To stay updated on Governor Pritzker’s most recent press conferences, please visit the Governor’s Twitter page @GovPritzker or the Governor’s Facebook page @GovPritzker for the latest livestreams. Downloadable video footage of press conferences can also be accessed at the following link: https://cms.illinois.gov/agency/media/video/videos.html 

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To stay updated on Governor Pritzker’s most recent press conferences, please visit the Governor’s Twitter page @GovPritzker or the Governor’s...

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State finalizes selections to attract investments and create jobs, with nearly 90% of approved tracts in underserved areas

Gov. Pritzker Announces Approval of 240 Illinois Census Tracts for Opportunity Zones 2.0

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that the State of Illinois has received approval for 240 qualifying census tracts from the U.S. Department of the Treasury as part of Opportunity Zones 2.0, completing the State's evaluation and engagement process for the next round of federally-designated Opportunity Zones. A map of the approved tracts can be found on DCEO's Opportunity Zones webpage.

Governor outlines approximately 200 policy proposals for the newly-elected Congress to deliver for Illinoisans

Gov. Pritzker Releases “Fighting for Illinois: Day One Agenda”

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Senator Tammy Duckworth, and community leaders to announce “Fighting for Illinois: The Day One Agenda,” a set of policy proposals for the newly-elected U.S. Congress to provide urgent relief for the people of Illinois. This agenda encourages Congress to take decisive action to address the real challenges of everyday people, puts higher wages and affordable healthcare front and center, and lowers costs so American families can enjoy the life they’ve worked hard to build.

Illinois Department of Labor Director to depart at the end of the month; Incoming director to begin on November 1 

Gov. Pritzker Announces Agency Leadership Transition

CHICAGO – Today, Governor Pritzker announced the departure of Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) Director Jane Flanagan. Having overseen a period of growth and reinvestment in the agency, Flanagan will depart at the end of October.

Powered by BUILD, new and expanded programs make housing more affordable for Illinoisans across the state

Gov. Pritzker Announces $156 Million in Funding for Housing

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced $156 million in investments for housing initiatives as part of Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD)—Governor Pritzker’s comprehensive housing plan designed to address Illinois’ housing crisis and support Illinois working families. Of the $156 million in total investments, $103 million is new funding secured for the FY27 budget as part of BUILD.

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced that Raven DeVaughn will serve as Senior Advisor, overseeing the legislative and policy portfolios within the Governor’s Office. DeVaughn currently serves as Director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). She will begin this role on November 16.

Gov. Pritzker Names Raven DeVaughn Senior Advisor

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced that Raven DeVaughn will serve as Senior Advisor, overseeing the legislative and policy portfolios...

CTE programs now serve more than one in four community college students

Career and Technical Education Enrollment Grows by Nearly 6 Percent at Illinois Community Colleges

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) announced that enrollment in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at Illinois community colleges grew 5.9 percent this fall as more students continue to turn to career-focused training, the highest in nine years. This increase reflects Governor Pritzker’s commitment to ensuring community colleges have diverse career and training offerings that lead to good-paying jobs.

2,284 retailers participated in tax holiday, making school essentials more affordable for Illinois families

Gov. Pritzker Provides $11.4 Million in Savings During the 2026 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced that the 2026 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday provided an estimated $11.4 million in savings for Illinois families – exceeding the $10 million savings estimate. The tax holiday, held August 7 through August 16, reduced the state sales tax rate on clothing, footwear and school supplies. Approximately 2,284 retailers sold an estimated $229.3 million in qualifying items during that period. The reduced rate applied to purchases made both in stores and online.

Overall enrollment increased for the third consecutive year despite demographic change forecasts

Gov. Pritzker Announces Illinois Public Universities Achieved Highest Enrollment Level in Over a Decade

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) announced that enrollment at public universities in Illinois reached the highest level since 2015, with more than 190,000 students enrolled during the fall semester of the 2026-27 academic year. Total enrollment at Illinois public universities increased for the third consecutive year and is the highest in 11 years according to IBHE’s annual First Look Fall Enrollment report.

Announcement represents largest single Illinois job creation commitment for manufacturing in recent history

Gov. Pritzker Announces Hyundai Translead to Create 3,750 New Jobs in Will County

JOLIET – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that Hyundai Translead is expanding its planned investment in Will County – creating a total of 3,750 new full-time jobs and investing $600 million. Since announcing its decision to establish an Illinois manufacturing presence in March 2026, Hyundai Translead has decided to add a third shift in order to meet growing demand. To support the project and provide opportunities for Illinoisans to train in advanced manufacturing, the State is also investing in a new Manufacturing Training Academy (MTA) at Joliet Junior College (JJC).

Twenty-four schools were recognized for exemplary academic achievement; state program models prestigious federal Blue Ribbon program canceled by the Trump Administration  

Gov. Pritzker Announces 2026 Governor's Blue Ribbon Schools  

ELMWOOD PARK – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced 24 schools recognized as 2026 Governor's Blue Ribbon Schools during a recognition ceremony at John Mills Elementary School in Elmwood Park. Now in its second year, the program celebrates schools that demonstrate educational excellence through high academic achievement or significant progress in closing achievement gaps.

CHICAGO – This week, Governor JB Pritzker joined community leaders and legislators to highlight two key initiatives focused on putting money back into the pockets of working families. While the federal government causes prices to rise and strips people of critical services, the State of Illinois is helping Illinoisans afford essentials by expanding tax credits and providing medical debt relief.

ICYMI: Gov. Pritzker Doubles Down on Affordability Initiatives for Illinois Working Families

CHICAGO – This week, Governor JB Pritzker joined community leaders and legislators to highlight two key initiatives focused on putting money back...

The program underscores Illinois’ commitment to affordability amid federal cuts to healthcare; Hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans served over two years of the program

Gov. Pritzker Announces $1.4 Billion in Medical Debt Erased for Nearly 700,000 Illinoisans 

CHICAGO – Two years after the launch of the Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program, Governor JB Pritzker today announced that more than $1.4 billion in total medical debt has been eliminated for nearly 700,000 Illinoisans across all 102 counties. Illinois has surpassed its original goal of erasing $1 billion in medical debt by more than $400 million – all while spending less than $10 million in state dollars to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans. The Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program’s two-year milestone represents significant relief for Illinoisans and reaffirms Governor Pritzker’s focus on affordability as the federal government continues to cut healthcare and other critical services that Illinoisans rely on.

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