By Maggie DoughertyCapitol News Illinoismdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com Data centers have been the focus of growing debate across the U.S., facing a push for regulation that would require operators to pay for the energy and water resources they use, among other proposals. But beyond paying to generate new energy, consumer advocates warn that
By Bernarda MalevskaCapitol News Illinoisbmalevska@capitolnewsillinois.com The state of Illinois has erased more than $1.4 billion in medical debt for almost 700,000 Illinoisans for pennies on the dollar, two years after launching a new relief program. At its launch, the Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program aimed to eliminate $1 billion in
By Maggie DoughertyCapitol News Illinoismdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com The Illinois Commerce Commission approved an $82 million rate hike. The amount was negotiated between Nicor Gas and the attorney general’s office as part of a settlement that reduced the company’s original request by nearly two-thirds. The rate increase is expected to add around $2
Kane County treasurer Chris Lauzen announced good news for the County budget: He is raising the projected interest income for the fiscal year ending Nov. 30, 2027 from about $12 million to about $20 million. The additional $8 million can help cover county expenses with revenue earned from investments rather
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved disaster assistance for Kane County residents and businesses impacted by severe storms and flooding July 2–4 and July 27,Homeowners, renters, businesses and certain nonprofit organizations may qualify for low-interest disaster loans to help cover damage and losses not covered by insurance. Homeowners
The Finishing Contractors Association of Illinois (FCAI), headquartered in Aurora, awards $70,000 in academic scholarships to 11 of the 35 students through its Larry Nedrow Scholarship Fund at Fishermen’s Inn in Elburn recently.
The Kane County Board has approved a balanced Fiscal Year 2027 budget totaling just under $403 million, continuing the County’s efforts to strengthen its long-term financial position while maintaining essential services. “Balancing this year’s budget required thoughtful planning, collaboration and a willingness to make difficult decisions,” said Kane County Board
By Dr. Glenn Mollette Creating passive income is lingo that you probably have heard or thought about more than once. Generating an ongoing flow of cash that keeps coming is welcome by most of us. Seminars are often held by different entities explaining their technique for how to build a
The City of Aurora’s Youth Services Division has launched a new, one-time grant opportunity for local non-profits and specific taxing bodies to enhance existing, after-school programs and youth initiatives across the City. The Youth Programs Enhancement Grant will provide $206,000 in total, including $166,000 for after-school programming, equipment purchase grants,
The Kane County Board has approved $824,579 in Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund grants to support 24 community projects across the county during fiscal year 2026. The funding, provided through the county’s annual agreement with Grand Victoria Casino Elgin, will support a range of educational, environmental, social service and capital improvement
Nicor Gas will host a free Community Connection Resource Fair from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9 at West Aurora High School – Veterans Fieldhouse, 1201 W. New York Street, Aurora. The event will run and will feature information on energy efficiency products, bill payment assistance support, career
Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. (PSLS), will offer a free Tax Problem Solving Day Wednesday, July 29 from 9 a.m. to PSLS’ west suburban office at 31W001 E. North Ave., Suite 200, West Chicago. During the event, community members can apply for PSLS services, get help preparing past taxes, including
By Tara SunMedill Illinois News Bureaunews@capitolnewsillinois.com With the growing season well underway in Illinois, farmers once again are struggling to turn an abundant harvest into survival. In 2025, family farm bankruptcies surged 46% Nationwide — reaching 315 filings and marking the third consecutive year of increases. The Midwest recorded 121
DuPage Foundation is pleased to announce it recently awarded more than $1.3 million to DuPage County nonprofit organizations as part of its Spring Community Impact grant program. Grants were awarded to 71 organizations in the health and human services sector—supporting mental health services, housing programs, food insecurity, healthcare and recreation
Five-hundred forty-seven residents of the greater Aurora Area are off to pursue their higher education goals this fall with financial support from their fellow Fox Valley residents, through the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley Scholarship Program. Collectively, the Community Foundation’s 2026 Scholarship Program will award $3 million over
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Governor JB Pritzker signed the eighth budget of his tenure June 16 as he and Illinois Democrats gear up for an election-year battle centered around affordability — though he had to issue a clean-up veto aimed at addressing late-night drafting errors. The fiscal year 2027
By Brenden MooreCapitol News Illinoisbmoore@capitolnewsillinois.com Over his 7½ years in office, governor JB Pritzker has largely gotten his way in the Democratic-supermajority Illinois General Assembly. As he campaigns for a third term as Illinois’ chief executive and weighs a possible 2028 Democratic presidential bid, Pritzker emerged from the spring legislative
By Maggie DoughertyCapitol News Illinoismdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com In a surprise move, governor JB Pritzker announced Friday that he is putting a pause on all new state tax incentives for data centers and calling on lawmakers to pass new data center reforms during the fall veto session. The governor has directed the Illinois
State representative Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, voted in support of the Fiscal Year 2027 Illinois State Budget, a balanced spending plan that strengthens investments in education, public safety, healthcare, and essential services while maintaining Illinois’ commitment to fiscal responsibility. “As lawmakers, one of our most important responsibilities is passing a balanced
By Maggie DoughertyCapitol News Illinoismdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com Watchdog groups are calling on regulators to reject $178 million, or 80%, of a $220.8 million rate hike requested by Nicor Gas earlier this year, citing wasteful capital spending, excessive shareholder profits and “lavish” executive bonuses. Consumer advocate groups including the Citizens Utility Board, the
