Illinois in Focus

By The Center SquareNews

Illinois in Focus episodes

May 15 Weekend Edition | Springfield strains for balanced budget; Illinois revenue forecast shifts down
Illinois is projected to see less tax income than state agencies previously expected due to a variety of economic factors. With revised estimates, some lawmakers worry there may be a shortfall, which could prevent a balanced budget from being passed this month. Both the Illinois Department of Revenue – which oversees the collection of state funds – and the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability – which makes forecasts of expected tax revenue – have lowered estimates of how much money they expect the state to bring in next fiscal year, which begins July 1. Compared to earlier projections, which guided Governor JB Pritzker’s recommended spending plan released in January, officials said reasons for the downward shift included the economic impact of tariffs, rising living costs, and flattening excise‑tax revenue – such as from marijuana. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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24 min
May 08 Weekend Edition | Illinois Dems eye $7B from new tax proposals, push ‘Billionaire Wealth Tax’
(The Center Square) – New tax proposals being considered in Springfield could bring nearly $7 billion in revenue to the state, according to advocates. Critics say the proposals – which would change corporate tax rules, among other impactful tax changes – could drive capital and jobs out of the state. The Illinois Revenue Alliance and Democrat lawmakers on Wednesday discussed initiatives they want passed to increase revenue, which they say would address gaps in the state budget created in-part by federal funding cuts. Backers said new revenue could be raised without increasing taxes for everyday Illinoisans. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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24 min
May 01 Weekend Edition | Iran conflict, refinery disruption play roles as Illinois gas price passes $4.50
(The Center Square) – Gas prices have surged in Illinois, and an American Automobile Association spokesperson says several factors are to blame.
AAA listed the average price for regular unleaded at $4.53 a gallon on Wednesday, up from $3.41 a year ago and $3.98 one month ago.
Molly Hart, spokesperson for AAA, said the conflict with Iran is playing a role.
“What a lot of people don't understand is about 60% of what we pay at the pump has to do with the price of a barrel of crude oil. So when that price keeps going up, we see the pain at the pump,” Hart told The Center Square. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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24 min
April 18 Weekend Edition | Illinois lawmakers grill diversity commission over lack of progress
(The Center Square) -- State lawmakers expressed public, bipartisan concern again Wednesday over an Illinois commission's efforts to increase access to state contract money for businesses that are owned by racial minorities, women and people with disabilities.
The lawmakers' concerns are largely based on the reporting of The Center Square in recent months, which has found that the commissioners have fewer responsibilities than their counterparts elsewhere in government and that their decisions have led to a dramatic decline in businesses that are certified for contract preference.
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24 min
April 11 Weekend Edition | Ex-Blago attorney: Quid pro quo is key to Madigan appeal
(The Center Square) – A federal appeals court heard oral arguments Thursday as judges consider former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s appeal of his conviction on 10 counts of public corruption.
The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals took the case under advisement on Thursday afternoon following a hearing at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago.
Madigan defense attorney Amy Saharia said the appellate court should reverse Madigan’s conviction because counts related to ComEd were too vague, and because the government failed to prove quid pro quo related to a state board seat.

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24 min
April 04 Weekend Edition | Fewer businesses of Illinois' diversity-preferred group got state contracts last year
(The Center Square) - Fewer businesses that get diversity-related government priority in Illinois are getting contracts with the state, according to a new annual report from the agency, after a long-running computer problem thwarted efforts to increase those contracts.
About 1,500 businesses that are owned by racial minorities, women and people with disabilities were paid by the state for construction and other service contracts in this past fiscal year.
That figure -- contained in the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion's recent annual report -- is a 9-percent decrease from the prior year. And it happened even though state lawmakers have devoted millions of dollars in recent years to support the businesses.

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24 min
March 28 Weekend Edition | Trump: Loyola student would be alive if Pritzker, Johnson asked for help
(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump says a Loyola University student would still be alive if Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker asked his administration to help stop crime. The president spoke at a Cabinet meeting Thursday morning. “It would be great if people like the mayor of Chicago and the governor of Illinois would say, ‘Please come in and stop the crime,’” Trump said. Trump referred to 18-year-old Loyola student Sheridan Gorman, who was allegedly shot and killed by a Venezuelan migrant Thursday.

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24 min
March 21 Weekend Edition | Illinois voters to see Pritzker, Bailey rematch in November
(The Center Square) – Illinois voters will have a rematch in the race for governor after Darren Bailey beat out three other candidates in Tuesday evening’s Republican primary election. Just as votes were being counted and before the race was called for Bailey, during a campaign event in Chicago, incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker predicted that Republicans would select the same candidate as they did four years ago. “Illinois Republicans are offering voters a destructive alliance of cowardly, doomed grifters who recklessly embrace ruin,” Pritzker said. “Yes, folks, this is the fight of our future.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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24 min
March 14 Weekend Edition | Pritzker: 'God was looking out for people' in storm-damaged Kankakee County
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says God was looking out for people in Kankakee County this week. The governor visited the area Thursday after severe storms, including an EF-3 level tornado, caused extensive damage on Tuesday. “But one thing, and God was looking out for people here, is that there were really very few injuries. They were relatively minor. There were no deaths,” Pritzker said. Pritzker said almost 500 structures were affected and at least 30 homes were totally destroyed. “Many of the people who have been displaced have family that live in the area, and they’ve gone to stay with their family while their homes are being repaired or maybe for longer,” Pritzker said. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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24 min
March 07 Weekend Edition | Chicago police monitor Iran-U.S. conflict; public advised to be aware
(The Center Square) – Chicago Police say they are monitoring the U.S. conflict in Iran. Residents and visitors observed a significant increase in police presence at O’Hare International Airport and on area passenger trains this week. In a statement to The Center Square, the Chicago Police Department said it is monitoring the situation in Iran. “While there is no actionable intelligence related to Chicago at this time, we are paying special attention to places of worship and will adjust resources if necessary as we continue to follow the rapidly unfolding events,” the CPD statement said.

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24 min

About Illinois in Focus

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The podcast bringing you the most important stories out of Illinois from TheCenterSquare.com. Join us as we dive into the top headlines and provide insightful commentary and analysis.