Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker signs bill creating new state agency

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation elevating the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission to the cabinet-level Illinois Department of Disability Advocacy and Guardianship.

Among other things, House Bill 862 creates a new advisory council within the department, joining the current Division of Legal Advocacy and Division of Disability Rights and Protections.

The new department is slated to begin operations on July 1, 2027.

COOK COUNTY PROJECTS $550.7 MILLION BUDGET GAP

Cook County officials are projecting a $550.7 million budget gap for fiscal year 2027.

According to a statement released by county board president Toni Preckwinkle on Wednesday night, a court-ordered restriction on the use of transportation tax revenue helped drive a projected $336 million general funds budget gap.

The county’s health enterprise fund is forecast to have a $214.7 million deficit due an increase in charity care services and an expected decrease in CountyCare membership caused by federal cuts and Medicare eligibility restrictions.

CHILEAN NATIONAL SENTENCED FOR IDENTITY THEFT, ILLEGAL REENTRY

A Chilean national who was in the United States illegally has been sentenced to three years plus nine months in prison for an identity theft scheme that spanned seven states.

Prosecutors say Mayorie Fernandez Ormeno, 37, stole credit cards from victims in Edwardsville and Glen Carbon after she unlawfully re-entered the U.S. in 2023.

In addition to her 45-month sentence, Fernandez Ormeno was ordered to pay more than $47,000 in restitution to 18 victims.