Illinois quick hits: Criminal justice grants announced; unemployment rate unchanged
Criminal justice grants announced
The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has announced $50 million in taxpayer-funded grants for historically underserved communities.
ICJIA says it will allocate $35 million to support community reentry from the criminal legal system, economic development, and civil legal aid programs, with another $15 million slotted for youth development and violence prevention initiatives.
The state budget for fiscal year 2026 appropriates a total of $180 million in taxpayer funds for ICJIA.
DCFS scholarship applications open
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is accepting applications for the 2026 DCFS Scholarship Program until March 31.
Scholarship recipients receive up to five consecutive years of tuition and academic fee waivers if they attend a public university or community college, a monthly grant of $1,577 to offset other expenses and a medical card.
In 2025, DCFS awarded scholarships to 334 college-bound youth. Applications are available online.
Unemployment rate unchanged
The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Tuesday that the state’s unemployment rate was 4.4% in November, unchanged from September.
November’s rate was down -0.5 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Total nonfarm payrolls were down 0.2% in November.
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Capital Improvements & IT Committee for January 6, 2026
Public Works Committee: $18.8 Million Contract Awarded for Lorenzo Road Bridge Over BNSF Railway
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee for January 7, 2026
Executive Committee: Relaxes Rules for Retiring Employee Proclamations
Lobbyist Updates: State Session Resumes; Transit Safety Concerns Raised
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for January 6, 2026
Capital Imp Committee: Facilities Director Reports on VAC Progress and Critical Health Department Elevator Repairs
‘Good Food For All’ Initiative Proposes Local Agricultural Asset Mapping for Will County
Public Works Committee Advances $3.2 Million Engineering Contract for Mills Road Reconstruction
Board Members Debate “Commitment to Truth” in Media Resolution
Executive Committee: Speaker VanDuyne and Member Butler Clash Over Removal of Committee Chair
Finance Committee: County Appropriates Fees from $25 Million Wilmington Warehouse Project
