News

An amendment was filed in the Illinois House to address the transportation of migrants between counties and cities within the state. The amendment offers a framework for counties and municipalities to address the arrival of migrants via busing in a more orderly and predictable manner.

The Chicago Tribune published an article about proposed legislation in Springfield to merge the public bus and rail systems that serve residents of Cook and the Collar Counties. The proposal is part of a broader look at transit funding, as the region's public transit agencies face a combined $730 million budget hole once federal COVID-19 relief funding starts running out, which could be as soon as 2025.

With the respiratory virus season continuing to wind down, Illinois’ overall respiratory virus level is now Minimal and all counties in the state are at Low level for COVID-19 hospitalizations, according to CDC data for the week ending April 20. The total number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Illinois declined 22% during the same week, according to the CDC COVID Data Tracker.

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) considered a number of regulatory matters today during its regularly scheduled meeting. IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter reminded Illinois sports wagering, video gaming and casino gambling operators of their obligations not to directly market or advertise to minors.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has announced more than $123 million in state and federal resources have been awarded by the agency to finance permanent supportive housing throughout Illinois. Awarded under Round X of IHDA’s Permanent Supportive Housing Development Program, this funding represents the largest ever annual award made by the State to fund housing and services for individuals at risk of homelessness, those living with disabilities, or other vulnerable populations. Funds will be used for the construction or rehabilitation of 14 developments containing 392 units of affordable housing that will be integrated with flexible supportive services designed to help residents maintain their housing stability, health, and independence.

The rate and return above represent past performance and should not be viewed as a guarantee of future results. Fund performance changes over time and current performance may be lower or higher than what is stated. The most recent yield information can be viewed at www.iprimetrust.org.

On April 26, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) launched $30 million in funding for the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital (RDMS, $20 million) and Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE, $10 million) programs to revitalize commercial corridors and downtown areas throughout the state and accelerate local economic recovery initiatives. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced today the recipients of the 2024 Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $4 million was awarded to 165 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state. The program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) was notified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of two grant opportunities available to non-profit organizations across Illinois. “These outstanding 2024 grant opportunities provide organizations across Illinois the chance to implement enhanced safety measures to increase safety and security,” said IEMA-OHS Director and Homeland Security Advisor to the Governor Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “Organizations can take advantage of security equipment, facility hardening, and other operational actions during this 3-year grant performance period.”

On April 24, 2024, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director John J. Kim announced an open-ended $17.7 million Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to fund the replacement of existing diesel school buses with new all-electric school buses located and operated in any of the three priority areas outlined in the Volkswagen Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (BMP) and further described below. Illinois EPA will also fund a portion of electric bus charging equipment if charging infrastructure is needed for buses with these funds. This funding opportunity will remain open until funding is depleted with grants awarded on a first- come, first-serve basis.

On April 24, 2024, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the recipients for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Housing Rehabilitation. A total of $8.9 million has been awarded to 14 communities, which will support housing rehabilitation projects. "No one should have to worry if their home is structurally safe or if their appliances will turn on," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Thanks to this federal grant, 14 communities across the state will become stronger and more resilient by rehabilitating their vulnerable residents' homes." "For half a century, the Community Development Block Grants Program has provided critical assistance to keep communities safe and healthy," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "This grant funding will ensure communities and families across Illinois have the resources they need to rehabilitate homes in the areas that need it the most."

Every day, Berdeena Leturno checks her email for an update on when the state of Illinois will finally pay her $80,000. It’s been over two months since she signed the paperwork to sell her flood-damaged home as part of a buyout program, and over a year and a half since the creek across the street rose so high that it filled her home with water. Now, she’s waiting to close and get the check for her old house – a white-paneled ranch where she and her husband raised their four kids, spent nearly 20 years and planned to retire.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) commends the Biden Administration for launching the America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge to conserve and restore America's vital freshwater systems for future generations. The America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge: A Partnership to Conserve and Restore America's Rivers, Lakes, Streams, and Wetlands sets a national goal to protect, restore, and reconnect 8 million acres of wetlands and 100,000 miles of our nation's river and streams.

Illinois Rep. La Shawn Ford is ramping up the fight against the opioid crisis by pushing to create overdose prevention sites and declaring a new Harm Reduction Solidarity Week. Ford, whose district includes Austin, Oak Park and Forest Park, has long been a drug-treatment advocate. In late 2022, for example, he proposed House Bill 0002, which proposes the opening of pilot overdose prevention sites in Illinois. Earlier this year, Ford filed House Resolution 665, which, when it passed, declared April 14 through April 20 Illinois’ first Harm Reduction Solidarity Week.

