“Your Timely Roundup of Local, State, and Federal Updates”
Chamber members:
I hope you are all enjoying these nice fall days in October. Today’s update has a little bit of everything to read over. See below about cyberattacks, power grid update, medical debt payments, high-speed rail, and of course the Bears (off the field news) as we near the veto session.
Remember to get out and vote – whether it’s on November 3 or earlier!
*Government Affairs Roundup brought to you by CITGO*
Cyberattacks on the Rise as Illinois Lawmakers Explore Potential Safeguards
Illinois lawmakers heard from cybersecurity experts as they considered ways to strengthen protections against growing cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure, businesses and government systems.
The House Cybersecurity, Data Analytics and IT Committee examined the evolving threat landscape, including risks to municipal water systems, manufacturing and other sectors critical to the state’s economy.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said the FBI received nearly 33,000 cybercrime complaints in Illinois in 2025, with reported losses totaling $535 million — an increase of $56 million from the previous year. Illinois ranked fifth nationally in reported cybercrime.
Kelly identified foreign adversaries, including China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, as a significant long-term threat, citing their efforts to conduct espionage, gain persistent access to networks and position themselves for potential disruptive attacks.
Experts also warned that cyberattacks against critical infrastructure can exploit basic security weaknesses, creating risks for communities and potentially costly consequences for taxpayers.
Bill Bowers, chief information security officer for American Water, the nation’s largest water and wastewater utility, said some attacks on water systems have involved operational technology connected directly to the internet with weak or default passwords. He warned that artificial intelligence is making it easier for attackers to identify vulnerable systems and attempt to exploit them.
Lawmakers discussed potential requirements for municipal water systems to regularly test their cybersecurity protections, report on system readiness and follow baseline security standards. The discussion also included establishing clear procedures for reporting cybersecurity breaches before an incident occurs.
Preparing for an attack also means ensuring essential services can continue operating if computer systems fail. Bowers said American Water regularly tests whether plant operators can run facilities manually without relying on computer systems, providing a backup if digital controls become unavailable.
The hearing is expected to help inform legislation under consideration in Springfield, with some proposals potentially advancing during the General Assembly’s fall veto session, scheduled for Nov. 17-19 and Dec. 1-3.
For Illinois businesses and communities, the discussion underscores the growing importance of cybersecurity preparedness, particularly for critical infrastructure and manufacturers whose operations depend on reliable digital systems. Strengthening protection while maintaining reliable operations will remain an important consideration as lawmakers weigh potential new requirements.
Federal Power Grid Emergency Includes Northern Illinois
The U.S. Department of Energy has declared an Energy Emergency Alert affecting the PJM Interconnection power grid, which serves 13 states and more than 67 million people, including parts of northern Illinois.
The emergency order took place over a couple of days last week and allowed certain power plants in the region to operate outside normal restrictions to help maintain electricity supplies and reduce the risk of blackouts.
Northern Illinois, including the Chicago area, is part of the PJM grid because ComEd, the region’s largest electric utility, joined the system in 2004. According to PJM data, affected Illinois locations include Manhattan, Crete, Morris, Elgin, Aurora, Pekin, University Park, Waukegan and Cordova.
Officials cited several factors behind the alert, including expectations for elevated electricity demand, a high number of generators scheduled for maintenance during the fall and planned outages affecting transmission lines.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the order would make additional generation capacity, including backup power, available as needed to help families and businesses maintain access to reliable electricity.
The declaration does not mean widespread blackouts were imminent and none were reported to my knowledge at the time of this update. The Department of Energy said approximately 35 gigawatts of unused backup generation capacity remains available nationwide should additional power be needed.
Wright also criticized previous administrations’ energy policies, arguing that they left parts of the PJM region more vulnerable to electricity shortages. He said the department would use available measures, including emergency orders, to help prevent disruptions.
PJM Interconnection serves all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia.
The alert highlights the importance of maintaining adequate generation capacity and reliable transmission infrastructure as utilities balance electricity demand, planned maintenance and the need to provide dependable power to homes and businesses.
Illinois Spends Less Than $10 Million to Eliminate $1.4 Billion in Medical Debt
Illinois has eliminated more than $1.4 billion in medical debt for nearly 700,000 residents, spending less than $10 million in state funds since launching its Medical Debt Relief Program two years ago.
The initiative exceeded its original goal of eliminating $1 billion in medical debt by $400 million. According to the state, every dollar invested has erased more than $100 in debt.
The results were made possible through a partnership with Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that works with governments and health care providers to purchase and eliminate qualifying medical debt owed by eligible residents.
“Medical debt is a leading cause of bankruptcy,” Governor JB Pritzker said at a news conference in Chicago. He noted that medical bills can damage credit, limit financial opportunities and create financial hardship long after treatment ends.
Who qualifies for relief?
Illinois residents qualify if their household income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or if their medical debt equals at least 5% of their household income. Residents do not need to apply. Those whose qualifying debts are eliminated receive notification by mail.
The program has provided an average of more than $1,200 in debt relief per recipient, with the largest individual amount exceeding $900,000. Relief has reached residents in all 102 Illinois counties.
In 40 counties, more than 5% of residents received relief. Kankakee County had one of the highest rates, with more than 21.5% of its residents benefiting.
Cook County model
The statewide initiative builds on Cook County’s Medical Debt Relief Initiative, launched in 2022. That program has eliminated an additional $1 billion in medical debt, reaching approximately 22% of eligible adults.
