Illinois in Focus

Greg Bishop shares the latest in the ongoing scrutiny of taxpayer spending on child care subsidies with President Donald Trump saying he's not going to pay states like Illinois for child care fraud. 

Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_eba67e20-474d-46e1-bee7-6a0c92eac4f6.html

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Greg Bishop talks with Jared Strong with The Center Square's investigative unit about his ongoing investigation of the taxpayer cost for the state's diversity contracting goals.

 

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(The Center Square) – A new Chicago budget is set to take effect, even though the city’s mayor refused to sign it. Flanked by Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates and several aldermanic allies, Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday he would not sign or veto the budget passed by the city council last Saturday, but he would let it take effect to avoid risk or speculation of a government shutdown. The $16.7 billion spending plan includes higher taxes on cloud computing, liquor and plastic bags, along with rideshare surcharges and a roughly $1 billion sweep of tax-increment financing funds to Chicago Public Schools.

Read more:

Chicago mayor refuses to sign or veto budget at 'not a campaign event'

Chicago council, 'starting to legislate,' sends $16.7 billion budget to mayor

IL rep: As if Bears 'had a plan to rob the bank' before considering Indiana

Gas prices drop, but taxes make Illinois pricier than Midwest neighbors

DOJ lawsuit against Illinois draws support from election integrity advocates

 

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This special edition of Illinois in Focus looks back at the biggest stories of 2025. From Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s controversial budget address to Illinois DOGE’s findings on billions flowing to NGOs, federal enforcement actions in Chicago, and new gun laws set to take effect in 2026. We revisit the moments that shaped Illinois politics this year. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed $1.5 billion public transit-funding legislation, but Illinois consumers are expected to pay the price with higher taxes and tolls. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2111 Tuesday at Union Station in Chicago. The measure establishes the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) to replace the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and oversee the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace. The governor promised that Illinois is on the verge of a world-class transportation network. “This new law not only averts the cliff but preserves affordability and makes transit safer and more reliable,” Pritzker said. The bill passed after more than two years of discussion centered around an estimated $770 million transit “fiscal cliff” looming in 2026, but the number was revised last summer to around $250 million. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Greg Bishop discusses the enactment of a bill Gov. J.B. Pritzker says ushers in a world class mass transit system. Opponents say the measure allows for increased taxes and tolls, while also diverting road fund money away from downstate. 

Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_6e028b31-4a06-402e-9da3-0ceac33bdf41.html

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Greg Bishop reviews a recent Office of Executive Inspector General annual report showing a record-breaking number of complaints against Illinois state employees and Gov. J.B. Pritzker's reaction to the growing trend of cases of wrongdoing.

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Greg Bishop reviews the proponents and opponents take on a measure Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted Friday allowing for end-of-life options for terminally ill patients, or physician-assisted suicide.

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(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says a new law to protect people from federal immigration law enforcement in Illinois is a great one, despite ethical questions about campaign donations to the bill sponsors and private right of action. Pritzker signed House Bill 1312 Tuesday at La Villita Community Church in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. The governor said the measure would provide a measure of legal protections and send a message to President Donald Trump and members of his administration. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Greg Bishop discusses the debate around a measure on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desk about "end-of-life" options for terminally ill patients that opponents say has "grave" consequences. The measure was approved by the Illinois Senate in the final hours of fall veto session, early Halloween morning.

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