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Following the passage of Governor JB Pritzker's seventh consecutive balanced budget, the State of Illinois today highlighted a historic $500 million investment in site readiness—marking a bold step forward in transforming unused state properties into hubs of economic opportunity. This investment—which represents the largest site readiness investment in state history—will prepare sites across the state to attract new industries, create jobs, and bring new life to communities that have long been impacted by shuttered or unused facilities.

SPRINGFIELD – Giving almost no time for public review, Illinois Democrats pushed through a $55.2 billion budget for next fiscal year late Saturday, bolstering coffers with new taxes on sports bets, nicotine products and businesses. The $55.2 billion spending plan is supported by $55.3 billion of revenue, including just over $1 billion in new taxes and revenue changes.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is joining Illinoisans in celebrating 2025 Pride Month throughout the month of June by showcasing programs and services that improve the health and wellness of the state’s diverse LGBTQIA+ community. A highlight of the 2025 Pride Month in Illinois is Chicago’s Pride Parade on June 29. IDPH will be hosting a contingent marching in the parade, which this year features the theme “United in Pride.” More information on Pride festivals around across the state can be found at Pride Festivals in Illinois | Enjoy Illinois.

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Acting Director James Jennings today announced a funding opportunity through the new Overflow and Sewer Grant (OSG) program. The OSG program was created to assist local governments with infrastructure needs to address combined sewer overflows (CSO), sanitary sewer overflows (SSO), and stormwater management to improve water quality and protect local water resources. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been posted Illinois EPA website. “Many communities are challenged by frequent sanitary or combined sewer overflows, which can cause property damage and negatively impact area water resources,” said Acting Director Jennings. “This new funding opportunity provides a financial resource for communities working to address the root cause of flooding experienced during heavy rainfall events.”

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is sharing the following upcoming events and noteworthy items for June. June 1 Champagne British Car Festival David Davis Mansion State Historic Site Bloomington | McLean County More than 100 vehicles of various makes, models, and years manufactured in the United Kingdom are the focus of this popular summer event at the David Davis Mansion State Historic Site, co-sponsored by the Illinois Flat Land British Car Club. Visitors will enjoy live music and concessions on the mansion lawn while wandering through endless rows of cars and motorcycles, including Jaguar, MG, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Triumph, Austin-Healey, Cobra, Lotus, Mini, Rootes, and more. View upcoming events at David Davis Mansion online.

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is alerting Illinoisans on ways to keep cool and offset coming energy price spikes. Summer costs are expected to rise June 1 for ComEd and Ameren customers alike following a regional increase in energy supply prices. “Energy affordability is always top of mind at the ICC, and we want ratepayers to be aware of higher summertime rates so they can safely plan to reduce energy usage and improve energy efficiency around their homes,” said Jonathan Feipel, Executive Director for the Illinois Commerce Commission. “Higher energy supply rates are not unique to Illinois. Unfortunately, electric consumers from Louisiana to Minnesota will be paying more for electricity—not due to state policy decisions, but regional supply and demand.”

–State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is recognizing 529 Day on May 29 by reminding Illinois families that now is always a good time to save for a child’s future education by opening or adding to a Bright Start 529 account. “When a child knows he or she has a college savings plan, that child is three times more likely to attend college,” Frerichs said. “When an adult opens and contributes to a child’s savings account, it sends a powerful message to the child, ‘I believe in you.’” Bright Start is a 529 College Savings plan that can be used at eligible educational institutions, including public and private schools; two-year and four-year colleges and universities; technical and vocational schools; and registered apprenticeship programs. Illinois taxpayers receive tax benefits for contributing to an Illinois 529 plan and the investment grows tax-free when spent on qualified expenses. Families have the option to open a Bright Start 529 account online or, for those who prefer to work with a financial advisor, Treasurer Frerichs also administers the Bright Directions Advisor-Guided 529 College Savings plan.

