News

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate remained at 5.1 percent in June, unchanged from May, and up +0.8 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised May unemployment rate was 5.1 percent. Total nonfarm payrolls saw a fourth consecutive over-the-month increase in June, up +1,500 (0.0%) to 6,164,400. The May monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +6,000 to +4,100. The June payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.

The Chicago region is currently under an Air Pollution Action Day alert for ground-level ozone. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are reminding all Illinois residents to take into consideration each day’s daily air quality index to protect their health. This is especially pertinent at a time when North America is seeing increased wildfire intensity and frequency, and the smoke from these fires travel across the continent impacting more than the region of origin.

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced $195,000 in Charitable Trust grants to 10 nonprofit organizations across the state that provide food and housing to people in need. “Through these grants, we are lending a hand to people who are struggling to meet basic needs like food and shelter,” Treasurer Frerichs said at a news conference in Chicago. “We recognize that people are faced with higher housing costs and grocery prices while the federal government is abandoning its responsibilities. We are proud to team up with these nonprofit organizations that strengthen their communities by diligently working to improve the lives of Illinoisans in need.”

The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) released their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Tracker for the Class of 2026, and Illinois is now ranked second in the nation and first in the Midwest for completion of the FAFSA — the highest position and the highest rate (71.4%) ever for an Illinois high school graduating class. “Illinois’ increase in FAFSA completion is a testament to the hard work of students, families and educators – and a clear demonstration that the state’s continued efforts to expand awareness, remove barriers, and connect students with financial aid are making a real difference,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Every completed FAFSA represents a world of opportunity opened and brings Illinois a step closer to making educational attainment a reality for every student in every corner of our state.”

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs' measure to expand investment opportunities for non-profit organizations across the state is now law after Gov. JB Pritzker recently signed the bill. Senate Bill 2968 creates the Non-Profit Investment Pool, a safe and efficient investment option allowing eligible nonprofits to make the most of available funds while reducing administrative burdens. The law is intended to help nonprofits strengthen their financial stability and maximize resources that support communities throughout the state.

The Illinois Finance Authority (IFA), in its role as the Illinois Climate Bank, announced today that the first electric vehicle (EV) chargers funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Grant Program are officially online in central Illinois. The sites, located in the City of Springfield and the City of Charleston, are the first of many in the area that will feature Level 2 and Level 3 DC Fast Charging (DCFC) ports.

Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a measure allowing residents of assisted living and shared housing establishments to exercise the right to use electronic monitoring, meant to enhance transparency and resident safety. A similar law allowing cameras in residents’ rooms in nursing homes has existed in Illinois since 2016. “This new law allows assisted living residents to install a video and/or audio recording device in their room, allowing added peace of mind for them and their family members," said Illinois State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Ke

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board approved awards totaling $37 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and an additional $39 million in federal and state subordinate resources that will finance the creation and preservation of 22 affordable housing developments in 15 counties throughout Illinois. The LIHTC awards are expected to generate an estimated $303 million in private capital to support the development of 969 affordable homes for low- to moderate-income families, seniors, and veterans.

Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 315, the Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act, on July 6. The law establishes new safety, transparency, incident reporting and independent audit requirements for large frontier AI developers. While the law primarily regulates major AI companies, counties using or considering AI tools are encouraged to monitor the state’s evolving standards for transparency, cybersecurity, vendor accountability and risk management. Click on the link to read the article.

Counties across the nation are closely monitoring a sweeping federal proposal that could significantly reshape how local governments receive, administer, and comply with federal grant requirements. During a recent NACo briefing attended by ISACo, county leaders were advised that the proposed Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rule would dramatically expand federal oversight, increase administrative responsibilities, and introduce new compliance standards affecting nearly every type of federal funding. Read more about the proposal and what counties should know. Click on the title to read the article.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding organizations and individuals sponsoring fireworks displays in Illinois to be sure their fireworks vendor has the required state licenses and certificates issued by IDNR and the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) before their fireworks show. The Illinois Explosives Act requires that anyone who purchases, possesses, uses, transfers, stores or disposes of explosives, including display fireworks, must have an explosives license and explosives storage certificate issued by the IDNR.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, grants through Aug. 31. A total of $37.5 million is available for this round of OSLAD grants. IDNR will again provide funding to cover 100% of eligible projects in economically distressed communities. In the most recent round of OSLAD awards announced in January, 20 underserved locations received grants for local park projects.

