ISACo

Members of NACo’s Great Lakes Regional Forum convened on December 10 to plan for the 2026 Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., discussing how counties across the region can strengthen their collective voice on issues such as water resource management, data centers, economic development, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The meeting emphasized aligning county perspectives with broader regional priorities and encouraged members to develop policy ideas and session topics that will highlight the Great Lakes’ significance in national county advocacy. Click on the title for more information.

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is reminding customers that the state’s winter weather rule is in effect from December 1 - March 31. The winter weather rule limits utilities from disconnecting eligible customers who use electric or gas as their primary source of home heating.

A comprehensive new report released today by the University of Illinois’ Project for Middle Class Renewal (PMCR) finds that while Illinois has made meaningful progress toward gender pay equity since implementing pay data reporting requirements under a 2021 amendment to the Equal Pay Act of 2003 (EPA), significant occupational disparities in pay persist—particularly for Black and Hispanic workers in low-wage sectors.

The Illinois Department of Public Health today released the following statement from Director Dr. Sameer Vohra in response to the actions of the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP): “Since universal newborn vaccination began in 1991, hepatitis B infection among U.S. children dropped by 99%. Today, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to remove its long-standing recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. For decades, the best available science has shown that administering the hepatitis B vaccine at birth is safe, effective, and critical in preventing chronic liver disease and liver cancer later in life.

The Illinois State Museum (ISM) has been reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition afforded to the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, governments, funders, outside agencies and the museum-going public. The Illinois State Museum has been accredited since 1972.