Illinois quick hits: Pritzker condemns $2.1 billion CTA freeze; nuclear energy firm plans research facility

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Pritzker condemns $2.1 billion CTA freeze

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has joined Illinois’ congressional Democrats and several state and local officials to condemn what the governor called the Trump administration’s “illegal freeze” of $2.1 billion in federal taxpayer funding for Chicago Transit Authority projects.

One of the projects affected by the federal review is the CTA Red Line Extension, which has an estimated cost of $5.75 billion for 5.5 miles of track.

Nuclear energy firm plans research facility

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced that NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. will establish a manufacturing research and development facility in the Chicago area.

NANO Nuclear plans to invest more than $12 million with support from the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois program.

Facility personnel are expected to collaborate with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on a micro reactor energy system.

Agency warns of text message scam

The Illinois Department of Revenue is warning taxpayers about a new nationwide text message scam.

The phishing scheme involves unsolicited messages that appear to come from state revenue or treasury agencies, claiming that a tax refund has been processed.

Recipients are asked to provide or verify their personal banking information under the threat of losing a state refund.

IDOR says unsolicited messages that claim to come from the agency should be ignored and considered fraudulent.