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) officially begins operations as Illinois’ first agency focused entirely on early childhood programs and services. The agency joins together programs previously administered by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD).

The world’s fastest dirt track draws more than racing fans to the Illinois State Fairgrounds each summer. Tucked in the south end of the infield is the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) Community Garden, which was celebrated today with a proclamation from Governor JB Pritzker. Community Garden Day in Springfield drew a crowd of gardeners, local and state officials, community partners and others to the carefully tended plots. The Illinois Department of Agriculture is the only agriculture department in the nation to offer a community garden on its grounds.

The 2026 Illinois State Fair theme ‘Miles of Smiles’ celebrates the 100th anniversary of historic Route 66. The road to the Illinois State Fair officially begins with a state tradition: the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade, starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 13. The parade kicks off the 11-day celebration of Illinois agriculture, community, and creativity, winding through Springfield streets and into the heart of the fairgrounds. From high school bands and community groups to classic cars and creative floats, the Twilight Parade is an annual tradition. The Illinois State Fair is currently accepting parade entries through July 6. For more information, visit statefair.illinois.gov or call the Special Events office at 217.782.0777.

House Bill 5391, as amended, would create the Government Reporting Enhancement and Transparency Act, replacing Illinois' current patchwork of local government audit statutes with a new statewide reporting framework. The legislation establishes four reporting categories based on annual external cash receipts, creates new financial reporting and audit requirements, expands the Comptroller's oversight responsibilities, and phases in implementation beginning with fiscal years after December 31, 2027. The accompanying analysis highlights the bill's major provisions and its potential impact on Illinois counties. Click on the title to read an analysis of the legislation.

ISACo has sent a letter to Illinois' congressional delegation urging lawmakers to oppose a proposal that would allow states to permit heavier commercial trucks on interstate highways. The association warns the provision could increase costs for county-owned roads and bridges while shifting additional infrastructure burdens to local governments. Click on the title for more information.

The USDA is seeking comments by August 10, 2026, on proposed updates to regulations implementing the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act, known as AFIDA. The proposal builds on USDA’s online reporting portal for foreign-owned agricultural land transactions and may be of interest to rural counties, recorders, assessors, land-use officials and agricultural stakeholders concerned with farmland ownership transparency. Click on the title for more information.

HUD’s FY 2026 Continuum of Care Program Notice of Funding Opportunity remains open, with applications due by August 26, 2026. NACo reports that the NOFO changes the funding structure by reducing the share of protected renewal funding and placing more funds into a competitive process. Counties and regional homelessness partners may wish to review the notice and assess potential impacts on housing, behavioral health, veterans services and homelessness response programs. Click the title for more information.

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs unveiled a new community investment program designed to build affordable housing, help nonprofits, and generate returns for the state. Frerichs invested $10 million with IFF, a Chicago-based Community Development Financial Institution that promotes economic development by providing financing and real estate consulting across the Midwest to nonprofits and people underserved by traditional financial institutions, particularly in low-income communities.

Congress has passed a bipartisan federal housing reform package that includes several county priorities, according to the National Association of Counties. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes provisions intended to improve access to disaster recovery funding, protect community development resources and provide additional flexibility for locally administered housing programs. ISACo will monitor implementation of the legislation and share additional information relevant to Illinois counties.

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is offering Peoples Gas customers an in-person opportunity to provide comments on the utility’s proposed general rate increase. The public and media are invited to attend the public comment forum on Wednesday, July 15th in Chicago.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) celebrated Incobrasa Industries’ new soybean processing plant and solar array in Gilman, reinforcing Illinois' position as the nation's leading soybean-producing state and a growing hub for biofuels, food processing, and advanced agricultural manufacturing.

The Illinois Department of Revenue has issued an informational bulletin summarizing local sales tax rate changes that will take effect on July 1, 2026. The bulletin includes changes involving business district sales tax, county public safety tax, home rule municipal sales tax, Metro-East Mass Transit District sales tax and non-home-rule municipal sales tax. County administrators, treasurers, finance officers and retailers may wish to review the bulletin for any changes affecting their jurisdictions. Click on the title to read the article.

The federal Office of Management and Budget is seeking comments on a proposed rule that would revise federal grant administration requirements. The proposal could affect how counties manage federal funds, including budgeting, procurement, compliance, reporting and audits. Comments are due by July 13, 2026. Click on the title to read the article.