The Illinois State Fair Box Office opens for in-person ticket purchases Monday, June 2. Regular box office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For one day only, June 2, all in-person buyers will receive one free adult admission ticket for every concert and/or event ticket purchased, making entrance to the fair free. This is a one-day only offer and only applicable for in-person sales. In addition, the first 50 in-person customers will receive a free State Fair Foodie Pass – which includes gift certificates for mini donuts from The Donut Family, Cullers Fries and Vose’s Korndogs that can be redeemed during the Illinois State Fair.

In an effort to expand the availability of fresh, locally-grown produce and strengthen the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crop industry, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) plans to distribute more than $679,000 over a three-year period thanks to funding allocated in the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program. An application for grant funding is available on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website and must be returned to the Department by 11:59 p.m. on June 23, 2025. To be eligible for funding, all projects must begin in calendar year 2026. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, local and government entities, trade and commodity associations, public and private colleges/universities. Illinois encourages applications that benefit smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, underserved producers, veteran producers and underserved communities. “Illinois’ specialty crop industry is robust, providing diverse opportunities statewide,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “Specialty Crop Block Grant funds bolster research at our world-class universities and support non-profits’ efforts to provide hands-on agriculture experience for students in Illinois.” To encourage further expansion of this industry, and to take full advantage of the allocated federal funds, the Department invites the development of projects pertaining to the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry:

Ahead of Memorial Day, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced the return of a Purple Heart medal to the grandson of a late World War II Army veteran from Lansing, Ill. Army Cpl. Henry Van Der Noord was one of four brothers who fought for the U.S. during World War II, with all of them making it home. He earned the Purple Heart for wounds he suffered during the fight to liberate the Philippines in May 1945. “Mr. Van Der Noord and his brothers served their country proudly during a crucial time in our world’s history,” Frerichs said while returning the Purple Heart to Van Der Noord’s grandson, Christopher Reed, also a veteran. “I am proud to return this honor to his loving family.”

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced the conditional award of more than $50 million in state and federal funding to spur the development of permanent supportive housing throughout Illinois. These critical investments will enable the construction or rehabilitation of seven developments, creating 129 units of affordable housing integrated with comprehensive services to help vulnerable individuals and families attain stable housing. Awardees were selected after a competitive application and review process and approved by IHDA’s Board.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today nonfarm payrolls increased +4,100 (+0.1%) over-the-month to a new record high of 6,172,500 in April. The previous record was set in last month, with 6,168,400 jobs. Additionally, the March monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report of +14,800 to +10,900. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.8 percent in April, while the revised unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, unchanged from the preliminary March unemployment rate. The April payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting that the first mosquito pool of the year to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) this year was collected on May 9 in Rockford by the Winnebago County Health Department. The specimen tested positive for WNV on May 12. “The news of the first batch of mosquitos carrying West Nile virus is a reminder for Illinois residents to begin protecting themselves from diseases caused by mosquito and tick bites,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “The best defense against West Nile virus is to practice the ‘Three R’s’: reduce, repel, and report’. IDPH urges everyone, and especially those who are older or have weakened immune systems, to ‘Fight the Bite’ and protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes and the viruses they carry.” Last year in Illinois, IDPH reported that 72 counties around the state reported positive tests for WNV in mosquitos, birds, horses or humans. There were 69 confirmed human cases of WNV according to IDPH data and 13 human deaths, the highest number since 17 deaths were recorded in 2018.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is providing notification to the owners and operators of ten Community Water Systems (CWS) that have been identified as having an emergency connection to a CWS that was previously notified of the detection of one or more Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) at levels exceeding newly enacted groundwater quality standards. The ten CWS only utilize the emergency connection in the event of a water emergency. A list of the ten systems is included with this notification.

Illinois Department of Revenue sent this bulletin at 05/12/2025 12:53 PM CDT

Governor JB Pritzker, Damera Corporation and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced the company will open its first U.S. assembly plant in the Greater Peoria region. Damera Corporation (Damera Bus USA LLC in the U.S.) plans to make a capital investment of more than $31.5 million over four years with support from a Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) agreement, which will enable the company to expand into Illinois and create 90 new full-time jobs. The announcement was made with Governor Pritzker and Damera leadership in Washington DC as part of a larger business development trip.

