The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) reported an increase in the state's unemployment rate to 4.8% in December, marking a 0.1 percentage point rise from November. This change comes alongside a modest increase in nonfarm payrolls by 1,200 jobs during the same period. The figures are based on preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has secured $7.1 million in federal funding to repair and replace electric vehicle chargers across the state. This initiative is part of the Federal Highway Administration's Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Program, aligning with Governor JB Pritzker's goal to have one million electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2030.
There’s a debate raging over who’s responsible for the surge in homicides and violent crime across the country. California Gov. Gavin Newsom blames Republicans, saying that “8 of the top murder states are red.”
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has announced the availability of $6.4 million in competitive grant funds aimed at strengthening the state's food supply chain. The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program (RFSI) is a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Starting January 22, 2024, applications will be accepted from food and farm businesses and other eligible entities, including nonprofits, local government entities, universities, schools, and hospitals.
Eight communities in Illinois will receive nearly $2.4 million in grants to improve outdoor recreational spaces, as announced by Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). These funds are sourced from the National Park Service's Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and will be administered by IDNR.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued 2,234 home loans totaling $649.9 million in Illinois during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2023, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.