Illinois quick hits: Economic conditions show stability; EPA recruitment efforts

Economic conditions show stability

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s National Financial Conditions Index was unchanged at –0.53 in the week ending Aug. 29, suggesting steady financial conditions.

The Chicago Fed’s adjusted NFCI, which is additionally influenced by economic activity and inflation, was also unchanged.

Gibson continues on Pollution Control Board

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has appointed Michelle Gibson to continue serving on the Illinois Pollution Control Board, pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

First appointed in November 2021, Gibson is a registered environmental health specialist.

A statement from the governor’s office said Gibson led enforcement efforts to strictly adhere to guidelines set forth by the Pritzker administration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

EPA recruitment efforts

Individuals interested in working for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency can meet with human resources personnel at a number of upcoming events.

The state EPA is scheduled to be at a job fair held by state Sen. Erica Harriss, R-Glen Carbon, and state Rep. Amy Elik, R-Alton, in Alton on Friday.

Events are scheduled in Urbana and Champaign next week, followed by Carbondale and Chicago the following week.

A full schedule can be found at the EPA’s website.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 8th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 8th, 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop covers the latest...
Legislator urges leaders to focus on relief for Illinois’ high property taxes

Legislator urges leaders to focus on relief for Illinois’ high property taxes

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With Illinois now being home to the highest property tax rates in the country, state Rep....
Charles-Harlan-1754588106

Charles Dewain Harlan, 73

Charles Dewain Harlan, 73, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, formerly of Greenup, Illinois, passed away at 5:25 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at Greentree Assisted Living in Mt. Vernon. He...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Briefs: Casey City Council for August 4, 2025

The Casey City Council met Monday to approve its annual spending plan, address blighted properties, and discuss impending utility rate increases driven by inflation and a shrinking customer base. The...
Texas House, Illinois state senator sue 33 AWOL Democrats in Illinois court

Texas House, Illinois state senator sue 33 AWOL Democrats in Illinois court

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Texas House of Representatives has sued 33 House Democrats who absconded to Illinois to prevent...
WATCH: Democrat state redistricting efforts created unfair advantages, lawmaker says

WATCH: Democrat state redistricting efforts created unfair advantages, lawmaker says

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While Democratic lawmakers from California to New York have threatened to redistrict in response to Texas'...
Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment

Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Fatal helicopter crash Two people are dead after a helicopter crashed into a barge on the Mississippi River. The Federal Aviation...
New poll: 50.2% of Illinois voters view Pritzker unfavorably

New poll: 50.2% of Illinois voters view Pritzker unfavorably

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new poll shows that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s approval rating has flipped negative for the first time....
WATCH: Pritzker welcomes FBI looking for TX Dems in IL, dismisses bribery question

WATCH: Pritzker welcomes FBI looking for TX Dems in IL, dismisses bribery question

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the FBI gets involved in locating Texas Democrats hiding out in states like Illinois, Gov. J.B....
WATCH: Illinois State Fair: Affordable fun backed by $140M in taxpayer funding

WATCH: Illinois State Fair: Affordable fun backed by $140M in taxpayer funding

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The 2025 Illinois State Fair is being praised for its affordability and accessibility to families across...
Op-Ed: State lawmakers gut Emmett Till Day bill, expose Illinois’ corruption problem

Op-Ed: State lawmakers gut Emmett Till Day bill, expose Illinois’ corruption problem

By LyLena D. Estabine | Illinois Policy InstituteThe Center Square July 25, 2025, would have marked Illinois’ first Emmett Till Day, a commemoration of the 14-year-old Chicagoan whose 1955 lynching...
Democratic PACs being investigated for bankrolling AWOL Texas House Democrats

Democratic PACs being investigated for bankrolling AWOL Texas House Democrats

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Democratic political action committees are being investigated by state, and potentially federal, authorities over claims they...
Pritzker: Chicago mayor 'never once called' to oppose pension bill

Pritzker: Chicago mayor ‘never once called’ to oppose pension bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson never called him to oppose a pension bill...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 7th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 7th, 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop continues his coverage...
Illinois quick hits: Cook County declares flood disaster; opt-out forms promoted; State Fair begins

Illinois quick hits: Cook County declares flood disaster; opt-out forms promoted; State Fair begins

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Cook County, Chicago declare flood disaster Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle have issued respective disaster...