News

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced a new grant program to help volunteer groups battling hunger and food insecurity in the wake of federal government cuts to critical food programs. Charitable Trust Hunger Relief Grants provide up to $5,000 to volunteer-driven food pantries, soup kitchens, and similar nonprofit organizations with no full-time employees.

The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB), in partnership with the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), issued a pre-advertisement for the 'RISE IDOC: Rehabilitation and Restoration Inside Safe Environments' (RISE IDOC) initiative seeking a Progressive Design Build Entity with demonstrated project experience designing and constructing correctional facilities for public agencies. The Progressive Design Build Entity will construct two new multi-level security facilities in Crest Hill, Illinois, including design features that focus on creating rehabilitative and gender-responsive spaces with housing, education, programming, medical and mental health, dietary, and recreational areas to support the successful re-entry of individuals into their communities.

June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month, when we raise awareness, provide resources, and offer support to those challenged with the symptoms of PTSD. Currently, 12 million people in the United States are diagnosed with PTSD. Veterans are more likely to experience PTSD, particularly those who have been deployed to a war zone or are struggling with their transition to civilian life. To protect our veterans, we must raise awareness and engagement in recovery.

Did you know that in a recent survey of pet owners who had to evacuate their homes in a disaster, nearly half left at least one pet behind? And 83 percent of those pet owners reported living in a community that faces a natural disaster? These statistics from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ACPCA) show how important it is to include your pets in your evacuation plan and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA OHS) has tips on how to do that. This is a good time to do that because June is National Pet Preparedness Month.

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced the recipients of the 2026 Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $6 million was awarded to 260 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state. The program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment.

Senate Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 1700 brings significant shifts to local governance by granting counties the optional authority to adopt the Illinois Stretch Energy Code while significantly narrowing local zoning controls over disputed renewable energy facilities. Click on the title to read a policy breakdown of this ISACo-opposed amendment.

Following the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County, the Illinois General Assembly is considering changes to property tax enforcement. Click on the title to read this article about how House Bill 4537, supported by ISACo, transitions the state away from "absolute forfeiture" to protect private property equity and what this means for county administrative responsibilities.

The Illinois House Executive Committee held a nearly two-hour subject matter hearing on May 26, 2026, examining the impacts of data center growth on Illinois’ electric grid, water resources, utility rates, and economic development. Utilities, regional grid operators, environmental advocates, academic experts, and industry representatives offered sharply differing perspectives on the proposed “Power Act” and how Illinois should manage rapidly increasing electricity demand tied to hyperscale data centers. Click on the title to read the article.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $5 million is available in tourism funding through three grant programs: the Route 66 Grant Program ($2 million), the International Tourism Grant Program ($1 million), and the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program ($2 million). Eligible entities can apply for grants to promote and preserve the historic Route 66 corridor through the Route 66 Grant Program, grants to promote Illinois to international visitors through the International Tourism Grant Program, and grants to develop attractions, destinations, and events through the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program in an effort to boost tourism and welcome more visitors to Illinois. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.

ISACo Executive Director Joe McCoy issued a statement critical of Illinois' wind and solar siting law following the approval of a 6,100-acre solar farm in Will County. At issue is the provision in the law requiring county boards to hold public hearings and cast votes to approve wind and solar developments despite having no meaningful decision-making authority if a project meets the requirements of state law. Click on the title to read the statement.

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director James Jennings today announced another round of annual funding to provide grants to units of local government for the collection and proper disposal of household sharps from their residents. Sharps, including needles, syringes, and lancets, collected from private citizens are a household waste. Through the grant program, Illinois EPA reimburses grantees that operate a sharps collection station as defined in Section 3.458 of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been posted on the Illinois EPA website.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in April, unchanged from March, and up +0.6 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised March unemployment rate was 5.1 percent.

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to the summer boating season, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Illinois Conservation Police are urging people to wear life jackets anytime they’re on the water and to only operate boats while sober.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for Natural Areas Stewardship grants through June 12. The grants support projects that promote the stewardship of Illinois’ natural areas.

In a major step toward reducing homelessness and expanding access to stable housing, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) today announced $50 million in state and federal funding to support six new permanent supportive housing developments across Illinois. The investments will create 142 units of affordable housing paired with on-site services for individuals and families living with disabilities, experiencing homelessness, or at risk of housing instability.

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are honoring EMS personnel across the state during the 52nd annual EMS week which is May 17-23. This year’s them is Improving Outcomes, Together, which focuses on not only patient outcomes, but also the well-being of our EMS providers.

In a major step toward reducing homelessness and expanding access to stable housing, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) today announced $50 million in state and federal funding to support six new permanent supportive housing developments across Illinois. The investments will create 142 units of affordable housing paired with on-site services for individuals and families living with disabilities, experiencing homelessness, or at risk of housing instability.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $2.5 million in funding is available for the second round of the Economic Empowerment Centers (EEC) Grant Program. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.

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.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $56 million in funding is available for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) for Public Infrastructure ($25 million), Housing Rehabilitation ($15 million), Community Revitalization ($13 million), and Emergency Assistance ($3 million). Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced lower fees and technology improvements for employers and savers of the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program, which will take effect in June 2026.

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has recovered significant unpaid wages and assessed penalties against three employers found in violation of the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (PWA), reinforcing the agency’s commitment to protecting workers and ensuring a level playing field for law-abiding contractors. In separate enforcement actions, IDOL recovered a combined total of more than $398,000 in back wages for 29 workers.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) will distribute more than $796,000 over the next three years to expand access to fresh, locally grown produce and boost the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crop industry. This funding is made possible through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. An application for grant funding will be available this week on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website and must be returned to the Department by noon on June 5, 2026. The program will run from September 30, 2026 through September 29, 2029.

The Illinois State Museum (ISM) invites the public to get their kicks at a new "Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66" exhibit opening Saturday, May 23. The exhibition brings to life the experience of living, working and traveling along U.S. Route 66 during its heyday.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) is asking local community members, residents, and leaders to participate in the development of the 2027 Illinois Housing Blueprint (Blueprint) through two opportunities: (1) take the resident survey and/or (2) attend a Community Listening Session. The Blueprint is a forward-thinking, grassroots planning initiative designed by IHDA to provide a deeper analysis of the trends and priorities around housing at a regional level that will shape the future of housing policy and investment in Illinois in the years to come.