News

Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 862 into law, creating the Illinois Department of Disability Advocacy and Guardianship (IDAG). This landmark legislation positions Illinois as a national leader in disability advocacy and guardianship by elevating the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission (IGAC) to a cabinet-level department. "By establishing the Department of Disability Advocacy and Guardianship, we are making it crystal clear that disability rights are a priority in Illinois," said Governor JB Pritzker. "I am proud to establish this agency, and I will continue to fight hard to empower people with disabilities and their families all across our state.”

Governor JB Pritzker used his item and reduction veto authority to correct a series of errors contained in Illinois' Fiscal Year 2027 budget, including a typographical mistake that inadvertently appropriated more than $500 billion to a Chicago NAACP branch. The governor's actions, taken in consultation with legislative budget leaders, removed or reduced dozens of spending items without requiring lawmakers to return to Springfield before the July 1 start of the new fiscal year. Click on the title to read the article.

The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor JB Pritzker that all persons or entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are to fly the flags at half-staff in honor of: Juneteenth National Freedom Day

Governor JB Pritzker has signed Illinois' Fiscal Year 2027 budget into law, concluding months of budget negotiations and establishing the state's spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The nearly $56 billion budget preserves the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) share at 6.47 percent, rejecting a proposal that would have reduced funding to counties and municipalities by an estimated $60 million statewide. ISACo joined local government partners in advocating against the proposed LGDF reduction. Read more about the enacted budget and what it means for Illinois counties by clicking on the title.

Governor JB Pritzker signed SB 3222 – landmark hemp legislation that strengthens social equity and medical access, reduces regulatory burdens, strengthens oversight, and improves public safety. SB 3222 is key to ensuring that the state’s cannabis sector remains safe for consumers and that Illinois continues to set a national example with its diversity and equity efforts in the cannabis industry.

Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) announced $24.7 million in funding for 434 entities through the Illinois Pharmacy Support Program, an initiative to strengthen access to pharmacy services across Illinois. The program was designed to assist pharmacies around the state most at risk of closure or financial strain, particularly those serving in rural areas, low-income communities, or populations with limited access to health care.

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.