IL state rep. pushes for rapid changes in hemp cannabis regulations | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, is turning up the heat in his quest to bring greater reforms to the growing hemp industry. Ford is slated to join the Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association Thursday morning for a panel discussion on Chicago’s West Side. The panel aims at discussing establishing formal […]
Chicago mayor: Shootings show ‘how far we still have to go’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Despite a mass shooting just north of downtown Chicago Wednesday night, Mayor Brandon Johnson says he wants people to enjoy the city this holiday weekend. The shooting outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge on Chicago Avenue left four people dead and 18 others wounded. Police said a vehicle pulled up near a […]
Illinois officials react to Congress passaging Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois elected officials are taking expected positions after the passage Thursday of the “big, beautiful bill” in Washington D.C. U.S. House Republicans finally united around the Senate-revised “big, beautiful bill” and passed it in a 218-214 vote Thursday afternoon, sending the multitrillion-dollar budget reconciliation package to the president’s desk. President Donald […]
Congress passes ‘no tax on tips’ as Illinois legislator eyes policy for state | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Congress passed the “one big beautiful bill” and in it a provision that temporarily exempts certain tipped income from federal taxes, a major shift from long-standing tax policy treating tips as taxable income. Alex Morishaner, an analyst with the Tax Foundation, said their estimate from last year found that excluding tips […]
Illinois quick hits: Body cam footage from police-involved shooting released | Illinois
Body cam footage from police-involved shooting released Illinois State Police have released body camera footage of a nonfatal police-involved shooting that happened in Macon. The footage from May shows a suspect stealing a squad car that had a shotgun. After a pursuit, the suspect is seen pointing the shotgun at police, at which time officers […]
Provision in ‘big, beautiful bill’ could ‘blunt’ pressure for lower IL taxes | Illinois
(The Center Square) – As Congress weighs the “big, beautiful bill,” a proposed hike to the state and local tax deduction cap is drawing fire for favoring taxpayers in high-tax states, like Illinois. Taxpayers who itemize can deduct up to $10,000 in state and local taxes from their federal taxes—a cap set by the 2017 […]
Pritzker slams ‘big ugly bill,’ warns of job losses, hospital closures | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker expresses deep concern over federal legislation cutting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid, warning it will severely impact vulnerable Illinois residents. At an unrelated news conference Tuesday, Pritzker warned the so-called “big, beautiful bill” working through the U.S. Congress will severely impact vulnerable Illinois residents. The U.S. […]
IL taxpayers begin funding record-high budget with tax hikes July 1 | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Starting Tuesday, Illinois taxpayers will be funding the largest budget in state history. The $55.2 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2026 includes higher taxes on telecommunications, tobacco products, sports wagering and long-term rentals, along with corporate income tax rule changes which are expected to bring in more tax revenue from […]
2026 field may grow as gubernatorial hopefuls challenge Pritzker | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Three men had already announced campaigns for governor when J.B. Pritzker launched his bid for a third term last week, but the field of candidates is expected to grow. DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor in February. Lake Forest businessman and former 10th […]
GOP challenger: ‘Definition of insanity electing’ Pritzker again | Illinois
(The Center Square) – As Gov. J.B. Pritzker targets federal policies while starting his campaign for a third term in Illinois, a Republican challenger says Pritzker’s tax policies are regressive for Illinois. The governor started his reelection bid with six scheduled stops around the state. He called President Donald Trump a “megalomaniac narcissist” while speaking […]