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.
Latest News Stories
Trump administration halts $259M in Medicaid funds to Minnesota
State of Union criticized by Southwest Dems, praised by GOP
IL can gag charter school operators over teacher unionization, judge says
Consumer advocates, Illinois lawmakers target ‘unnecessary’ utility costs
Large taxpayer costs coming to Indiana or Illinois for new Bears stadium
Trump’s tariffs set to rise to 15% for some countries, Greer says
Clintons to face questions from lawmakers this week over Epstein ties
Auditor general nomination approved unanimously in Illinois
Supreme Court blocks ICE contractor immunity appeal
Report: Patchwork state food laws could raise grocery prices 12% nationwide
Trump calls out Minnesota in State of the Union, prompting Democrat protests
Parents could gain access to school discipline evidence under proposed bill