Illinois is facing a tightening fiscal landscape due to federal cuts and changes, with the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget projecting a $2.2 billion deficit in the 2027 fiscal year if no changes are made to spending or taxing policies.
federal government
Posted inNews
Midnight Friday deadline nears as Congress is set for another shutdown
Senate Republicans are pushing forward with a funding package to avoid another government shutdown, while Democrats are blocking the current DHS funding bill and calling for an overhaul of ICE and CBP to protect public safety.
Posted inNews
Gov. Pritzker signs bill to protect and expand vaccine access
Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 767, which expands and codifies the Illinois Department of Public Health’s ability to offer science-based vaccine guidelines, expands vaccine access, and requires insurance companies to cover vaccines recommended by IDPH.
Posted inLocal
Joliet and Plainfield food pantries meet the communities need for Thanksgiving Holiday
Local organizations are seeing an increase in people needing assistance this Thanksgiving season due to inflation, with food pantries and banks still seeing long lines despite the reinstatement of SNAP food benefits.
Posted inNews
New Law Helps Illinois Seniors Stay in Their Homes Despite Rising Taxes
State Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar announced the passage of legislation expanding property tax relief for seniors on fixed incomes, raising income eligibility thresholds for the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption and the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program.
Posted inNews
Illinois DOT Implements Steps to Support Disadvantaged Businesses Despite Federal Rule
IDOT is taking steps to preserve federal funding and support the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program by recertifying firms and limiting contracts in its upcoming November letting in response to a new Trump administration contracting rule.
Posted inNews
Federal Intervention Needed to Prevent Illinois SNAP Cuts, Says State Senator
State Senator Meg Loughran Cappelis is urging federal lawmakers to resolve the ongoing government shutdown to prevent the cessation of SNAP benefits for nearly two million Illinois residents, which could lead to food insecurity for vulnerable populations.
Posted inFeatured
SNAP benefits slated to be cut off on November 1
If the federal government shutdown continues, 1.9 million Illinoisans will lose access to SNAP benefits on November 1, unless the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans re-open the government.
Posted inNews
Will Social Security’s 2026 COLA offset rising everyday costs?
The 2026 Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) has been delayed due to the federal government shutdown, and many retirees are struggling to make ends meet with the current benefit levels, which are insufficient to cover living expenses in most states.
Posted inNews
Elwood is staging area for National Guard deployment to Chicago
The National Guard has been deployed to the Elwood U.S. Army Reserve Center in Illinois, despite a lawsuit filed by the IL Attorney General and objections from local legislators, who believe the money could be better used to address real issues facing the community.
