103rd ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly remains adjourned until the November Veto Session.
This week, Speaker Emmanuel “Chris” Welch created a House Democrat working designed to look more closely at Illinois’ public transit system and provide recommendations on how it can better serve the communities that rely on it.
The Public Transit Working Group will be led by Representatives Kam Buckner and Eva-Dina Delgado. Other members include Representatives Dagmara Avelar, Diane Blair-Sherlock, Mary Beth Canty, William “Will” Davis, Mary Gill, Matt Hanson, Barbara Hernandez, Hoan Huynh, Natalie Manley, Rita Mayfield, Anna Moeller, Yolanda Morris and Marty Moylan. According to the Speaker, the working group “will engage all stakeholders, review any current proposals, and foster new ideas and solutions to strengthen the existing transit system”.
The House Health Care Availability & Accessibility Committee will hold a subject matter hearing on September 11 at 10 am in the Bilandic Building in Chicago to discuss pharmacy benefit managers and specialty medications.
Meanwhile, the House State Government Administration Committee will hold a hearing on September 18 at 11 am in the Bilandic Building in Chicago to discuss HB 4418.
GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Restore, Renew, and Reinvest Grants Awarded: The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority awarded $35 million in grants through the Restore, Renew, and Reinvest (R3) Program. The grants, which use revenue from adult-use, recreational cannabis sales, will fund 88 programs run by local organizations across the state. Grants were awarded to organizations that serve residents of designated eligible R3 zones. The R3 program empowers nonprofits, small businesses, and faith-based organizations to repair harm and build safer communities. Read more here.
COVID-19: With new cases of COVID-19 rising nationwide, the Illinois Department of Veteran’s Affairs is likewise reporting an uptick in cases at Illinois’ three veteran’s homes. All homes continue to follow Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Illinois Department of Public Health(IDPH) infection control guidelines for long-term care facilities. IDVA is encouraging residents to stay in their rooms to minimize movement, social distancing, masking in direct care areas, and has intensified cleaning and disinfection protocols.
West Nile Virus: This week, Illinois reported its first West Nile related human death of 2024. The individual, who was in their eighties, resided in Lake County and contracted the virus earlier this month. IDPH is also reporting nine non-fatal cases of WNV confirmed to date this year. Read more here.
EV Manufacturing: Ymer Technology, a manufacturer of electric vehicle components for the heavy equipment industry, opened its new U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove. The company’s $5.7 million investment, bolstered by a Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) agreement, will enable Ymer Technology to produce cooling technology and thermal management systems for EVs while supporting Illinois’ clean energy economy. Read more here.
Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (GIGO) Program: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is offering $5 million in grant funding for projects that will improve water quality in Illinois. The NOFO for the Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (GIGO) Program is posted at here. Applications are due by noon on November 20, 2024.
The GIGO Program seeks proposals for projects containing green infrastructure best management practices (BMPs) that prevent, eliminate, or reduce stormwater runoff, reducing localized or riverine flooding in Illinois’ rivers, streams, and lakes. Projects that implement treatment trains (multiple BMPs in series) and/or multiple BMPs within the same watershed are encouraged as they may be more effective and efficient than a single large green infrastructure BMP. BMPs may be located on public or private land.
Additional information is here. Applicants must apply for GIGO through the GATA Grantee Portal.
Job Training and Economic Development (JTED) Teacher Apprenticeship Program: Three Illinois universities – DePaul University, McKendree University and the University of Illinois Chicago – received $1.5 million in grant funding through the Job Training and Economic Development (JTED) Teacher Apprenticeship Program. This pilot program will provide career pathway opportunities and supportive services for successful placement into the teacher workforce.
The JTED Teacher Apprenticeship Program is creating pilots throughout the state to upscale currently employed paraprofessional educators. Educator preparation providers will lead these pilot programs with partnerships from local education and workforce agencies. Throughout the program, curriculum and competencies will be refined, and after the program, Illinois will have defined best practices and exemplary models for a Department of Labor registered Teacher Apprenticeship.
Community Development Block Grant Program: Approximately $26.5 million in funding is available through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) for Public Infrastructure and Housing Rehabilitation.
Public infrastructure grants are designed to provide communities with funding to improve public infrastructure, public health and quality of life. These projects include construction of storm sewer pipes, waterline replacements, and water storage tank construction, and other critical projects that help mitigate flooding and support sewage management, water delivery and other public water necessities.
Housing rehabilitation grants are designed to assist low-to-moderate income homeowners with improvements to ensure safe and sanitary living conditions. Eligible uses of funds include structural work, lead remediation, electrical, plumbing, new appliances, flooring, ADA, and accessibility accommodations, and more.
Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. Eligible applicants can apply for Public Infrastructure grants from $300,000 to $1 million and Housing Rehabilitation grants from $300,000 to $650,000. Applications for both grants will be accepted until December 4, 2024, at 5 p.m.
Applications for economic development funding will be accepted on a rolling basis. DCEO will be hosting an Administration and Application Workshop for grant applicants on October 1, 2024, and October 2, 2024, at the Northfield Center in Springfield at 8:30 to12:30. p.m. Interested applicants can register and apply for grants on the DCEO website.
Gubernatorial Appointments: Governor Pritzker appointed the following:
· James Fuentes will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Finance Authority.
· Daniel Swanson will serve as an Arbitrator of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Gerald Granada will continue to serve as an Arbitrator of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Joseph Amarilio will continue to serve as an Arbitrator of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Jeffrey Huebsch will continue to serve as an Arbitrator of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Paul Cellini will continue to serve as an Arbitrator of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Maureen Pulia will continue to serve as an Arbitrator of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Nina Mariano will continue to serve as an Arbitrator of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Jessica Hegarty will continue to serve as an Arbitrator of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Crystal Caison will continue to serve as an Arbitrator of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Luana Montoya will serve as an Arbitrator of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Ana Vazquez will continue to serve as an Arbitrator of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Adam Hinrichs will continue to serve as an Arbitrator of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.