With warmer weather comes “tick season” and the annual observance of National Lyme Disease Awareness Month throughout the month of May. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging the public to learn how to protect themselves from ticks and Lyme disease. “Lyme disease is a serious bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of infected ticks,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Lyme Disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States affecting more than 500,000 people nationally each year. As the summer approaches, I encourage our residents to learn to ‘Fight the Bite’ and protect yourself and your loved ones from tickborne illnesses. If you have been in wooded or high grassy areas and are experiencing symptoms – fever, fatigue, headache and a circular rash – see your health care provider immediately.”

On April 16, 2025, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) and the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) closed the State of Illinois Clean Water Initiative Revolving Fund Revenue and Refunding Bonds, Series 2025 (Green Bonds), and successfully yield $544.2 million of proceeds for Illinois EPA’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) Programs. “Illinois continues to receive strong bids from the bond market, amid the economic uncertainty being created on the federal level,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our strong fiscal discipline is allowing us to save taxpayers money, while also providing local governments the capital to replace lead pipes and create economic opportunities across the state.”

- Illinois is taking action against the nation’s top health agency and its plan to compile information on people with autism. Governor JB Pritzker signed an executive order Wednesday that restricts state agencies and departments from sharing personal information about people with autism. It states that personally identifiable information may only be shared when legally required, necessary for care, or with written consent. The Governor’s office said the executive order made Illinois the first state to make that restriction. The order is Pritzker’s response to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s plan to collect information for autism research through sources like pharmacy chains and personal devices.

ISACo tracks and reviews all newly filed amendments each session day. Click on the title of this post for a report about county-relevant amendments filed in the Illinois General Assembly on May 6 and 7, 2025. Each report lists the amendments that could affect county government and includes a brief and preliminary summary of the amendments.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship grants through June 13, 2025. Eligible applicants are conservation land trusts exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code and whose originating documents include in its purposes the restoration and stewardship of land for conservation purposes. The goal of the grant program is to increase the delivery of much-needed stewardship activities to natural areas protected within the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) system. Stewardship needs at natural areas throughout the state have continued to outpace the ability to deliver these services by individuals, volunteers, organizations, and government agencies. This grant program is designed to fund projects that immediately address this deficiency and begin to expand on the stewardship capacity of conservation land trusts through grants that will expand their staff and equipment for these activities.

Six measles cases are confirmed in Illinois so far this year, including two new cases in Southern Illinois confirmed over the weekend, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced Monday. Three linked cases in Franklin and Williamson counties meet the Center for Disease Control's technical definition of an outbreak.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) encourages farmers and agrichemical facilities to take part in a free agrichemical container recycling program. Beginning in the middle of July and continuing into August, sites throughout the state will collect containers that are recycled to make shipping pallets.

The Chicago Department of Public Health and Cook County Department of Public Health have identified two confirmed cases of measles. These are the first two cases in Cook County this year. One case was identified as an adult who is a suburban Cook County resident, and whose vaccination status is unknown. They presented to a local Hospital for medical care on Monday, April 28 and was quickly isolated. Another case was identified in an adult Chicago resident who traveled internationally through O’Hare Airport in early April. The individual had 1 prior dose of MMR vaccine. This patient had rash onset on April 25 and has been isolated at home since being diagnosed. All persons 12 months of age or older who plan to travel internationally should ensure that they have received 2 doses of MMR at least 2 weeks prior to travel, or other evidence of immunity. The health departments are working together collaboratively to identify and notify people who may have been exposed. The Cook County Department of Public Health is investigating the Suburban Cook County case, and the City of Chicago Department of Public Health is investigating the Chicago case.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is sharing the following upcoming events and noteworthy items for May. May 1 Illinois History Day Springfield | Sangamon County The Illinois State Museum hosts Illinois History Day at the Bank of Springfield Center. Regional finalists will compete for a chance to go to the national competition in Washington D.C.