News

Illinois is facing the potential loss of nearly $1 billion in federal child care and family assistance funding after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services froze access to several major programs amid concerns about fraud and misuse. The decision affects funding that supports child care assistance for working families, child care providers, and human service organizations statewide, with state officials warning that tens of thousands of families could be impacted. Governor JB Pritzker has sharply criticized the move, while federal officials say the freeze will remain in place until the Administration for Children and Families completes a compliance review. Click on the title to read the story.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced Tuesday, that the unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in November, unchanged from September, and down -0.5 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised September unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.4 percent. There are no October unemployment rates for Illinois or the nation as labor force data for the month of October could not be collected from households during the federal government shutdown.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board is excited to announce, in partnership with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), a first-of-its-kind law enforcement therapy canine certification framework. This new certification is designed to formally review and certify law enforcement personnel and their trained therapy canines for use in crisis calls, peer support, and community engagement functions.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging residents to take precautions against the spread of influenza (flu) and other seasonal respiratory illnesses, as rates continue to climb across the state. Flu activity in the state has climbed to “Very High” in recent days, the most severe of five categories of respiratory illness activity, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, COVID-19 rates have climbed to “Moderate” levels in Illinois. These trends are similar to what is being seen across the nation.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $24 million is now available in grant funding to establish six new Manufacturing Training Academies (MTAs) at community colleges in the state’s downstate regions to expand training for high-demand manufacturing jobs in Illinois. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is reminding employers and employees about a new amendment, Public Act 104-0171, to the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) which clarify that employees may use an employer-provided device to document or record evidence of violence affecting themselves and or their family. The amendment ensures that workers who use a business-owned device—such as a computer, tablet, or cellphone—to record or preserve evidence related to domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking are protected under VESSA and may not be disciplined or retaliated against for that use. “This change recognizes the realities that victims of violence face during moments of crisis,” said IDOL Director Jane Flanagan. “No one should have to choose between their safety and their job when documenting violence against themselves or their family.”

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs is returning $100,000 in missing money to food pantries throughout the state. Each December, Frerichs’ office focuses on returning money through the ICash program to nonprofit groups that help people in need. This year, Frerichs decided to help food pantries that saw resources stretched and demand spike when the federal government shutdown stopped food assistance to many Illinois families in November.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reaffirmed the recommendation for a universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth to prevent hepatitis B, a serious viral infection that can lead to acute or chronic liver disease.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants now through Feb. 16, 2026. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service VFA federal grant program provides matching funds to aid fire departments in the purchase of new equipment and helps fund training. Funding is passed through IDNR to local fire departments and fire training academies. The VFA grant program reimburses 50% of the recipients’ project costs up to $10,000. Grant recipients must make the initial financial outlay for the projects before being reimbursed.

Members of NACo’s Great Lakes Regional Forum convened on December 10 to plan for the 2026 Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., discussing how counties across the region can strengthen their collective voice on issues such as water resource management, data centers, economic development, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The meeting emphasized aligning county perspectives with broader regional priorities and encouraged members to develop policy ideas and session topics that will highlight the Great Lakes’ significance in national county advocacy. Click on the title for more information.

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is reminding customers that the state’s winter weather rule is in effect from December 1 - March 31. The winter weather rule limits utilities from disconnecting eligible customers who use electric or gas as their primary source of home heating.

A comprehensive new report released today by the University of Illinois’ Project for Middle Class Renewal (PMCR) finds that while Illinois has made meaningful progress toward gender pay equity since implementing pay data reporting requirements under a 2021 amendment to the Equal Pay Act of 2003 (EPA), significant occupational disparities in pay persist—particularly for Black and Hispanic workers in low-wage sectors.

The Illinois Department of Public Health today released the following statement from Director Dr. Sameer Vohra in response to the actions of the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP): “Since universal newborn vaccination began in 1991, hepatitis B infection among U.S. children dropped by 99%. Today, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to remove its long-standing recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. For decades, the best available science has shown that administering the hepatitis B vaccine at birth is safe, effective, and critical in preventing chronic liver disease and liver cancer later in life.

The Illinois State Museum (ISM) has been reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition afforded to the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, governments, funders, outside agencies and the museum-going public. The Illinois State Museum has been accredited since 1972.

Governor JB Pritzker joined state officials, bill sponsors, and public health experts to sign HB 767. The legislation expands and codifies Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2025-04, which empowers the Illinois Department of Public Health to offer transparent, science-based vaccine guidelines through its expert Immunization Advisory Committee (IAC), while also expanding vaccine access.

Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announces the sixth year of the popular Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program. Users will again be able to enter their information into the application and validate it during a pre-enrollment period starting at 8 a.m. CST on December 3, 2025. Applications can be submitted once the program opens at 8 a.m. on December 15, 2025. Prior to submission, applications can be saved and edited at any time.

President Donald Trump’s administration is moving to slash federal protections for the nation’s wetlands and streams, potentially leaving millions of acres of habitat in Illinois and the Midwest vulnerable to being dug up, filled in or paved over. At the heart of the proposal announced earlier this week is a new, stricter definition to the long-debated legal term, “Waters of the United States,” the federal guidance that determines which bodies of water are protected under the 1972 Clean Water Act.

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.