Ill State News

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Municipal League (IML) announced Monday that 656 municipalities across Illinois – more than half of all municipalities in the state – have adopted an ordinance establishing a 1% local grocery sales tax to replace the statewide grocery tax when it expires on January 1, 2026.   The statewide 1% grocery sales tax, […]

SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Corrections Lodge 263 has lobbied for years and continues to stand firmly with legislators calling attention to the escalating crisis at Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg and across the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC).   FOP Corrections Lodge President Scot Ward issued the following statement:  

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) is proud to announce it has received the 2025 Aetna Workplace Well-being Platinum Award, the highest level of recognition offered by Aetna. This marks the fourth year in a row that CMS has earned the prestigious award for its continued efforts in building a

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) and the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) have announced $67 million in funding to offer cost-share/financial incentives to producers and landowners who will implement no-till or strip-till starting in the fall of 2025.   The intent of the program is to promote the implementation of no-till

CHICAGO –The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, is proud to announce the 2025-26 Financial Aid Application Completion Recognition of Excellence awardees, honoring Illinois high schools that demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment to student success by achieving high financial aid application completion rates. These schools have gone above and beyond

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) invites visitors to experience the sights, sounds and colors of the season at the Fall Nature Fest at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion on Saturday, Oct. 18.   This free, family-friendly event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will feature guided hikes, interactive exhibits, outdoor recreation,

CHICAGO –The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, is proud to announce the 2025-26 Financial Aid Application Completion Recognition of Excellence awardees, honoring Illinois high schools that demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment to student success by achieving high financial aid application completion rates. These schools have gone above and beyond

SPRINGFIELD – The stocking of catchable trout for the fall season is on hold until water temperatures are more suitable for the trout, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced today. Unusually warm weather in Illinois this fall has delayed the cooling of lakes and ponds across the state.    Trout stocked in waters warmer

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will use a new automated notification system to relay chronic wasting disease (CWD) test results to deer hunters starting with the current 2025-2026 deer season.    Hunters who harvest deer across the 25-county CWD endemic area of northern and west-central Illinois are encouraged to have their deer

CHICAGO – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $4.4 million is available in tourism funding through three grant programs: the Tourism Attraction Grant Program ($1.8 million), the Tourism Private Sector Grant Program ($600,000) and the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program ($2 million). Eligible entities can apply