Illinois quick hits: State sues over frozen funds; Nicor Gas seeks rate hike
State sues over frozen funds
Illinois is one of five states suing the Trump administration over a freeze of more than $10 billion in federal funding for child care and welfare programs.
The lawsuit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan by New York Attorney General Letitia James, seeks to block the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from withholding money from New York, California, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota amid ongoing federal scrutiny into the child care programs.
The $10 billion total includes nearly $1 billion being frozen for Illinois.
Nicor Gas seeks rate hike
Nicor Gas has filed a rate hike request of approximately $221 million with the Illinois Commerce Commission.
The gas utility says the additional funds would help enhance the safety, reliability and resilience of its natural gas system.
Nicor says the rate hike would add less than $6 per month to customers’ energy delivery charge. The ICC has 11 months to review the request.
Site Selection Magazine rankings
Site Selection Magazine has named Illinois one of the top states in the nation for Workforce Development, but the Land of Lincoln is nowhere near the top for Business Climate or manufacturing.
Site Selection surveyed 30 national site consultants and found that Texas received the most votes for Best Business Climate in America and best state for manufacturing projects.
The magazine named Illinois third in the nation for workforce development in 2026.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro ranked fourth in the North American Tech Hub Index.
Chris Wade contributed to this report.
Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Green Garden Township Residents Threaten Incorporation to Block 6,000-Acre Solar Farm
Financial Report Shows Projected Surplus and Debt Service Transfer
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Peotone Public Library District for Jan. 15, 2026
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Monee Township Board of Trustees for January 15, 2026
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Monee Village Board for Feb. 11, 2026
Executive Committee: Tension Rises as Republican Whip Removed from Panel
Board Reschedules March Meeting Due to Election Law; Discusses TIF Districts
Ad-Hoc Committee: County Stripped of Power to Regulate Motor Races, Must Drop Solicitor Fees Due to State Statutes
Commission Overrides Staff Recommendation, Approves Manhattan Township Barn Expansion
Community violence intervention advocates tout crime reduction, taxpayer funding
Pritzker’s social media fee plan faces cost, legality questions
Investigation: Wisconsin’s DPI took uncommon approach with Dells conference
