ISACo

Illinois lawmakers continued their review of data center impacts, focusing on water usage, aquifer stress, and transparency gaps. Testimony highlighted tradeoffs between energy and water consumption, uneven groundwater oversight, and the need for clearer statewide standards as hyperscale facilities expand. Click on the title to read the story.

Reservations for campsites and shelters at Illinois state parks and historic sites will transition to an updated platform beginning May 1, offering park users a more user-friendly system for making reservations and securing permits. Users will continue to use exploremoreil.com – the customer service platform of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources – to make campsite and shelter reservations, but they will notice an improved interface.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 5.0 percent in February, up +0.1 percentage point from January, and up +0.3 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised January unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.

Stay informed on the latest legislative developments from Springfield. This report highlights ISACo-tracked bills that were approved by the House or Senate from April 13-17, 2026. Click on the link to read the report.

State lawmakers, utilities, and industry stakeholders convened to examine the rapid growth of data centers and their implications for Illinois’ electric grid, consumer costs, and long-term energy policy.