Illinois in Focus

Greg Bishop talks live with congressional candidate Christian Maxwell about how she feels Congress could impact public safety on the streets of Chicago, impacts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

(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 crowd of people on the sidewalk, and gunfire erupted from the vehicle. The incident happened as a crowd was leaving a release party for a local music artist. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said detectives are working hard to solve the crime. “We as a Chicago Police Department want to make sure that we bring justice to these families, but we also want to make sure that we take individuals who are this violent and this careless off the streets,” Snelling said. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

(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 tax law. A provision in the legislation the U.S. Senate sent back over to the House Tuesday would raise that cap to $40,000 for most people, but phase it out for those earning over $500,000. “This is considered to be specifically a subsidy for high-income taxpayers in high-tax states because there are some lower-tax states where even relatively high earners aren't paying $10,000 in state and local taxes due to low property and income taxes,” said Tax Foundation analyst Katherine Loughead. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Greg Bishop provides the latest in the case challenging Illinois' prohibition of carrying concealed carry on mass transit and shares a conversation with Illinois State Rifle Association Executive Director Richard Pearson about an appeals court setting Sept. 22 for oral arguments in the case challenging the state's gun and magazine ban.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Greg Bishop reports out the latest in the challenge against Illinois' gun ban with the appeals court scheduling oral arguments for Sept. 22, 2025.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Greg Bishop shares reaction from various Illinois political leaders to two separate U.S. Supreme Court rulings issued Friday about the reach district court injunctions have and parental rights when it comes to LGBTQ curriculum in schools.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(The Center Square) – After U.S. Census data shows the state losing the 18 and under population faster than any other state, Illinois political leaders have different solutions. Asked Thursday about the latest U.S. Census data released this week showing Illinois losing the 18 and under population at a faster rate than any other state, Pritzker dismissed it. “You’ve got to look at all the data and understand that when you’re trying to attract, remember that every state has people that leave and come, the point is to get net improvement in population,” Pritzker told The Center Square after a campaign rally in Chicago.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Greg Bishop delves into the latest U.S. Census data showing Illinois leading the nation in the rate of decline of people 18 and under as older populations increases. Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski shares his perspective of the demographics.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares reaction to recent rhetoric from Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates about education philosophy. Jonathan Greenberg from Empower Illinois says Davis Gates' comments to the City Club of Chicago give more reason to support school choice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Greg Bishop airs highlights from dueling hearings in Washington D.C. over the issue of rule of law. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul took part in a "spotlight" panel with other Democrats while a U.S. House committee discussed issues around justice with U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.