News

The Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Homeownership Department (IHDA Mortgage) announced the recipients of its annual Lender and Loan Officer Awards, recognizing the banks, mortgage lenders, credit unions, and loan officers who assisted the most homebuyers using IHDA Mortgage programs in 2025. “IHDA’s programs make a meaningful difference for families who may not otherwise have access to affordable mortgage financing,” said IHDA Executive Director Kristin Faust. “Down payment assistance can be the deciding factor between continuing to rent and finally purchasing a home. Our partners are on the front lines, working one-on-one with families to navigate the mortgage process and access critical down payment assistance. Together, we are not just closing loans, we are opening doors to long-term financial stability, generational wealth, and stronger communities across Illinois.”

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today unveiled nearly $200,000 in Charitable Trust grants to 10 small nonprofits that help people stay in their homes and get job training. “We are helping people who need a helping hand at a time when so many folks are struggling due to higher costs and as our federal government yanks away lifelines,” Treasurer Frerichs said at a news conference at Rockford. “I’m proud to partner with nonprofit organizations that tirelessly work to improve the lives of Illinoisans in need and make our communities better places to live.”

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate Black History Month and honor leaders in the African American community. The event, held at the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office in the Marine Bank Building in downtown Springfield, was an opportunity to reflect on the great achievements of Black leaders. The eight Downstate Illinois honorees included a Springfield dentist, the CEO and President of the Springfield Urban League, the superintendent of Decatur Public Schools, the mayor of Carbondale, a labor leader from Belleville, the head girls basketball coach at Lanphier High School in Springfield, an award-winning children’s book author from O’Fallon, and the president of NAACP Peoria.

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission is pleased to introduce its new Licensing & Compliance Portal, a modern, unified system designed to streamline application, renewal, and compliance management for licensees statewide. As we begin implementation, licensees may notice temporary adjustments to workflows and processing timelines during the first 90 days. This transition period is a planned and important part of launching a new system of this scale. Throughout this phase, the ILCC will closely monitor performance, incorporate user feedback, and make targeted refinements to ensure the portal functions efficiently and effectively.

As artificial intelligence increasingly reshapes the modern workplace, Illinois has taken a proactive stance to ensure these technologies do not compromise equity or transparency. Effective January 1, 2026, the Illinois Human Rights Act was expanded via HB 3773 (P.A. 103-0804) to specifically regulate AI’s role in employment decisions, from recruitment to discharge. Click on the title for a summary outlining the Department of Human Rights' newly drafted compliance framework, detailing the essential notice requirements, prohibited practices, and recordkeeping duties that every Illinois employer must now navigate to remain compliant in this new digital landscape.

The Illinois House Revenue & Finance Committee advanced two significant proposals this week, one aimed at increasing transparency in property tax assessments (HB 1818) and another creating a new statewide incentive tool for large-scale “megaproject” developments (HB 910, HA1). While both measures move to the House floor, they raise important questions for counties related to assessment administration, litigation exposure, tax base impacts, and long-term fiscal planning. Click on the title to read the article.

On February 24, Illinois county leaders met with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth for a candid, wide-ranging discussion on the federal issues shaping local government—from Medicaid and health care access to housing, infrastructure, energy transmission and public trust in government. The conversation highlighted how decisions made in Washington directly impact county budgets, services and residents. Read more about the key takeaways and what they mean for counties across Illinois. Click on the title to read the article.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting this year’s first confirmed case of measles in the state in an adult residing in the Metro East area. The individual recently returned from travel out of state. IDPH is working with local, state and federal health officials to investigate all potential locations where others may have been exposed to the individual while that person was infectious. One community location in Illinois has been identified so far: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville. People attending church on February 8 between 8:00am and 12:15pm were potentially exposed to measles.

As interest in locally grown food and community-based agriculture continues to rise, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is inviting individuals and families to take part in the 2026 IDOA Community Garden, a hands-on opportunity to grow fresh produce, build food security, and connect with agriculture in the heart of the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Nearly $40,000 in grants for 24 schoolyard habitat projects throughout Illinois have been awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Conservation Foundation for the 2026 application period.

The U.S. House has passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644) by a bipartisan 390–9 vote, marking the most significant federal housing reform effort in more than a decade. The bill would modernize key housing programs, streamline regulations and expand local flexibility for counties to address affordable and workforce housing needs. As the Senate prepares to consider its own proposal, counties are watching closely to ensure the final package preserves local flexibility, strong partnerships and practical tools to boost housing supply. Click on the title to read the article.

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.