News

The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office announced today that fire departments across the state are beginning the transition to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS)—a secure, cloud-based platform built to modernize how emergency incidents are reported and analyzed. Departments across the country are onboarding to NERIS as part of a phased national rollout led by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), and the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes.

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Director James Jennings today announced additional funding for two energy efficiency grant opportunities. The Energy Efficiency Assessment (EEA) Program has $350,000 in funding available for recipients to conduct energy efficiency assessments at properties serving residents receiving housing assistance from a state or federal program. The Energy Efficiency Trust Fund (EETF) Program is offering $10 million in funding to implement projects previously identified in an energy efficiency assessment at eligible properties serving residents receiving housing assistance. These grant programs are now accepting applications.

Legislation creating the Public Official Safety and Privacy Act would prohibit the public posting or online display of a public official’s personal information once the official has requested privacy protection. The measure also amends several laws to allow redaction of home addresses from election filings, public records, and identification documents, and permits public officials to use work addresses on state-issued IDs and vehicle registrations. The proposal responds to growing concerns over online harassment and physical threats against public officials and would take effect immediately upon becoming law. Click on the title for additional information.

Legislation was approved by both chambers to authorize counties and municipalities to use Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds to support major tourism, entertainment, and retail projects, subject to approval by the Governor and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The bill also extends Illinois’ pass-through entity tax election, updates bonus depreciation conformity, and modifies the state’s film production tax credit, including limits on eligible executive producer wages and new payroll withholding rules. Additionally, the measure transfers funds to support state audit expenses and sets a 2039 sunset for awarding new film credits. The STAR bond authority is intended to promote large-scale economic development opportunities across the state, with counties now positioned to pursue qualifying projects in partnership with the state. Click on the title for more information.

Legislation expanding senior property tax relief and granting counties new flexibility in managing tax payments has been approved by both chambers. The measure raises income eligibility thresholds for the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption beginning in tax year 2026 and clarifies delinquency dates and interest rates for first-installment 2025 property taxes. It also authorizes county clerks to offer payment plans and waive interest penalties for qualifying seniors participating in the tax deferral program. While the bill may modestly delay some property tax collections and reduce penalty revenue, counties and other taxing bodies will ultimately receive the underlying tax dollars. The changes aim to assist low- and fixed-income seniors while providing counties with tools to support taxpayers struggling to keep up with rising property costs. Click on the title for more information.

Lawmakers approved a wide-ranging omnibus bill that extends repeal dates, restores provisions that were unintentionally allowed to expire, and makes technical and timing corrections across multiple state statutes, including laws governing elections, procurement, criminal enforcement tools, tax programs, and public infrastructure authorities. The legislation also continues COVID-era transit farebox flexibility and adjusts filing timelines and vacancy procedures for certain local offices. While largely administrative in nature, the bill includes several provisions of interest to counties, particularly related to election administration, regional superintendent vacancies, and continued authority for Menard County’s quick-take eminent domain process. Click on the title for more information.

Illinois lawmakers approved the Clean Slate Act, a major overhaul of the state’s criminal record-sealing system designed to expand second-chance opportunities and streamline the sealing process. While the measure modernizes record procedures and introduces automatic sealing for certain offenses, it also creates new administrative, technology, and reporting demands for county court and law-enforcement systems. County officials would need to prepare for increased workload, system updates, and additional coordination requirements if the legislation is enacted into law. Click on the title for more information.

HB 1312 establishes new state-level protections for individuals interacting with Illinois courts, hospitals, schools, and child-care centers during civil immigration enforcement activities. The legislation creates private rights of action for constitutional violations during civil immigration enforcement, restricts arrests of individuals attending state court proceedings, and requires hospitals and higher-education institutions to adopt policies governing interaction with law enforcement. Licensed day-care centers are also prohibited from disclosing immigration-status information except as legally required. Counties may face new training, policy, and courthouse-security considerations to ensure compliance with constitutional protections and avoid liability exposure. Click in the title for additional information.

Illinois lawmakers approved sweeping transit legislation that overhauls Chicago-area transit governance and creates a $1.5 billion annual funding plan to address looming budget shortfalls for CTA, Metra, and Pace. The package establishes the Northern Illinois Transit Authority to replace the RTA, redirects state motor-fuel tax and road-fund interest revenue to support transit service, and authorizes a regional sales tax increase and higher Illinois Tollway rates. It also includes the People Over Parking Act, limiting local authority to require minimum parking near transit. While proponents describe the bill as historic and necessary to prevent severe transit cuts, its diversion of traditional road funds and limitations on local land-use powers have raised significant concerns in downstate and rural counties. The legislation includes provisions that are likely to divide counties, with Chicago-area counties benefiting from transit stabilization and development tools, while downstate officials warn of reduced infrastructure funding and limited direct benefits. In addition, collar counties are likely to have concerns about the governance structure and regional oversight under the new authority, given their representation changes and new decision-making framework. Please click on the title for more information.

Both chambers have now approved the omnibus energy bill, sending it to Governor Pritzker for consideration. The House passed the amended bill on October 29 following a lengthy Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee subject matter hearing earlier that day, where testimony underscored ongoing disagreements over battery storage costs, local siting authority, and expanded regulatory authority for the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). The Senate granted final passage on October 30. ISACo is closely monitoring this legislation due to its potential effects on county zoning authority, revenues, and long-term energy infrastructure planning. Click the title for more information.

