“Your Timely Roundup of Local, State, and Federal Updates”
Chamber members:
Illinois lawmakers are hitting a key point in the legislative calendar this week as the General Assembly works to keep bills moving. Friday marks the deadline for House bills to advance out of committee in order to be considered on the floor. The Senate faced its own committee deadline earlier this month, putting both chambers firmly into the next phase of the process.
Despite the urgency, few proposals are truly finalized at this stage. A common refrain in committee hearings has been that legislation will return later with amendments, as lawmakers continue to work through concerns and refine details.
*Government Affairs Roundup brought to you by CITGO*
City of Joliet Approves Conditional Annexation for Proposed Joliet Technology Center Development
The City of Joliet has approved the conditional annexation of approximately 795 acres for the proposed Joliet Technology Center, a major technology infrastructure project that could bring significant long-term investment, job creation, and economic activity to the community.
Post Date: 03/19/2026 5:55 PM
JOLIET, IL – The City of Joliet has approved the conditional annexation of approximately 795 acres for the proposed Joliet Technology Center, a major technology infrastructure project that could bring significant long-term investment, job creation, and economic activity to the community.
The annexation is tied to an agreement between the City of Joliet and PowerHouse Hillwood Holding LLC and will take effect upon the developer’s acquisition of the property. The site is planned for development as a data center campus, along with supporting utility infrastructure and related improvements.
“This annexation agreement sets clear expectations for infrastructure, services, and community benefits while helping ensure the project moves forward in a responsible way,” said Joliet City Manager Beth Beatty. “It also delivers substantial new revenue for local taxing bodies and long-term financial benefits for the community,”
The approval represents another important step in the City’s review of a development that has the potential to expand Joliet’s role in advanced technology infrastructure while helping support the community’s long-term economic future. The project is expected to generate approximately $310 million in property taxes over 30 years, in addition to utility taxes. Revenue projections include $677 million for Joliet Township High School District, $76 Million for Joliet Junior College and $146 million for Will County over the same period.
As part of the broader development framework, the plan includes significant commitments to public infrastructure, utility coordination, roadway improvements, and emergency services planning. The project will create 700 permanent onsite jobs and an estimated 7,000–10,000 locally sourced construction jobs. The developer has also committed up to $100 million to improve Joliet’s sidewalks, streets, and City services.
The annexation agreement also ensures that development of the property will move forward under City oversight and in accordance with approved zoning, engineering, and operational requirements.
The City of Joliet’s dedicated webpage for the proposed data center project can be found at Joliet.gov. The site serves as a centralized location for available documents, materials, and updates so residents can easily access project information.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to Provide Residents and Businesses Impacted by the Severe Storms and Flooding in August 2025 with Low-interest Loans
Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Suburban Cook County and City of Chicago and Online Applications will open on Friday, March 20 in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties
CHICAGO: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved a disaster declaration for the severe storms and flooding that impacted six counties in northeastern Illinois from Aug. 16–18, 2025. This declaration will allow homeowners, renters, businesses, and certain non-profit organizations to apply for low-interest loans to help cover damages not covered by insurance.
The declaration includes the Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. These areas qualify for both physical disaster loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) through the SBA. The SBA staff will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center(s) starting Friday, March 20 to allow disaster survivors to ask questions in person and obtain assistance in applying for two kinds of loan assistance: physical damage loans (all six counties) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) (all six counties).
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS), Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) and the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) are working with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide assistance to residents impacted by the August storm with disaster loan assistance.
Homeowners and renters can apply for up to $500,000 in low-interest loans to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners or renters can apply for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property such as appliances and furniture. Businesses and some not-for-profits can borrow up to $2 million for physical damages.
The SBA’s EIDL program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations that have suffered financial losses as a direct result of the disaster. However, the SBA cannot offer disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for those operating small aquaculture enterprises.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Friday, May 15. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Wednesday, December 16.
State of Illinois SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC)
Residents can apply for the disaster assistance at one of the SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center the locations list below or online at sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance beginning Friday, March 20. The locations include the Downtown U.S. Small Business Administration office, select Chicago Aldermanic Offices, as well as three suburban Cook County locations.
Note: All impacted residents, regardless of where they live, can go to any Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) site, even if it is not their Ward, county or municipality. Each location will have a Spanish translator available.
Suburban Cook County Locations
March 20 – April 9
Village of Berwyn Senior Center
3320 Grove Ave., Berwyn, IL 60402
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Summit Park District
5700 S. Archer Rd., Summit, IL 60501
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
March 20 – March 28
Mt. Prospect Emergency Operations Center
1720 Central Rd., Mt. Prospect, IL 60056
Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
City of Chicago Downtown Office (appointment only)
332 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: 312-353-4528
Illinois | U.S. Small Business Administration
Online Applications
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
IDOT: Chicago Street Interchange at I-80 Construction Begins 3/25
IDOT will be conducting lane closures on Chicago Street (U.S. 52/Illinois 53) between McDonough Street (U.S. 6/52) and Doris Avenue beginning Wednesday, March 25.
IDOT will be conducting lane closures on Chicago Street (U.S. 52/Illinois 53) between McDonough Street (U.S. 6/52) and Doris Avenue beginning Wednesday, March 25. The work, originally scheduled to start March 26, was rescheduled due to expected inclement weather.
