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The Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Homeownership Department (IHDA Mortgage) announced the recipients of its annual Lender and Loan Officer Awards, recognizing the banks, mortgage lenders, credit unions, and loan officers who assisted the most homebuyers using IHDA Mortgage programs in 2025. “IHDA’s programs make a meaningful difference for families who may not otherwise have access to affordable mortgage financing,” said IHDA Executive Director Kristin Faust. “Down payment assistance can be the deciding factor between continuing to rent and finally purchasing a home. Our partners are on the front lines, working one-on-one with families to navigate the mortgage process and access critical down payment assistance. Together, we are not just closing loans, we are opening doors to long-term financial stability, generational wealth, and stronger communities across Illinois.”

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today unveiled nearly $200,000 in Charitable Trust grants to 10 small nonprofits that help people stay in their homes and get job training. “We are helping people who need a helping hand at a time when so many folks are struggling due to higher costs and as our federal government yanks away lifelines,” Treasurer Frerichs said at a news conference at Rockford. “I’m proud to partner with nonprofit organizations that tirelessly work to improve the lives of Illinoisans in need and make our communities better places to live.”

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate Black History Month and honor leaders in the African American community. The event, held at the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office in the Marine Bank Building in downtown Springfield, was an opportunity to reflect on the great achievements of Black leaders. The eight Downstate Illinois honorees included a Springfield dentist, the CEO and President of the Springfield Urban League, the superintendent of Decatur Public Schools, the mayor of Carbondale, a labor leader from Belleville, the head girls basketball coach at Lanphier High School in Springfield, an award-winning children’s book author from O’Fallon, and the president of NAACP Peoria.

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission is pleased to introduce its new Licensing & Compliance Portal, a modern, unified system designed to streamline application, renewal, and compliance management for licensees statewide. As we begin implementation, licensees may notice temporary adjustments to workflows and processing timelines during the first 90 days. This transition period is a planned and important part of launching a new system of this scale. Throughout this phase, the ILCC will closely monitor performance, incorporate user feedback, and make targeted refinements to ensure the portal functions efficiently and effectively.

As artificial intelligence increasingly reshapes the modern workplace, Illinois has taken a proactive stance to ensure these technologies do not compromise equity or transparency. Effective January 1, 2026, the Illinois Human Rights Act was expanded via HB 3773 (P.A. 103-0804) to specifically regulate AI’s role in employment decisions, from recruitment to discharge. Click on the title for a summary outlining the Department of Human Rights' newly drafted compliance framework, detailing the essential notice requirements, prohibited practices, and recordkeeping duties that every Illinois employer must now navigate to remain compliant in this new digital landscape.