ISACo

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting this year’s first confirmed case of measles in the state in an adult residing in the Metro East area. The individual recently returned from travel out of state. IDPH is working with local, state and federal health officials to investigate all potential locations where others may have been exposed to the individual while that person was infectious. One community location in Illinois has been identified so far: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville. People attending church on February 8 between 8:00am and 12:15pm were potentially exposed to measles.

As interest in locally grown food and community-based agriculture continues to rise, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is inviting individuals and families to take part in the 2026 IDOA Community Garden, a hands-on opportunity to grow fresh produce, build food security, and connect with agriculture in the heart of the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Nearly $40,000 in grants for 24 schoolyard habitat projects throughout Illinois have been awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Conservation Foundation for the 2026 application period.

The U.S. House has passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644) by a bipartisan 390–9 vote, marking the most significant federal housing reform effort in more than a decade. The bill would modernize key housing programs, streamline regulations and expand local flexibility for counties to address affordable and workforce housing needs. As the Senate prepares to consider its own proposal, counties are watching closely to ensure the final package preserves local flexibility, strong partnerships and practical tools to boost housing supply. Click on the title to read the article.

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.