At least one lane in both directions will remain open for approximately one month while temporary pavement and other site needs are completed to accommodate traffic during the interchange’s reconstruction.
A copy of IDOT’s press release is available at the link below.
https://illinois-department-of-transportation.prezly.com/chicago-street-interchange-at-i-80-construction-begins-week-of-march-2?utm_source=prezly.com&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=UPDATE%3A+Chicago+Street+interchange+at+I-80+construction+begins+week+of+March+2&utm_id=65c0b0bb-e969-499a-91c2-72f1ee282ad4&utm_content=story+title
$20 Million Grant Suggested for After‑School Programs Impacted by Federal Cuts
Illinois lawmakers are considering a $20 million state grant to backfill funding for after-school programs that lost federal support, as debate continues over the role of diversity, equity and inclusion language in education grants.
A House Appropriations subcommittee this week heard testimony on two bills — HB 5362 and HB 5363 — that would direct $20 million from the state’s General Revenue Fund to the Afterschool for Children and Teens Now (ACT Now) Coalition. The funding would support 32 full-service community schools across Illinois that were previously part of a federally funded program.
Those schools recently lost roughly $18.5 million in federal grant funding after the U.S. Department of Education revoked support, citing guidance tied to a July 2025 memo from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The memo directed federal agencies to pull back grants containing language related to diversity, equity and inclusion, which it classified as discriminatory.
The proposed legislation aims to stabilize those programs at the state level. One of the bills outlines how the funding would be distributed among participating schools.
Supporters told lawmakers the programs have produced measurable benefits in both urban and rural communities, including improved student outcomes and expanded access to after-school services.
“Members of this committee, this is not about creating a new system. It’s about strengthening and sustaining one that already delivers results across Illinois,” said Susan Stanton, executive director of the ACT Now Coalition.
Republican lawmakers raised concerns about whether the programs are tied to DEI initiatives. State Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Louisville, suggested the issue could be resolved by removing such language. “Just get rid of the DEI language. Just get rid of it and you probably won’t have a problem,” Wilhour said.
Program advocates pushed back, saying the grants were not built around DEI requirements and that simply changing language would not restore the lost funding. They also noted that no new federal applications are being accepted, limiting options for reinstatement. Instead, they emphasized the programs’ focus on addressing local community needs.
The subcommittee did not take a vote on the bills. They could advance to the full House Appropriations Committee, where lawmakers may consider amendments before deciding whether to move the measure forward.
Insurance Industry Legislation Update
Illinois lawmakers are moving forward with a broad effort to reshape the state’s insurance market, as the House last Thursday approved legislation aimed at addressing rising costs for drivers and homeowners.
The proposal, Senate Bill 1486, would require insurance companies to provide at least 60 days’ notice before implementing significant rate increases. It would also give state regulators expanded authority to reject rates considered “excessive” or “unfairly discriminatory,” and prohibit insurers from passing along out-of-state risk costs to Illinois policyholders.
Supporters say the measure is designed to add transparency and accountability to how premiums are set, as many Illinois residents continue to see higher auto and homeowners insurance bills.
The legislation is tied to Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ “Driving Change” campaign, which has focused attention on how insurers calculate rates. The initiative has drawn scrutiny to the use of factors such as credit scores, ZIP codes and age — criteria that advocates argue can disproportionately impact working families and communities of color.
With House approval secured, the bill now heads back to the Senate for further consideration.
New $4.4 Billion Budget Request from New Illinois Early Childhood Agency
Illinois’ new early childhood agency is seeking a $4.4 billion budget for its first full fiscal year — a request that quickly drew scrutiny from lawmakers questioning whether the effort will actually streamline government or simply shift costs.
During a House Appropriations Committee hearing Tuesday, Illinois Department of Early Childhood Secretary Teresa Ramos outlined the proposal, describing the funding as critical to stabilizing a new agency still in its early stages.
Created by lawmakers in 2024, the department is designed to consolidate early childhood programs that are currently spread across multiple state agencies. The goal, Ramos said, is to improve coordination and effectiveness of services for young children and families. The agency is expected to take on full operations by fiscal year 2027.
The budget request reflects that transition. Much of the funding would follow programs as they move under the new department’s umbrella, including childcare assistance, early intervention services, home visiting programs, maternal and child health initiatives, day care licensing, and the State Board of Education’s Early Childhood Block Grant.
Ramos told lawmakers the lump-sum request gives the agency flexibility to manage unexpected challenges as it builds out operations, emphasizing that the focus on “efficiency” is about improving outcomes rather than simply reducing costs.
That explanation did little to ease concerns from some Republicans.
State Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Louisville, who has opposed the agency since its creation, questioned whether the restructuring will lead to a larger government footprint without delivering savings. “It doesn’t make any sense on efficiency if it’s not less overall. If we’re just taking their money and putting it somewhere else […] we’re making government way bigger,” Wilhour said.
The exchange underscored the central tension facing the new agency: whether consolidating early childhood programs will ultimately deliver better services — or just a bigger price tag.
Stay well,
Mike Paone
Executive Vice President
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry
mpaone@jolietchamber.com
815.727.5371 main
815.727.5373 direct