Illinois quick hits: Ag incentives announced; Cook County announces increased budget
Ag incentives announced
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Agriculture have announced $67 million in funding to offer cost-share/financial incentives to producers and landowners who implement no-till or strip-till starting in the fall of 2025.
The program intends to promote the implementation of no-till and strip-till via the Partners for Conservation Program and the State of Illinois Priority Climate Action Plan.
CWD testing results by phone
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will use a new automated notification system to relay chronic wasting disease test results to deer hunters, starting with the current deer season.
Hunters who provide provide a mobile phone number with their CWD sample and have a valid email address linked to their “ExploreMoreIL” account will receive text and email notifications of test results.
The check CWD test results website is still available to hunters regardless of whether they receive text or email notifications.
Cook County announces increased budget
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has unveiled a proposed $10 billion budget recommendation for Fiscal Year 2026.
Preckwinkle said the budget does not include layoffs, tax increases or cuts to essential services.
Cook County’s budget increased from $5.2 billion in fiscal year 2018 to $9.94 billion for 2025.
Latest News Stories
Will County Saves Nearly $5.74 Million in Bond Refinancing, Explores Future Borrowing Options
Will County Board Advances New Speed Limits in Green Garden and Frankfort Townships
New Lenox Garage Variance Denied After Neighbor Cites ‘Massive’ Scale and Neighborhood Impact
JJC Celebrates “Future Wolves” Partnerships with Joliet and Troy School Districts
State Veto Session Passes Energy Bill Limiting County Zoning, Approves Toll Hike for Mass Transit
Voting rights group warns CA redistricting push could undermine trust in IL
Chicago downtown office space vacancy rate jumps to record high levels
Mokena Announces Proposed 2025 Property Tax Levy of $2.3 Million
Commission Approves Peotone-Area Farmhouse Split, Overruling Staff’s “Spot Zoning” Concerns
Will County Finance Committee Hits Impasse on 2025 Tax Levy, Postpones Budget Votes
Mokena Library to Get a Facelift with New Native Plant Landscaping
Federal court backs union on feds’ partisan emails