CHICAGO – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to provide financial assistance for individuals who incurred COVID-19 related funeral expenses for loved ones. Since launching the program on April 1, 2021, FEMA has provided more than $2.1 billion in COVID-19 funeral assistance to eligible applicants across the country, but assistance is still available for those who […]
COVID-19 funeral assistance is still available Read More »
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Representative David Friess (R-Red Bud) released the following statement after the Illinois Democrats passed a $45 billion budget late Friday night: “Last year when I was sworn into office, newly elected Speaker of the House Chris Welch promised us all a new day in Illinois. The old ways of Michael Madigan
Rep. Friess: Budget is Nothing More than Smoke and Mirrors Read More »
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Association of School Business Officials (IASBO) is calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to sign legislation would increase equity for low-income and minority students by expanding access to higher quality school meals across the state. Passed with overwhelming support in the House and Senate, HB 4813 would ensure that all students receive the nutrition
Bill would improve school lunch taste and quality for low-income and minority students Read More »
SPRINGFIELD – As the spring legislative session ends, negotiators representing organized labor today announced agreement on delaying temporary employer tax increases and worker benefit reductions, but an impasse in discussions to address a historic deficit in the state fund that provides unemployment insurance benefits to workers. Representatives of five key labor organizations announced that negotiations among labor,
Labor negotiators call for permanent solution to unemployment insurance crisis Read More »
SPRINGFIELD – Building upon the responsible spending decisions the Illinois Senate Democratic caucus made and balanced budgets they’ve passed in recent years, the General Assembly passed a spending and tax relief package that prioritizes working families and provides them with relief following two years of financial distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We knew we
Illinois Senate passes state budget Read More »
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – On behalf of retailers across the state, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) applauds lawmakers in the Senate for their bipartisan support and passage of HB1091, a comprehensive proposal to combat organized retail crime that has plagued neighborhoods across Chicago and communities throughout the state. Crafted by IRMA in partnership with Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Municipal League (IML) issued the following statement after the General Assembly approved a State Fiscal Year 2023 budget that includes an increase to the Local Government Distributive Fund, from the current distribution rate of 6.06 percent of individual income tax collections to a rate of 6.16 percent, which will provide additional funding to
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The CEO of the IL Fuel and Retail Association, has criticized the Illinois legislature for authorizing two gasoline tax increases for 2023 and requiring fuel retailers to post signs at their own expense. Josh Sharp said, “By delaying, instead of simply eliminating, the annual gas tax increase for six months, the Legislature
Illinois lawmakers approve two gas tax increases, but delay the first for six months Read More »
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association has released the following statement after the General Assembly approved the Fiscal Year 2023 state budget, in which hotels are set to receive $75 million in aid to assist with pandemic recovery efforts: “As a vital component of Illinois’ economy, the pandemic decimated our state’s
Illinois hotel industry applauds $75 Million to support jobs, pandemic recovery Read More »
SPRINGFIELD – The American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC-IL) released the following statement regarding the preservation of gas tax revenues for infrastructure projects included in the state’s budget: “We applaud Governor Pritzker and the legislature for passing a budget that provides a solution to the motor fuel tax issue that maintains the state’s
Illinois engineers applauds hike in motor fuel tax Read More »
