Ill State News

Business groups urge lawmakers to reject regressive delivery tax

SPRINGFIELD — A coalition of business groups including the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Fuel & Retail Association, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Illinois Restaurant Association, Illinois Retail Merchants Association, NFIB Illinois and TechNet, released the following statement urging lawmakers to reject a new $1.50 tax on retail and food deliveries:   “Amid persistent […]

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Governor Pritzker announces Vermilion Advantage awarded grant for economic recovery and resiliency planning

DANVILLE – Governor JB Pritzker, Vermilion Advantage and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has announced that Vermilion Advantage has been awarded $80,000 in federal grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Local Technical Assistance program. Vermilion Advantage is a non-profit organization that combines the functions of a chamber of commerce and

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ICC promotes energy efficient tips to offset summer energy costs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is alerting Illinoisans on ways to keep cool and offset coming energy price spikes. Summer costs are expected to rise June 1 for ComEd and Ameren customers alike following a regional increase in energy supply prices.   “Energy affordability is always top of mind at the ICC, and

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Illinois Chamber on FY26 Budget: ‘Tax hikes undermine growth’

SPRINGFIELD, IL– At the start of the legislative session, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce was encouraged by Governor Pritzker’s proposed budget, which emphasized fiscal discipline, investment in education, and economic development, without raising taxes.   The final $55.2 Billion FY26 budget passed by the General Assembly tells a different story. It includes more than $350 million in expansive and

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Illinois EPA announces $5 Million funding opportunity through the Illinois Overflow and Sewer Grant

SPRINGFIELD —Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Acting Director James Jennings today announced a funding opportunity through the new Overflow and Sewer Grant (OSG) program. The OSG program was created to assist local governments with infrastructure needs to address combined sewer overflows (CSO), sanitary sewer overflows (SSO), and stormwater management to improve water quality and protect

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Illinois manufacturers praise comprehensive economic development legislation to attract and grow business investment

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) released the following statement in support of SB2008, which contains numerous provisions to attract and grow businesses throughout the state:    “This legislation builds on the economic development gains Illinois has made in recent years by ensuring our state has the proper tools to attract new businesses and increase

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Illinois Manufacturers’ Association statement on Spring 2025 legislative session

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) released the following statement after the General Assembly adjourned the spring 2025 legislative session:    “Economic growth is key to stabilizing the state’s long term financial outlook. When businesses thrive, Illinois thrives. Though we have made progress over the past several years, the collective action taken by the General

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IDOA now accepting specialty crop block grant proposals

SPRINGFIELD, IL – In an effort to expand the availability of fresh, locally-grown produce and strengthen the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crop industry, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) plans to distribute more than $679,000 over a three-year period thanks to funding allocated in the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program.     An application for grant

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Treasurer Michael Frerichs encourages families to save for future education costs through 529 College Savings Accounts

SPRINGFIELD –State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is recognizing 529 Day on May 29 by reminding Illinois families that now is always a good time to save for a child’s future education by opening or adding to a Bright Start 529 account.   “When a child knows he or she has a college savings plan, that child is

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