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Thanksgiving is the leading day for home fires involving cooking equipment, with four times the average number occurring. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an estimated 1,446 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments on Thanksgiving Day in 2023, reflecting a 388 percent increase over the daily average. On annual average between 2019 and 2023, cooking accounted for the majority of U.S. home fires on Thanksgiving Day (80 percent) and 40 percent of the civilian injuries. Overall, cooking causes over half (52%) of all reported home fires and nearly two of every five (36%) home fire injuries, and it is a leading cause of home fire deaths (17%). Ranges and cook-tops account for almost three out of every five home fires reported involving cooking, with ovens accounting for 13% of those fires.

Report finds 91% of pregnancy-related deaths were potentially preventable Black women were more than twice as likely to die from any pregnancy-related condition and three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related medical conditions than white women Report reinforces the importance of Gov. Pritzker’s Birth Equity Blueprint

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is sharing the following upcoming events and noteworthy items for December.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is launching new coverage for home visiting services for pregnant and parenting Medicaid customers, effective Nov. 21. The newly-covered services and supports aim to meet the needs of pregnant and parenting individuals at a critical time in their healthcare journey, in order to create better health outcomes for both parents and their children. “My administration is committed to investing in children and families across Illinois, and this new coverage will provide valuable support for pregnant and parenting individuals at an important juncture in their lives,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Access to home visiting services is just one way Illinois is working to promote birth equity, improve maternal health outcomes, and make quality health care more accessible for those who need it most.”

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Acting Director James Jennings announced the issuance of a health advisory for the PFAS 6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (6:2 FTS), in accordance with Illinois groundwater regulations. Health advisories are issued when there is detection of a chemical substance(s) harmful to human health for which no numeric groundwater standard(s) exists, and resampling confirms the presence in a community water supply well.

As people across Illinois make preparations for holiday meals, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reminding everyone to follow food safety and hygiene recommendations to prevent an outbreak of foodborne illness.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined businessowners, legislators, and community stakeholders at Soul Good Coffee to announce nearly $10 million in funding for 47 small businesses through the Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program. This funding will uplift businesses owned by historically underrepresented groups and very small businesses, helping them create and retain jobs, improve efficiency, and grow local economies.

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) cut $55.8 million from Ameren Illinois’ rate request for its natural gas delivery services. The decision reduces Ameren’s $128.8 million request by about 43 percent and approves a 9.60 percent return on equity (ROE), a reduction from the company’s requested 10.70 percent ROE.

Please be advised that effective November 19, 2025, the Illinois Office of the Secretary of State (ILSOS) will begin offering Mobile Identification Cards, “Mobile IDs,” which will allow Illinois driver’s license and state identification card holders to present their Illinois driver’s licenses and state identification cards digitally via the digital wallet incorporated into the Apple iPhone or Apple Watch.

Thanksgiving is the leading day for home fires involving cooking equipment, with four times the average number occurring. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an estimated 1,446 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments on Thanksgiving Day in 2023, reflecting a 388 percent increase over the daily average. On annual average between 2019 and 2023, cooking accounted for the majority of U.S. home fires on Thanksgiving Day (80 percent) and 40 percent of the civilian injuries. Overall, cooking causes over half (52%) of all reported home fires and nearly two of every five (36%) home fire injuries, and it is a leading cause of home fire deaths (17%). Ranges and cook-tops account for almost three out of every five home fires reported involving cooking, with ovens accounting for 13% of those fires.

Beginning January 1, 2026, taxpayers must apply online with the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) for approval if they wish to claim the Credit for Wages Paid to Returning Citizens on their tax return. Credits shall be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Starved Rock State Park, including the Starved Rock Lodge and other park amenities, will remain open to visitors during an $18 million trail improvement project that is expected to get underway this winter and continue through 2026.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is encouraging public awareness of appropriate use of antibiotics and antifungals during U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week. The annual observance is held November 18-24. As part of this year’s observance, IDPH is recognizing nearly 90 Illinois hospitals who have taken extra measures to prevent antimicrobial resistance, where bacteria and other germs can develop a resistance to the drugs that were designed to fight them.

