Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Telegraph: Here's how Illinois has spent and plans to spend COVID-19 relief funds
Recently, Madison County released a plan to distribute $19 million in pandemic relief funds. The state has also received more than $8 billion in funding thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act.
In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act became law, becoming the sixth piece of legislation enacted by Congress to provide COVID-19 pandemic-related relief. On July 22, Illinois received $8.127 billion from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund as part of ARPA.
Associated Press: Illinois airports get $94M in upgrades under capital program
Public airports in Illinois will get $94 million in upgrades for dozens of projects, including in Galesburg, the Quad Cities and Bolingbrook, state officials said.
The money is coming through the Rebuild Illinois capital construction program. Overall, there are 96 projects in the state for both large and small airports in urban and rural communities. Local officials will kick in about $11.5 million as well.
ABC 7 Chicago: Illinois rental assistance program reopening for applications
Renters in Illinois who had a hard time paying for housing during the pandemic, can apply for a second round of help starting Monday.
The Illinois Housing Development Authority will accept applications for assistance until January 9.
FOX 32 Chicago: Chicago prepares for COVID omicron variant, though no cases have been detected in Illinois yet
The highly contagious COVID omicron variant hasn’t been confirmed here locally, but authorities predict it’s days away.
Chicago is currently averaging over 600 COVID cases a day. The positivity rate is 4.1% The city will now increase its “Vax at Home” program from five to seven days a week. Chicagoans 5 years and older are eligible.
The Center Square: Elevated inflation could stick around, Illinois Chamber says
Prices are up for everything from gas to food to Christmas presents and some warn it’s going to stick around.
Compared to 2020, prices in October were up 6.2%, according to a recent U.S. Labor Department report. From September to October, they rose 0.9%.