Cook County initially financed its initiative through federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, which expires this year. County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said the county plans to continue the effort using its own budget. Preckwinkle said the state and county programs are particularly important as changes in federal health care policy could make coverage more difficult for some residents to maintain.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has warned that anticipated federal changes could include more frequent eligibility reviews for certain Medicaid recipients and new work requirements beginning in 2027.
Steph Willding, CEO of Community Health, which provides services to low-income, uninsured and underinsured patients, said eliminating medical debt helps remove financial barriers to care.
Focus shifts to preventing medical debt
State and county officials say the next phase of the initiative will focus on understanding why residents accumulate medical debt and developing policies to address its underlying causes.
For Illinois, the program demonstrates how a relatively small investment of public funds can eliminate a substantial amount of outstanding medical debt. Officials also face the longer-term challenge of addressing the financial pressures that lead residents to accumulate those bills in the first place.
Governor Pritzker Optimistic Illinois Can Reach Deal to Keep Bears During Veto Session
Governor JB Pritzker says he believes Illinois lawmakers can reach an agreement during the upcoming fall veto session to keep the Chicago Bears from moving their proposed stadium development to Indiana.
“I believe that in November we’re going to be able to get something done to keep the Bears in the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said during a televised debate with Republican challenger Darren Bailey on WTTW.
The Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to return to Springfield for veto session dates in November and December. However, similar optimism preceded the end of the legislature’s regular spring session when lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on stadium-related legislation.
Governor Pritzker, his staff, and senior legislative leaders recently met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Pat Ryan Sr., who owns a minority stake in the Bears, as discussions continue over the team’s future. The Bears are weighing a new stadium in Arlington Heights at the former Arlington International Racecourse site against a potential move to Hammond, Indiana, where lawmakers approved supporting legislation this spring.
The team has sought state legislative action to make its Arlington Heights proposal financially viable. A key issue is establishing long-term certainty over property taxes on the proposed stadium site, along with addressing the cost of infrastructure needed to support the development.
Illinois lawmakers have also discussed a potential public-ownership structure that could help finance stadium-related infrastructure without requiring the state to directly fund stadium construction. Those efforts stalled during the spring session, leaving the team without a legislative agreement.
For Illinois, the stakes extend beyond football. A new stadium and surrounding development could generate construction activity, jobs, business investment and additional economic activity for the region. At the same time, lawmakers must weigh the project’s potential benefits against questions surrounding property taxes, infrastructure costs and the appropriate role of government in supporting private development.
Governor Pritzker’s latest comments signal renewed hope for a deal, but an agreement will depend on whether the governor and legislative leaders can resolve the outstanding issues during the veto session.
High-Speed Rail Feasibility Study
The Illinois Department of Transportation is leading the High-Speed Rail Study to determine the necessity and feasibility of a statewide high-speed railway network for Illinois.
This study was developed in response to the establishment of the High-Speed Rail Commission. On August 6, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the High-Speed Railway Commission Act (20 ILCS 4102) into law. This legislation established a 21-member commission responsible for developing a statewide plan for a high-speed rail line and feeder network.
The study, in accordance with the Commission, will propose a plan for a network linking St. Louis, MO, and Chicago, IL, integrating existing Amtrak and Metra services, and linking Rockford, Moline, Peoria, and Decatur. Additionally, intercity bus services will be coordinated with the rail line.
The Illinois Department of Transportation along with the Illinois High-Speed Railway Commission will be hosting a public event for the High-Speed Rail Feasibility Study. It will be an on-line event that can be viewed anytime between October 23rd and November 6th on the project website at www.ILHighSpeedRail.com
You can attend any time that is convenient for you. Due to the volume of information to convey, the event has been divided into 8 modules, each with a video covering that topic. Strong public participation throughout the state is needed for the success of this study.
The Commissioners are interested in your feedback and encourage you to take time to review the materials and leave comments at the online event.
SBA Offers Relief
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of low- interest federal disaster loans for businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flash flooding occurring June 6 – 26.
The declaration covers the Indiana counties of Clark, Crawford, Dubois, Elkhart, Floyd, Gibson, Harrison, Jasper, Jefferson, Jennings, Knox, Kosciusko, Lagrange, Lake, Marshall, Newton, Noble, Pike, Porter, Posey, Ripley, Scott, Spencer, St. Joseph, Switzerland, Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Washington, the Illinois counties of Cook, Kankakee, Wabash, White, and Will, the Kentucky counties of Carroll, Daviess, Hardin, Henderson, Jefferson, Meade, and Trimble, as well as the Michigan counties of Cass and St. Joseph, which are eligible for both physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from SBA.
Businesses and private nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.
“When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers perform an important role by assisting small businesses and their communities,” said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery at SBA. “At these centers, our specialists help business owners and residents apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to support their recovery.”
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofits — including faith-based organizations — impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills which could not be paid due to the disaster.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for private nonprofits, and 3.00% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Federal Reserve’s 2026 Small Business Credit Survey
Owners and key financial decision makers of for-profit businesses, share your recent experiences about what financial conditions you face, whether and how you use debt, and more. Your perspective matters. Answers to these questions contribute to data that directly informs the Fed, federal government agencies, service providers, policymakers, and others, a public good ultimately benefiting your business and others like yours.
Survey closes November 13, 2026. Click below to take the 12-minute survey now:
https://fedreserveboard.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_38k9xZy8ayEERue?orgID=20261024
Stay well,
Mike Paone
Executive Vice President
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry
mpaone@jolietchamber.com
815.727.5371 main
815.727.5373 direct