Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced that investment earnings on the state portfolio are up more than 11% as state government faces tough budgeting decisions this spring. Investment earnings stand at $803.8 billion for the first six months of Fiscal Year 2025, up from $723.2 billion the first six months of Fiscal Year 2024. That’s an increase of $80.65 million. “This is money that doesn’t have to be raised in taxes or cut from things like our schools and our roads and our bridges,” Frerichs said after Gov. JB Pritzker’s annual budget speech at the Capitol. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability’s monthly report showed how important this extra income the Treasurer’s Office is earning is for state finances.

Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed growing spending by about $2 billion without new income or service taxes in the upcoming fiscal year – though his administration acknowledged policy changes by the Trump administration could drastically alter the fiscal landscape. Spending and revenues would each grow by about 3% under the proposal laid out Wednesday during the governor’s annual budget address, with total general revenue fund spending growing to $55.2 billion.

On February 19, 2025, Governor JB Pritzker delivered his seventh State Fiscal Year (SFY) Budget Address to a joint session of the General Assembly. This update provides highlights from the address and links to key budget documents.

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate Black History Month and honor leaders in the African American community. The event, held at the Marine Bank Building at 1 E. Old State Capitol Plaza, was an opportunity to reflect on the great achievements of Black leaders. The eight honorees included a businessman and director of vocational services at a Springfield nonprofit, a former Illinois secretary of state, a former Metro East mayor, a retired Edwardsville school superintendent and college basketball referee, a state senator, a Marion community leader, a Peoria school administrator and former professional basketball player, and a sculptor and art educator.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that it has posted the 2024 Fourth Quarter Report of Nursing Home Violations. Details on the 305 violation reports completed in the fourth quarter of 2024 may be found HERE on the IDPH website. The six facilities listed below were cited with type “AA” violations of the Nursing Home Care Act during the fourth quarter of 2024, the most severe type of violation. An “AA” violation is cited when there is a condition or occurrence at the facility that proximately caused a resident’s death. Click on the links below to view the completed “AA” violation reports.