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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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.

Child Tax Credit Relief Doubles for Families from 2024 to 2025 After Governor Increased Benefits  

Governor Pritzker Provides $600 Million in Tax Cuts to 950,000 Illinois Working Families 

CHICAGO – Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) today announced the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) cut taxes for approximately 950,000 families, saving hardworking Illinoisians more than $600 million on their taxes last year. According to preliminary data, in 2025, Illinois families who benefited from both credits were able to keep an average of $1,460 in their pockets.

CHICAGO – This week, Governor JB Pritzker spearheaded efforts to support farmers and bolster local economies across Illinois.

ICYMI: Gov. Pritzker Delivers Major Wins for Illinois Farmers 

$17 million investment will expand biomanufacturing research capabilities, strengthen workforce training, and support agricultural and economic development in Southwestern Illinois 

Gov. Pritzker Announces Expansion of the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

EDWARDSVILLE – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $17 million in funding to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) to expand the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC), which includes $15 million from the State of Illinois and $2 million from the Illinois Corn Growers Association.

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