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

Will County Board Graphic.03

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee for May 5, 2026

Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 The Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee focused heavily on long-term infrastructure planning during its...
Pittsburgh nurses lead charge for paid leave, for everyone

Pittsburgh nurses lead charge for paid leave, for everyone

By Christen SmithThe Center Square Nurses across southwestern Pennsylvania see a simple answer to record-breaking staffing shortages and worsening healthcare outcomes for mothers and babies: paid family leave, not just...
Existing-home sales edge up in April as affordability improves

Existing-home sales edge up in April as affordability improves

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Existing-home sales rose 0.2% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.02 million, rebounding after a 3.6% drop in March, according to the...
Accused correspondents' dinner shooter pleads not guilty to all charges

Accused correspondents’ dinner shooter pleads not guilty to all charges

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The accused White House Correspondents' Association Dinner shooter pleaded not guilty in federal court on Monday to all charges, including an attempt to assassinate President...
Illinois Quick Hits: Diesel passes $6; unleaded price drops

Illinois Quick Hits: Diesel passes $6; unleaded price drops

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The average price for a gallon of diesel fuel in Illinois has gone over the $6 mark...
U.S. Senate panel to examine fertilizer costs, food prices

U.S. Senate panel to examine fertilizer costs, food prices

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on Tuesday afternoon looking at disruptions in the fertilizer industry and the impact rising costs are...
Will County P&Z Logo Planning Zoning

Green Garden Solar Project Cleared to Implement Higher “Agrivoltaic” Standards

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved four variances on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, to facilitate...

Everyday Economics: Stable but weak under the surface

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The April jobs report looked fine. Payrolls rose, unemployment held at 4.3%, hours ticked up. Nothing broke. But look one layer down and the picture...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Committee: Facilities Department Reports $92,000 in Energy Savings, Completes Veterans Assistance Commission Buildout

Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryAssistant Director of Facilities Ken Rogalski reported significant energy savings and the completion of key county...
Lincoln Way Central Baseball Graphic

Early Offensive Barrage Propels Minooka Past Lincoln-Way Central 14-2

The Minooka varsity baseball team unleashed a relentless offensive assault on Saturday afternoon, defeating visiting Lincoln-Way Central 14-2 in a non-conference matchup that was halted after five innings due to...
Nebraska voters to elect party representatives

Nebraska voters to elect party representatives

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Nebraska will head to the polls on Tuesday to nominate party representatives for U.S. Senate, U.S. House and the state legislature. Prominent incumbents...
U.S. farmers struggling with high price of fuel, fertilizer as bankruptcies rise

U.S. farmers struggling with high price of fuel, fertilizer as bankruptcies rise

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As Congress continues working on the long-overdue federal farm bill, American farmers entering planting season are facing a grim financial landscape. Due to the U.S.-Iran...
Trump, Xi meeting to be packed with slew of hot topics

Trump, Xi meeting to be packed with slew of hot topics

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After postponing a scheduled trip to China from March to May due to the U.S. strikes on Iran, President Donald Trump is set to visit...
Will County P&Z Logo Planning Zoning

Green Garden Solar Farm Approved in Split Vote; Battery Storage Component Rejected

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval for a new 4.98-megawatt solar facility in Green...
Lincoln Way Central Softball Graphic

Lee Leads Knights to 4-3 Victory Over Sandburg

The Lincoln-Way Central varsity softball team secured a hard-fought conference victory on Friday, holding off Sandburg for a 4-3 win. The Knights’ offense struck early, pushing a run across in...