A coalition of businesses and organized labor criticized the energy bill on Thursday for lacking transparency and likely resulting in increased costs for consumers. 

A coalition of businesses groups and organized labor Thursday criticized the omnibus energy bill, which they said will increase business operations by millions of dollars each year, while blasting the ongoing discussions as lacking transparency. 

Gov. JB Pritzker announced the first round of funding for a new effort to close health disparities. State regulators supporting an equity focus at the federal level for student loan reforms. And the state Environmental Protection Agency referred the Superior Battery fire to Attorney General Kwame Raoul for legal action. 

Speaking during a June 17 news conference, House Majority Leader Greg Harris and Gov. JB Pritzker highlighted how the FY 2022 budget used the first round of the American Rescue Plan funds. 

Illinois’ new fiscal year begins Thursday, and under the state budget (SB 2800) signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker earlier this month, the initial wave of billions of dollars sent to the state from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) will soon be allocated.  

Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) withdrew her motion to reconsider the vote on the Chicago elected school board bill, allowing the bill to head to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk. And the Illinois Supreme Court issued new orders designed to speed up trials and relax social distancing rules. 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday hailed Moody’s Investor Services upgrade of the state’s general obligation credit rating.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday hailed Moody’s Investor Services upgrade of the state’s general obligation credit rating on Tuesday, calling it a “major milestone” and a “monumental development.” 

Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority chief executive officer Larita Clark [left] and McCormick Place general manager David Causten showed optimism during Tuesday’s meeting as conventions are scheduled to return to Illinois for the first time in more than a year.

Representatives from the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority expressed renewed optimism Tuesday after lawmakers approved a budget providing the agency financial assistance and as conventions are scheduled to begin officially returning to Illinois after the state’s recent reopening.  

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill that will student athletes to enter endorsement deals. And the Pritzker administration announced an expansion of financial assistance for child care.  

Speaking at an event in North Lawndale on Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker thanked former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel for his early support of a project that now is the recipient of a state-funded grant. [Joel Ebert/The Daily Line]

With a continued focus on helping minority-owned businesses overcome economic barriers, Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday said his administration will launch another round of grant applications available to companies in under-resourced communities.  

Gov. JB Pritzker issued a warning about the Delta COVID-19 variant. Secretary of State Jesse White extended the deadline to renew expiring driver’s licenses. And the Illinois Department of Labor outlined a new reporting requirement for large businesses. 

Rep. Steven Reick (R-Harvard) said during a June 16 House floor debate the state’s more than $5 billion unemployment fund deficit was a “sort of Damocles that’s hanging over” the legislature.

Last week, Illinois received another round of good financial news when Fitch Ratings upgraded its credit outlook for the state to positive. The ratings agency, which previously had a negative outlook for Illinois, said the change reflects the state’s “preservation of fiscal resilience” while noting the Fiscal Year 2022 budget signed by Gov. JB Pritzker this month indicated “further improvements in operating performance and structural balance.”