Most state agencies were required to submit spending cut plans to Gov. JB Pritzker by Oct. 23, but the governor’s office has declined to release details about those plans.

The State of Illinois went live with a new, state-of-the-art seed-to-sale, track-and-trace data system in July 2025. The new system, Metrc, rolled out across the cannabis industry over several months and concluded in June. The sales tracking features in Metrc help retailers more accurately and reliably report actual sales, including all discounts and promotions at checkout. A thorough review of past data indicates prior months collected some pre-discount prices. The number of items sold remained consistent across months, resulting in the improved data showing cannabis consumers have been paying less at checkout and with pre-tax prices similar to prices in other states that have legalized adult use cannabis. Sales receipts, subject to tax and tax collections, reported directly to the Illinois Department of Revenue by retailers were accurate and not impacted by the non-discounted prices reported through the previous seed-to-sale system. Metrc is currently being updated to include categorization of adult use sales into instate and out-of-state consumers.

Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), received his annual flu and COVID-19 immunizations this fall respiratory season during a visit to the DuPage County Health Department this week. The Director also spoke on the importance of receiving these seasonal immunizations and the steps IDPH has taken to encourage Illinoisans to get their shots and to preserve access to them.

The National Association of Counties' Great Lakes Regional Forum convened in October to discuss growing competition for water resources in the Great Lakes Basin. The meeting featured insights from Helena Volzer of the Alliance for the Great Lakes on how data centers, agriculture, and mining are intensifying water demand and what local governments can do to ensure sustainability. The Forum also spotlighted the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative’s new "Fresh Coast Economic Transformation Action Plan," which charts a 10-year vision for sustainable economic growth and freshwater stewardship across the region. Click on the title to read the recap.

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today that Illinois’ Bright Start 529 College Savings Plan has earned its 7th Gold rating from independent analyst Morningstar, firmly placing the plan among the best in the nation.

President Donald Trump has signed into law a funding bill passed by the U.S. House to end the 43-day federal government shutdown. The measure fully funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Veterans Affairs, military construction projects, and congressional operations through the end of Fiscal Year 2026, while providing short-term funding for all other federal agencies through January 30, 2026. Click on the title for more information.

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is raising awareness during National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month this November. The OSFM is urging everyone to recognize the silent and invisible danger of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, which claims hundreds of lives and sickens thousands each year across the United States.

As winter weather approaches, Illinois residents are reminded to prepare for the possibility of snow, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures. This week marks National Winter Weather Preparedness Week, a timely opportunity for individuals, families, and communities to plan ahead for the challenges the season can bring. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) is partnering with the National Weather Service (NWS) to urge everyone to take simple, proactive steps now to stay safe and reduce the risks posed by severe winter weather.

The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office announced today that fire departments across the state are beginning the transition to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS)—a secure, cloud-based platform built to modernize how emergency incidents are reported and analyzed. Departments across the country are onboarding to NERIS as part of a phased national rollout led by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), and the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes.

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Director James Jennings today announced additional funding for two energy efficiency grant opportunities. The Energy Efficiency Assessment (EEA) Program has $350,000 in funding available for recipients to conduct energy efficiency assessments at properties serving residents receiving housing assistance from a state or federal program. The Energy Efficiency Trust Fund (EETF) Program is offering $10 million in funding to implement projects previously identified in an energy efficiency assessment at eligible properties serving residents receiving housing assistance. These grant programs are now accepting applications.

Gov. JB Pritzker has signed Executive Order 2025-08, directing $20 million to food banks in response the to halt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for nearly 2 million Illinoisans starting November 1.

As Halloween approaches, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) urges everyone to celebrate safely and keep fire hazards in mind while enjoying the season’s festivities. Decorations, costumes, and candles all add to the fun, but they can also increase the risk of fire and injuries if not handled carefully.