Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will open the first two of 120 planned modular-built houses today, a little more than a year after the county board approved spending $12 million, or $100,000 per unit, to build the homes as new affordable housing options.

Ahead of Independence Day, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned a lost Purple Heart medal to the brother and granddaughter of a World War II veteran who earned it while fighting to liberate Europe. Frerichs reunited Army Private John L. Moore’s medal with Jerry Moore, his youngest brother, and Angie Holliger, Private Moore’s granddaughter, during a ceremony at the World War II Memorial in Decatur, where Jerry lives.

The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding taxpayers who missed the April 15, 2025, income tax filing deadline that it is not too late to file and that prompt action can help minimize penalties and interest if a balance is owed. “While the filing deadline has passed, the longer you wait, the more it could potentially cost you due to penalties and interest,” explained IDOR Director David Harris. “Whether you owe money or are due a refund, it is important to get your return filed and take that first step.”

The U.S. Senate has passed a revised version of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, moving the legislation to the House with a goal of final passage by July 4. While the bill includes several wins for counties—such as preserving tax-exempt bonds and delaying nursing home staffing rules—it also raises concerns around increased SNAP and Medicaid cost shifts. NACo has released a preliminary analysis and will host a webinar on July 7 to discuss key provisions and county impacts. Click on the title to read the story.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that $6.3 million in grant funding has been awarded to 36 grantees through three grant programs – the Route 66 Grant Program ($4 million), Tourism Attractions Grant Program ($1.7 million), and Tourism Private Sector Grant Program ($600,000) – as part of the state's continued effort to boost tourism and welcome more visitors to Illinois.