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.
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Emergency Freezer Replacement Approved for Adult Detention Facility
Board Debates Forgiving Road District Loan in 2026 Budget Draft
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Legislative Committee for February 3, 2026
Health & Safety Committee: Opioid Overdose Deaths Drop to Zero in January as Behavioral Health Department Expands Role
Township Weighs Takeover of Union Cemetery to Allow Stone Repairs
State of the College: JJC Announces Plans for New Campus in Grundy County
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Public Works & Transportation Committee for February 3, 2026
Health & Safety Committee: District 3 Board Member Pushes for Expanded Animal Control Services in Monee, Crete
Committee Proposes Incorporation to Block Solar and Data Center Sprawl
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee for Jan. 6, 2026
Legislative Committee: Lobbyists Report on Federal Shutdown and Legislative Outlook
County Authorizes Financial Study of Homer Glen Law Enforcement Contract
