WATCH: Chicago activist testifies; Quinn’s millionaire surcharge; High SNAP error rate
November 20, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from Wednesday U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary where Chicago Flips Red Vice President Daniel Carter-Walters testified about immigration enforcement in the Windy City.
Bishop also gives both sides of the debate around a proposed 3% surcharge on Illinois millionaires to fund property tax relief rebates. Former Gov. Pat Quinn says if voters approve the idea, more than $4 billion would be raised. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy said that will push more high earners out of the state.
Finally, Bishop shares some of the questions and responses around the state’s handling of federal tax subsidies through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Illinois’ high SNAP error rate could end up costing Illinois taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.
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.
Today Jun 13
72° 51°
Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Land Use Committee Advances Mokena Scrap Yard and Homer Glen Landscape Business Over Local Objections
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | February 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use Committee approved special use permits for two businesses in Frankfort and...
District 210 Reports Insurance Deficit Amid National Healthcare Cost Spikes; Finances Remain Stable
Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education Meeting | February 19, 2026 Article Summary: Assistant Superintendent Michael Duback reported a $630,000 deficit in the District’s medical plan performance for the 2025...
Foxx to face questions about murder conviction review ‘investigations’
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Former Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx should need to answer questions under oath about her decision to direct her deputies to...
Illinois Quick Hits: North Chicago manufacturing expansion announced
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State officials have announced that AbbVie will build two new pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing facilities at its North...
Local government advocates oppose Pritzker plan to cut distributions
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Advocates for Illinois communities are expressing opposition to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s planned reduction of the state’s revenue...
New Lenox Fire District Exploring Land Swap with Village for New Training Facility
New Lenox Fire Protection District Board of Trustees Meeting | January 19, 2026 Article Summary:Fire Chief Adam Riegel announced the District is engaged in ongoing discussions with the Village of...
WATCH: Illinois diversity leaders dodge questions as they slip farther from goals
By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois' highly paid diversity commissioners dodged in-person questions from The Center Square last week about their decisions...
Illinois Quick Hits: Road fund could help renovate Soldier Field
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Park District officials are reportedly planning to use Illinois gas tax revenue to help transform Soldier...
Planning Commission Backs 5-MW Peotone Solar Farm; Developer Pledges Pollinator Habitat and Community Funds
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | February 17, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval for a new 5-megawatt commercial solar farm...
Joliet Junior College Board Approves $2 Tuition Increase Amidst Heated Debate Over Enrollment and Spending
Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | February 18, 2026 Article Summary: The Joliet Junior College (JJC) Board of Trustees on Wednesday voted to increase tuition by $2 per...
New Lenox District 122 Kicks Off 2026-2027 Budget Cycle, Approves Minor Registration Fee Increase
New Lenox School District 122 Meeting | January 20, 2026 Article Summary: The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education officially initiated its 2026-2027 financial planning cycle, unanimously authorizing tentative...
New Lenox Park District Outlines Aggressive 2026 Development Plan, Addresses Crossroads Sinkhole
New Lenox Community Park District Board of Commissioners Meeting | January 21, 2026 Article Summary:The New Lenox Community Park District provided critical updates on major facility projects for 2026, including...
New Lenox Library Explores Rebranding Ahead of 25th Anniversary on the Commons
New Lenox Public Library District Board of Trustees Meeting | January 19, 2026 Article Summary:As the New Lenox Public Library District prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary on the Village...
Lincoln-Way Board Ratifies Three-Year Support Staff Contract with Significant Hourly Raises
Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education Meeting | February 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education ratified a new three-year collective bargaining agreement...
Battalion Chief Brian Applegate Promoted to Deputy Chief as New Lenox Fire District Surpasses 6,000 Annual Calls
New Lenox Fire Protection District Board of Trustees Meeting | January 19, 2026 Article Summary:The New Lenox Fire Protection District Board of Trustees officially instructed the Fire Commission to appoint...