News

The Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA) is pleased to announce the opening of the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) Master/Apprentice Program. The application is open in the Illinois Arts Council's online Salesforce system and has a deadline of December 1, 2023, at 11:59 PM central time and the awards will be announced in the spring of 2024.

Entering Year Five of Rebuild Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced multiple projects in the east Lake County area are planned or underway, highlighting an ongoing commitment made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker's historic, bipartisan capital program. Seven major projects represent a total investment of more than $41 million, improving safety, mobility and quality of life while sustaining and creating good-paying jobs throughout the region.

Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in eleven metropolitan areas, decreased in two and was unchanged in one for the year ending August 2023, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in thirteen metropolitan areas and decreased in one.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board approved $19 million to support affordable housing and community revitalization efforts across Illinois. Awarded under the Strong Communities Program (SCP), the initiative will provide funding to 68 units of local governments and land bank authorities for the acquisition, maintenance, rehabilitation, and demolition of abandoned residential properties in their communities. The program is designed to support local revitalization efforts and attract further investment in communities that may lack the resources needed to tackle vacant, abandoned and deteriorated properties.

In courtrooms around the state early this week, judges conducted the first hearings under a new system that determines whether a defendant will be jailed while awaiting trial based on dangerousness and risk of fleeing prosecution, rather than their ability to post bail.

Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed September 18-24, 2023, Rail Safety Week in Illinois, marking the 10th year of the statewide awareness initiative. In recognition, the Illinois Commerce Commission and Operation Lifesaver, a national rail safety non-profit, will be conducting a week-long safety blitz across the state to share rail safety facts, tips, and resources to keep motorists and pedestrians safe around railroad tracks.

The Illinois State Police (ISP) has filed an emergency rule with the Illinois Secretary of State to implement the Protect Illinois Communities Act (Act). On January 10, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Public Act 102-1116 regulating the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches in Illinois. The Act went into effect immediately upon signing. Individuals who possessed an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge before the Act took effect are required to submit an endorsement affidavit through their Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) Card account prior to January 1, 2024. A copy of the emergency rule will be posted on this page www.isp.illinois.gov/Home/AssaultWeapons.

September is Food Safety Education Month, and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is offering tips on ensuring that your Game Day plans are not marred by improperly cooked or handled food. Safe preparation and service of food items is key to preventing the spread of foodborne illness.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) today announced the application period is open for the Small Equipment Grant Program. The OSFM will award $4 million to eligible fire departments and ambulance services for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. All interested departments should send an application to OSFM electronically or postmarked no later than December 15, 2023.

James Zay had been listening for an-hour-and-half, an exasperated smile flashing intermittently across his face, before he raised his hand to speak. Zay, a DuPage County board member, was participating in a special board meeting where, one-by-one, county officials laid out the millions of extra costs they were anticipating in the coming years because of sweeping criminal justice reforms recently signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker. “I am just sitting here astounded,” Zay said after he was called on. “I mean, this is going to have a major effect on county government and guess what, other aspects of county government are going to suffer because of this, because we don’t have the money.”

The Illinois Gaming Board (the “IGB” or “Board”) marked an historic summer overseeing the opening of three newly authorized casinos and a new sportsbook, among other significant actions as reported during today’s September meeting.

The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) has been selected as a finalist for the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) awards that will be announced during their annual conference in October.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate increased +0.1 percentage point to 4.1 percent, while nonfarm payrolls were almost unchanged, down -100, in August, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. August total nonfarm payrolls remained above the pre-pandemic number of total nonfarm payroll jobs. The July revised unemployment rate was 4.0 percent, unchanged from the preliminary July unemployment rate. The July monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +11,200 to +3,400 jobs. The August unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.

The Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) and five state Departments of Insurance* took action this week to increase protections for millions of health insurance consumers. The state DOIs sent a signed letter in support of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed rule to restrict Short-Term Limited Duration Insurance (STLDI) and fixed indemnity insurance plans which do not provide comprehensive health coverage and are not subject to many of the consumer protections that apply to health insurance coverage.

The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has once again been honored with the prestigious "Leading the Way" Aetna Workplace Wellness Award for 2023. For the second year in a row, CMS achieved the Platinum level, the award's most coveted recognition. This accolade is presented to employers who not only maintain but also enhance the quality of the workplace environment by continually integrating effective programming, tools, and resources tailored to each individual's well-being journey.

National Sober Day is recognized each year on September 14th as a day to celebrate those who have broken the habit of alcohol addiction and to raise awareness about the harmful effects of misusing alcohol.

Further bolstering Illinois’ commitment to ending firearm violence, Governor JB Pritzker today announced new leadership for the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP), a statewide initiative housed within the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).

The Illinois Treasurer will be mailing more than 66,000 people in Illinois checks for up to $5,000 in unclaimed property.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today endorsed the recommendation by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the newly FDA-approved COVID-19 shots for everyone over the age of 6 months. The federal agencies have given the green light for updated mRNA vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer that target the currently circulating strains of the COVID-19 virus.

The State of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15 by honoring the important contributions of Latino entrepreneurs and business owners, and Illinois' Latino communities at-large. The celebrations kick off on September 14 with National Support Latino Business Day, and will continue through mid-October with events, business highlights, and efforts to bring awareness to the positive impact of Latino communities in Illinois.

September is Campus Fire Safety Month and Illinois joins numerous states across the country to raise awareness of fire safety in on and off-campus housing. Governor JB Pritzker has again this year proclaimed September as Campus Fire Safety Month in Illinois. This month is a time for universities and colleges to work with their local fire departments to ensure students reside in a fire-safe living environment and are provided fire safety information.

The Illinois/Wisconsin Interoperable Communications Exercise (IWIC) is planned for the North Dunes Nature Preserve and Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, Illinois on Wednesday September 13, 2023. This cross-border exercise is intended to test emergency communication capabilities with response personnel from Illinois and Wisconsin.

Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced record-setting attendance totals for the 2023 Illinois State Fair. The more than 700,000 attendees over the 11-day event make the 2023 fair the most highly attended fair since industry standards were enacted.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that more than $11.4 million is being invested via 30 grants for local initiatives and activities to support the planning efforts of long-range transportation projects across the state.

On September 8, Governor JB Pritzker announced the upcoming departure of Deputy Governor Sol Flores, who has served as Deputy Governor for Health and Human Services since the beginning of the Governor’s first term in January of 2019. The Deputy Governor position will be filled by Grace Hou, current Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Prior to serving as Deputy Governor, Flores was the founding Executive Director of La Casa Norte, a non-profit organization established in 2002 serving youth and families confronting homelessness.