Legal settlements with prescription painkiller manufacturers, distributors and sellers have put Illinois in line for some $1.3 billion in payouts intended to help in fighting an opioid crisis that’s still killing tens of thousands of Americans every year.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Energy is announcing $902,200 in grants to four recipients of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Programs (EECBG) awards from the first round of EECBG Program funding, while also opening a third EECBG Program funding opportunity for a total of $500,000.

Residents of 11 Illinois counties can dispose of unwanted agrichemicals for free this year through the Illinois Department of Agriculture's (IDOA) agricultural pesticide "Clean Sweep" program. A "Clean Sweep" collection has been scheduled in late summer for Bureau, Carroll, Henry, JoDaviess, Lasalle, Lee, Ogle, Rock Island, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago Counties, IDOA announced today. The collection, which rotates among Illinois counties, is open to farmers, retired farmers, nursery owners, private pesticide applicators, structural pest control applicators and landowners who inherited unwanted agricultural pesticides with their property.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.8 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased +12,700 in March, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and released by IDES. The February revised unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, unchanged from the preliminary February unemployment rate. The February monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +23,100 to +26,700 jobs. The March unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission’s (ILCC) Legal Division is pleased to announce that licensees now have the ability to pay ILCC fines and penalties online through MyTax Illinois. Previously, licensees had no method to pay fines or penalties online. Licensees who have been assessed a penalty via an Offer in Compromise, Post-Conference Letter, or a Final Order of the Commission, can now pay those penalties via their MyTax Illinois Account.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has announced Sigue Corp. will cease to provide money transmission services in Illinois, as the company can no longer responsibly serve customers due to its declining financial position. Illinois joins 38 other states, along with Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, in this consent order after Sigue failed to satisfy outstanding money transmission liabilities, violating state law. Sigue is a state-regulated money transmission company licensed in Illinois and 48 other states (NMLS ID 915912). Over the past several months, Sigue experienced significant financial deterioration, leading to the company failing to complete multiple money orders and transmissions, and failing to maintain adequate net worth and assets to cover outstanding liabilities. Both are violations of Illinois money transmission law (205 ILCS 657/80). As part of the consent order, Sigue must preserve and provide access to all books and records, including information on affected customers. Illinois and other states will use the company's signed declarations to file bond claims on behalf of affected customers involved in the following transactions:

The recent surge of international migrants arriving in Illinois has brought with it a host of new challenges for state and local officials. Those range from filling their most basic needs like emergency food, clothing and shelter, to more complex issues like lining them up with basic health care, financial assistance and other social services. But there is another challenge stemming from the influx of migrants that some advocates say the state has not done enough to address – educating the children of those coming across the border. Jeannie Stachowiak, superintendent of North Palos School District 117, a district of about 3,500 students in Chicago’s southwest suburbs, told a legislative committee this week how the crisis has affected her schools.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will host a grant submission webinar for the Open Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) matching grant program at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 15. OSLAD provides funding assistance to local government agencies for the acquisition and development of land for public parks and open space. The program is administered by IDNR. Projects vary from small neighborhood parks to large community parks and nature areas.

The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) today announced the 2024 construction program that includes $127 million for infrastructure projects to increase driver and pedestrian safety, improve mobility and reduce carbon emissions on Lake County's transportation system. More than 20 transportation projects will be under construction in 2024, featuring intersection improvements, non-motorized paths, resurfacings and bridge maintenance.

There is a desperate call for volunteer help in the suburbs, as CASA Kane County seeks out "CASAs," or court appointed special advocates. "I feel a shared sense of purpose and meaning, and that’s very satisfying," said volunteer, Ellen Ljung. Ljung is a retired educator and has been volunteering with CASA for three years. "We can change a child’s story, and it is incredibly rewarding when that happens," she said. Volunteers act as child advocates. They are trained and supervised, then a judge appoints them to cases where they work in the best interest of children in abuse, neglect, and probate court.

Illinois officials have shut down Route 185 after a sinkhole appeared near the road. The location is between Hillsboro and Coffeen, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. The sinkhole has increased slightly in diameter making the area unsafe for travel, IDOT said. A geotechnical consultant will evaluate the situation. Until then, motorists are advised to seek alternate routes. Sinkholes are not uncommon in Illinois. They can occur naturally or through man-made causes, such as underground mining.