ISACo

Congress is beginning work on the next federal surface transportation bill, and the decisions made in Washington will have major consequences for Illinois counties. As policymakers consider shifting away from discretionary grants and toward more state-controlled formula funding, counties risk losing access to critical infrastructure dollars unless the system is fixed. This article outlines why counties are pushing for a fairer share, what changes are needed, and how ISACo and NACo are working to ensure counties aren’t left behind. Click on the title to read the story.

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability’s (COGFA) January 2026 Monthly Briefing offers a snapshot of Illinois’ fiscal health, highlighting strong estate tax growth, mixed General Funds revenue performance, declining federal revenue payments, and the impact of the state’s recent tax amnesty program. The report also reviews key economic indicators shaping revenue trends and budget planning for the remainder of FY 2026—making it essential reading for county officials tracking the state’s financial outlook. Click on the title to read the story.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) today announced it is advancing Phases 3 and 4 of CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment), bringing 16 additional license types onto the state’s modernized regulatory platform. The expansion marks a major step in transitioning from legacy systems to an integrated, enterprise-wide solution that supports the full lifecycle of professional regulation.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has been nationally recognized for its inventive approach to expanding affordable homeownership, earning a spot as a top 25 finalist for the 2026 Ivory Prize. Ivory Innovations announced that IHDA’s Access Plus down payment assistance program was selected from a competitive national pool of submissions for its potential to deliver scalable, real-world solutions to the housing affordability crisis.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced plans to distribute $3.6 million in fiscal year 2026 at the Everything Local conference in Springfield on Wednesday. The funds, which were appropriated in the FY26 state budget, will be used to support local food processing, aggregation, and distribution. Grants will be available for collaborative projects from $1,000 to $250,000 and for individual projects from $1,000 to $75,000.