News

On September 16, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee advanced its version of the 2026 Farm Bill, including provisions affecting rural infrastructure, water and wastewater systems, health care, childcare, broadband, conservation and access to USDA assistance. ISACo highlights key provisions of interest to Illinois counties as the legislation moves forward in Congress. Click on the title to read the article.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in August, down -0.2 percentage point from July, and up +0.4 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised July unemployment rate was 4.9 percent. Total nonfarm payrolls decreased over-the-month in August, down -4,400 (-0.1%) to 6,175,600. The July monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +11,700 to +15,300. The August payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation today announced the launch of a new campaign designed to immediately connect the public to lifesaving information about the Illinois Newborn Infant Protection Act, commonly referred to as the Baby Safe Haven Law. This critical law provides parents in crisis with a safe, anonymous and legal alternative to infant abandonment. Under the law, a parent may hand an unharmed newborn, up to 30 days old, to staff at a designated safe haven and walk away – no questions asked and without fear of prosecution.

Access to phone and broadband service is vital for keeping residents plugged into emergency services and local resources. September 13-19, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), along with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), and National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) are promoting Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week. Lifeline offers monthly discounts to help eligible residents access voice or broadband services.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (ID-FPR) issued medical cannabis dispensary licenses to 37 existing dispensaries which, beginning to-day, may serve both adult use customers and medical patients at the same location. Providing existing dis-pensaries with the ability to opt-in for a medical dispensary license greatly increases patient access across the state, while also eliminating unnecessary red tape for regulators and consumers alike. This change also allows newer dispensaries issued under social equity lotteries the chance to serve medical patients, level-ing the playing field for small businesses.

The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked new federal mail ballot requirements from taking effect ahead of the November 3 general election, allowing Illinois county election officials to continue preparations under existing procedures. Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon, Governor JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul welcomed the decision, which avoids significant changes to ballot mail procedures just weeks before Election Day. Click on the title to read the article.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced over $26 million in available grant funding for the Illinois Grocery Initiative. This includes funding for the New Stores ($20.8 million) and Equipment Upgrades Grant Programs ($750,000). Illinois is also launching the new Grocery Rescue Program ($4.5 million), geared toward helping reopen grocery stores that have closed in the last year. Applications are open and grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. “Local grocery stores are the backbone of communities across the state – keeping our people healthy and fed, growing local economies, and keeping our neighborhoods thriving,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This latest round of funding from the Illinois Grocery Initiative will keep quality, affordable groceries close to home for Illinois families while supporting small businesses across the state.”

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released the Illinois Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP). The report builds on the state’s Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP), which the agency submitted to U.S. EPA in 2024 as part of the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. The Illinois EPA won a $430 million grant under the CPRG program to implement programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Following broad public outreach, the CCAP provides an actionable roadmap to meet Illinois’ carbon reduction goals. Analysis in the Plan found that Illinois has reduced planet-warming greenhouse gas pollution by 32% since 2005, but more action will be needed to meet the state’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The plan models a set of policies that, if adopted by the General Assembly, would reduce emissions in the state by 72% from 2005 levels by 2050 and finds that implementing these policies would produce $21 billion per year in net benefits by 2050.

The State Treasurer’s Office made $1.45 billion in investment earnings from the state investment portfolio during Fiscal Year 2026, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today. Treasurer Frerichs is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer. He is responsible for investing state revenue in the state investment portfolio.

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) joined civil rights enforcement agencies including the District of Columbia’s civil rights enforcement agency to provide a joint comment urging the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to preserve longstanding federal workforce demographic reporting requirements that help agencies identify and address employment discrimination.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is responding to an outbreak of measles in Douglas County, Illinois, involving at least four cases. An outbreak is defined as three or more cases that are connected by a common exposure source or epidemiological link.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced applications are now open for the sixth round of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides training opportunities, expands the talent pipeline, and boosts diversity in the construction industry and building trades. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.

Ahead of Labor Day, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, labor leaders, and state legislators on Thursday highlighted a new law that will allow him to make investments to build more affordable housing.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced record-breaking growth across Illinois’ tourism industry in 2025. The state welcomed 115 million domestic and international visitors in 2025 – an increase from 2024.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $11.4 million in funding for 23 organizations across Illinois as part of the Job Training and Economic Development Program (JTED) to expand workforce training, career pathways, and support services for Illinoisans facing barriers to employment. Through the Job Training and Economic Development Program (JTED), the funding will help connect workers with the skills and resources they need to enter in-demand careers while helping employers build the skilled workforce they need to grow.

ISACo staff participated in a NACo briefing examining the SAVE America Act and a presidential executive order concerning mail-in voting. Presenters discussed how the proposals could substantially change voter registration and election administration while creating new costs, responsibilities and legal risks for counties. Both proposals remain subject to further congressional action and ongoing litigation.

The State Treasurer’s Office made $1.45 billion in investment earnings from the state investment portfolio during Fiscal Year 2026, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today. Treasurer Frerichs is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer. He is responsible for investing state revenue in the state investment portfolio. “Every dollar we earn in interest for the people of Illinois is a dollar that lawmakers don’t have to raise in taxes or cut in services,” Frerichs said. “We are trying to maximize earnings for our state at a time when working families are being squeezed by Trump’s war, tariffs, inflation, and the ridiculous cost of housing.”

In recent weeks, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) celebrated with its partners the grand opening of three residential senior developments located in northern, central, and southern Illinois that received IHDA funding. These developments collectively supply more than 160 affordable housing units, enabling Illinoisians to remain within their communities they call home. The three developments will provide much-needed rental options in regions that have experienced limited housing capacity, increased rents, and lengthy waiting lists.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced the State of Illinois has been approved to receive $1.04 billion in funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to support high-speed internet access statewide. The funding will connect approximately 350,000 residents through homes, businesses, and community institutions across Illinois by 2031. Between private investment, prior public funding, and new BEAD funding, the total broadband investment will exceed $2 billion.

Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB), and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced $50 million in grant funding has been awarded to 21 grantees through the Community Health Center Construction Grant Program. This funding was made possible by the Rebuild Illinois capital program which aims to support the construction, expansion, and improvement of community healthcare facilities across Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in July, down -0.2 percentage point from June, 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 June unemployment rate was 5.1 percent.

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director James Jennings today announced $766,600 in funding through the Public Buildings Energy Efficiency Program for projects that include energy efficiency upgrades identified in an energy efficiency assessment or audit conducted within the last five years. The Efficient and Resilient Public Building Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is now posted.

Illinois and 46 state financial agencies in 46 states have reached a $15.5 million settlement with one of the nation’s largest mortgage servicers for improperly imposing “force-placed” insurance costs on borrowers who already had active homeowners insurance policies. Under the terms of the settlement, Fort Washington, Penn., based NewRez LLC (NMLS ID 3013), will pay a total of $15.5 million. The company worked with state regulators to self-identify and proactively remediate more than $4.5 million to the impacted borrowers, and it will pay nearly an additional $11 million for costs and penalties. NewRez will be required to implement and conduct enhanced monitoring for loans that have force-placed insurance. The company also must implement other actions to strengthen controls.

Parents starting on back-to-school shopping will get a temporary sales tax break for 10 days this month. From Friday, Aug. 7, through Aug. 16 the state’s sales tax on school supplies will be reduced from 6.25% to 1.25%. Items with a lower sales tax will include traditional supplies such as markers and pencils, notebooks and folders and other classroom items, as well as many clothing purchases.

Advocates urged the state to invest in community-based alternatives to nursing homes for people with disabilities before attempting to enter Gov. JB Pritzker’s Chicago office in the West Loop on Wednesday.