News

Congress is beginning work on the next federal surface transportation bill, and the decisions made in Washington will have major consequences for Illinois counties. As policymakers consider shifting away from discretionary grants and toward more state-controlled formula funding, counties risk losing access to critical infrastructure dollars unless the system is fixed. This article outlines why counties are pushing for a fairer share, what changes are needed, and how ISACo and NACo are working to ensure counties aren’t left behind. Click on the title to read the story.

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability’s (COGFA) January 2026 Monthly Briefing offers a snapshot of Illinois’ fiscal health, highlighting strong estate tax growth, mixed General Funds revenue performance, declining federal revenue payments, and the impact of the state’s recent tax amnesty program. The report also reviews key economic indicators shaping revenue trends and budget planning for the remainder of FY 2026—making it essential reading for county officials tracking the state’s financial outlook. Click on the title to read the story.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) today announced it is advancing Phases 3 and 4 of CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment), bringing 16 additional license types onto the state’s modernized regulatory platform. The expansion marks a major step in transitioning from legacy systems to an integrated, enterprise-wide solution that supports the full lifecycle of professional regulation.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has been nationally recognized for its inventive approach to expanding affordable homeownership, earning a spot as a top 25 finalist for the 2026 Ivory Prize. Ivory Innovations announced that IHDA’s Access Plus down payment assistance program was selected from a competitive national pool of submissions for its potential to deliver scalable, real-world solutions to the housing affordability crisis.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced plans to distribute $3.6 million in fiscal year 2026 at the Everything Local conference in Springfield on Wednesday. The funds, which were appropriated in the FY26 state budget, will be used to support local food processing, aggregation, and distribution. Grants will be available for collaborative projects from $1,000 to $250,000 and for individual projects from $1,000 to $75,000.

National Unclaimed Property Day is this weekend, and Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is encouraging people to visit the ICash missing money website to see if they have money or other unclaimed property waiting for them.

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Director James Jennings today announced an extension to the current Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program application cycle from January 31, 2026 to May 31, 2026. Illinois EPA will process all applications received through January 31, 2026, including non-low income, given those individuals applied with the expectation that rebates would be processed at the end of the initial application cycle. After January 31, 2026, Illinois EPA will again prioritize low income applications as specified in the program requirements, which are available on the Illinois EPA’s EV Rebate Program webpage. Updated forms and instructions to submit a rebate application are currently available on the webpage.

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has filed a complaint in Cook County Circuit Court against That’s Gino and Marty’s, LLC, its management company White Glove Service and Management, LLC, and several individual owners and managers, alleging violations of the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act and the Illinois Minimum Wage Law.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is sharing the following upcoming events and noteworthy items for February 2026

The Illinois Accountability Commission, housed in the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), today held its second public hearing to showcase how institutional structures and propaganda were abused to transform federal agents into a paramilitary force operating above the law during Operation Midway Blitz. During the hearing, the Commission released its initial status report, approved Governor Pritzker’s request to examine the impact of the conduct and decisions of key Trump Administration officials, heard from five subject matter experts, and received public comment. To watch the recording, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu7uMFfFpIk.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Division of Banking, in cooperation with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), took possession and control of Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust in Chicago on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. CST. First Independence Bank of Detroit, Michigan, a minority depository institution, has agreed to purchase the bank. This ensures a seamless and immediate transition of services for customers and full protection of customer deposits.

The latest homeless morbidity and mortality report from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) shows that persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) face significant health challenges and are much more likely to face emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and premature death than the public at large.

Governor JB Pritzker announced today a $50 million grant opportunity is available through the Rebuild Illinois Capital Program. The funding will support the Community Health Center Construction Grants for Federally Qualified Health Centers and look-alikes at a time when the Trump administration is cutting critical healthcare funding.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today awarded more than $17 million in funding to 39 program recipients, serving up to nearly 2,000 community members statewide, to expand the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The program creates a qualified talent pipeline of diverse candidates in the construction and building trades.

As winter weather brings extreme cold across Illinois, fire safety officials are urging residents to use extra caution when heating their homes. Frigid temperatures often lead people to rely more heavily on heating systems and alternative heat sources, which can increase the risk of home fires and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning if proper safety precautions are not followed.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in December, up +0.2 percentage point from November, and down -0.3 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised November unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.4 percent.

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) will host employment screening events for its Juvenile Justice Specialist Intern positions. The positions are full-time, year-round, shift-work positions and there are job openings at the following Illinois youth centers: Chicago, Warrenville, St. Charles, Grafton, Harrisburg, and Lincoln. The position has a starting salary of $65,004; and interested applicants must attend an upcoming required screening event to be considered. The screening dates and locations are listed below:

The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) approved a fiscal year 2027 recommended budget that increases funding to continue to support the implementation of the higher education strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois, meant to remove barriers and advance equity across the state’s higher education system. The approved budget recommends an overall 4.5% increase, which represents an increase of $121.5 million, in higher education funding, excluding the State University Retirement System (SURS) pensions.

ISACo President Matt Prochaska and Executive Director Joe McCoy joined county leaders from across the nation for a series of policy and advocacy discussions from January 14-16 hosted by the National Association of Counties (NACo) in Washington, D.C. The conversations focused on federal and state legislative priorities, fiscal pressures facing counties, and the growing importance of narrative-driven advocacy to strengthen county voices and advance effective intergovernmental partnerships. Click on the title to read the article.

Governor JB Pritzker has signed the bipartisan Clean Slate Act (HB 1836) into law, marking a major shift in how Illinois handles record sealing for certain non-violent offenses. The new law automates a process that has long been complex and uneven across counties, expanding access to employment, housing and education for eligible individuals while preserving public safety safeguards. Illinois now joins a growing number of states implementing Clean Slate policies aimed at reducing recidivism, strengthening communities and promoting economic opportunity. Click on the title to read the article.

Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs decreased in 8 metropolitan areas and increased in 4, leading to consecutive months with year-over-year growth in Chicago (17 consecutive months) and Lake (6 consecutive months). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in 10 metro areas and decreased in 2 for the year ending November 2025, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). The was no October 2025 metro area release due to the federal government shutdown.

During this Radon Action Month, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) and the American Lung Association in Illinois encourage families and schools to talk about radon and its dangerous effects. One way to spur the conversation is to ask school-age students to enter artwork into the statewide awareness poster and video contests.

The Illinois Department on Aging today released EngAging Illinois: A Comprehensive Plan for Living Well, a landmark multisector plan addressing the needs of older adults and caregivers. The plan establishes a decade-long blueprint to ensure the growing population of older Illinoisans can live dignified, engaged, productive, and meaningful lives at every stage of life.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced $36 million in grant funding was awarded to 67 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities. The grants were awarded through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, program.

Get Covered Illinois announced today that it is giving residents an additional 16 days to enroll in health insurance through the state’s official marketplace. Customers now have until January 31 to apply for and enroll in coverage. “We are seeing record numbers of customers finding more affordable coverage by taking the time to shop for and compare plans” said Morgan Winters, Director of Get Covered Illinois. “As a state-based marketplace, not only do we now have the authority to offer this special enrollment extension, but we also have more resources to support our customers in finding affordable health coverage options.”