Gov. JB Pritzker has signed Executive Order 2025-08, directing $20 million to food banks in response the to halt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for nearly 2 million Illinoisans starting November 1.

SB 1937 would expand Tier 2 benefits for Illinois public employees by increasing pensionable salary limits, raising cost-of-living adjustments, and lowering the minimum retirement age to 52 with 20 years of service. The legislation also adjusts the pension funding schedule, moving the target for police and firefighter pension funds to reach 90% funding from 2040 to 2055. All state public pension systems except the Chicago Transit Authority fund would be affected. Click on the title for additional information.

Citing steep declines in exports, weakened commodity markets, and growing financial stress in rural communities, Governor Pritzker has declared an agricultural trade crisis. He issued an Executive Order (EO) directing the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to boost domestic market development and expand support for farm mental-health services. Counties may see increased demand for rural services while also benefiting from new state initiatives aimed at supporting producers and stabilizing local economies. Click on the title for additional information and a link to the EO.

As Halloween approaches, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) urges everyone to celebrate safely and keep fire hazards in mind while enjoying the season’s festivities. Decorations, costumes, and candles all add to the fun, but they can also increase the risk of fire and injuries if not handled carefully.

HB 767 makes wide-ranging updates to Illinois laws governing public health and pharmacy practices. It expands the duties of the Department of Public Health’s Medical Director, strengthens the Immunization Advisory Committee, and requires insurance coverage for vaccines and medical countermeasures recommended by the state. The bill also limits pharmacists from administering certain vaccines to children under age seven, increases oversight of pharmacy benefit managers, and provides a grant to a statewide pharmacy association. Additionally, beginning January 1, 2026, it will be an unfair insurance practice to solicit accident or health policies from seniors with diminished capacity or a health care power of attorney. Click on the title for additional information.

House Bill 577, as amended, would create the Immigration Safe Zones Act, directing the Attorney General to develop model policies by 2026 that limit state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in facilities such as schools, hospitals, libraries, Secretary of State offices, and courts. The measure also requires state agencies and publicly funded institutions to remove unnecessary questions about citizenship or immigration status from forms and applications, ensuring access to essential services for all Illinois residents regardless of immigration status. Click on the title for more information.

Labor and environmental groups are backing the Clean & Reliable Grid Affordability Act, a sweeping energy proposal under consideration during the General Assembly’s veto session. The bill would fund large-scale battery storage projects to stabilize electricity prices, expand renewable energy capacity, and give regulators greater authority to plan for Illinois’ long-term power needs. Supporters say the measure will create union jobs and strengthen the grid, while critics warn of higher costs for ratepayers. Click on the title to view the story.

A wide-ranging proposal to amend the Election Code and related statutes would update candidate filing timelines, expand accessibility for voters, and modernize election administration. The measure creates a pilot program for universal vote centers, requires curbside voting for individuals with disabilities, mandates online posting of election results, and authorizes electronic service of nomination objections. Counties would also need to adjust petition filing schedules, enhance election websites, and implement new accessibility and technology standards. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law. Click on the title for additional information.

A federal judge in San Francisco on Tuesday indefinitely barred the Trump administration from firing federal employees during the government shutdown, saying that labor unions were likely to prevail on their claims that the cuts were arbitrary and politically motivated.

Peoria County schools face growing uncertainty as the federal government shutdown persists. While no immediate impact has been felt, continued delays threaten vital programs. Special education, after-school initiatives, and school nutrition programs could all see funding cuts. The regional superintendent for Peoria County schools, Dr. George McKenna, highlighted the long-term uncertainty as the primary concern, noting that districts have not yet reduced programs.

Each fall, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) issues its Illinois Economic and Fiscal Policy report, which serves as the State of Illinois’ (Illinois or the ‘State’) primary long-term fiscal planning document and an early indicator of whether Illinois is structurally balanced heading into the next budget year. The 2025 edition of the report, released on October 9, 2025, about a month earlier than required by statute, signals an increasingly strained fiscal environment due to new federal policy changes, slowing economic conditions, and rising cost pressures from statutorily mandated spending.

The General Assembly will consider an amendment with language that would delay Cook County’s 2023 annual tax sale until mid-2026 and suspend interest on delinquent 2023 taxes for one year. While described as an administrative adjustment, the change also reflects Illinois’ cautious response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Tyler v. Hennepin County decision, which held that governments cannot keep surplus value from tax-foreclosed properties beyond what is owed. The delay provides Cook County and state lawmakers time to review and revise Illinois’ property tax sale process to ensure it complies with constitutional standards while protecting both taxpayers and local revenues. Click on the title for additional information.

Based on reporting from the Chicago Tribune, the repeal of federal solar tax incentives by President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” (H.R. 1) has triggered a year-end surge in rooftop solar installations across Illinois. ISACo is actively monitoring wind and solar technology issues and how they may impact local renewable energy markets and county-level siting considerations. Click on the title for additional information.

A new amendment was filed to the energy omnibus bill on October 21. Amendment 3 includes many of the provisions within previous versions of the bill, in addition to new language. One of the new provisions would create a Siting Appeals Board within the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to resolve disputes between counties and industry over siting authority. Click on the title to read an analysis of the bill.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced that 30 housing counseling agencies will receive $6 million in grant funding to expand financial education, pre-purchase homebuyer education, and foreclosure prevention counseling services for thousands of Illinois families.