauthorization and more, a Republican election security bill has taken a backseat, much to the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Four charged in alleged pharmacy burglary conspiracy

Illinois Quick Hits: Four charged in alleged pharmacy burglary conspiracy

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Four people from California are charged in connection with a conspiracy to burglarize pharmacies and distribute controlled...
LA City Council member seeks to allow noncitizens to vote

LA City Council member seeks to allow noncitizens to vote

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A Los Angeles City Council member has proposed allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections. Speaking on Friday at a Rules Committee meeting, Councilmember Hugo...
Chicago loses 2,100 restaurant jobs as industry fights mandated wage hikes

Chicago loses 2,100 restaurant jobs as industry fights mandated wage hikes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Chicago’s efforts to phase out sub-minimum wages are proposed nationwide, a restaurant industry advocate says the...
State Senator, ‘angel parent’ want to let police work with ICE

State Senator, ‘angel parent’ want to let police work with ICE

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Democrat legislators have moved legislation to restrict U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations within Illinois, one...
U.S. Supreme Court temporarily allows mail-order abortion pills

U.S. Supreme Court temporarily allows mail-order abortion pills

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will temporarily allow women to obtain abortion pills through the mail, without visiting an in-person doctor. Justices on the court blocked...
U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Washington COVID-19 speech case

U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Washington COVID-19 speech case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case over whether the government can discipline doctors for what they say publicly. The case, Stockton v....
'Project Freedom' begins, two ships safely transit Strait of Hormuz

‘Project Freedom’ begins, two ships safely transit Strait of Hormuz

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The United States launched “Project Freedom” Monday morning in an effort to safely escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump announced...