Illinois quick hits: State sues over frozen funds; Nicor Gas seeks rate hike

Illinois quick hits: State sues over frozen funds; Nicor Gas seeks rate hike

Spread the love

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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Don’t count on lower electricity prices in 2026

Don’t count on lower electricity prices in 2026

By Lauren JessopThe Center Square For 67 million people relying on electricity from the regional power grid, PJM, cheaper utility bills in 2026 are little more than a pipe dream....
NL School District 122 Graphic

District 122 Authorizes $8 Million in Bonds for HVAC; Partners with Park District on Playgrounds

New Lenox School District 122 Board Meeting | Nov. 2025 Article Summary:The School Board moved forward with major capital projects, authorizing the issuance of $8 million in Life Safety Bonds...
Screenshot 2025-12-20 at 12.27.11 PM

Lincoln-Way Board Approves $731,000 Freshman Laptop Purchase

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | December 18, 2025 Article Summary: The District 210 Board of Education authorized the purchase of 1,750 Lenovo laptops to equip the incoming...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Monee Solar Farm Projects Granted Extensions

Will County Board Meeting | December 18, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board granted six-month extensions for two special use permits related to commercial solar energy facilities in Monee...

WATCH: Report: Americans are still paying off credit debt from last Christmas

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square If your last-minute Christmas shopping requires a credit card, you are not alone. According to a new WalletHub report, many Americans are still paying off...
Congressional Conflicts: Curb on lawmakers’ stock trades draws fire for being weak

Congressional Conflicts: Curb on lawmakers’ stock trades draws fire for being weak

By Mark StricherzThe Center Square A limited ban on stock trading by Congress might get a vote next year after a 2012 law did not do enough to stem the...
Wyoming's year in review: Education savings, contentious spending

Wyoming’s year in review: Education savings, contentious spending

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Wyoming lawmakers passed legislation to expand education savings accounts and property tax protections in 2025. However, the legislature remained divided on substantial spending increases to...
U.S. House advances GOP-backed energy reliability bill

U.S. House advances GOP-backed energy reliability bill

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Legislation looking to lower energy prices nationally successfully passed the U.S. House on a slightly bipartisan vote. H.R. 3628, titled the “State Planning for Reliability...
Illinois’ safe gun storage law goes into effect Jan. 1

Illinois’ safe gun storage law goes into effect Jan. 1

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Components of Illinois Safe Gun Storage Act go into effect Jan. 1. Supporters of Senate Bill 8,...
New-Lenox-School-122.7

New Lenox School Board Approves “Balloon” Tax Levy; Actual Increase Expected at 4.7%

New Lenox School District 122 Board Meeting | Nov. 2025 Article Summary:The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education approved its 2025 property tax levy following a public hearing....
New Lenox Township.3

New Lenox Township Sets Preliminary Tax Levies; No Public Hearing Required

New Lenox Township Board Meeting | Nov. 13, 2025 Article Summary: The New Lenox Township Board of Trustees determined that the 2025 tax levies for both the township and the...
Sufyan Farhan

Frankfort Man Arrested in Gas Station Robbery Found Hiding in McDonald’s Restroom

Article Summary: Sufyan Farhan, 27, was arrested on December 21 following an armed robbery at a Frankfort Circle K. Deputies located the suspect hiding in a nearby McDonald's restroom after...
New-Lenox-Village-Board.1

Village Moves to Upgrade Police Fleet and Sewer Infrastructure

New Lenox Village Board Meeting | December 15, 2025 Article Summary: The New Lenox Village Board on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, authorized the purchase of three new police interceptors and...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for December 11, 2025

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | December 11, 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Executive Committee met on Thursday, December 11, 2025, tackling a diverse agenda that included...
Planning & Zoning Graphic.4

New Lenox Homeowner Granted Variance for 4,000-Square-Foot Accessory Space

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 16, 2025 Article Summary: A New Lenox homeowner received approval to build a large pole barn that exceeds the county's size limits...