(The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Corrections says it expects to save about $35.9 million in capital costs, $6.5 million in annual operating expenses and millions of additional savings in deferred maintenance projects by phasing out two work camps and two impact program facilities.
IDOC said the closure of Clayton Work Camp will impact 27 people in custody and 41 staff members, who will be reassigned to Western Illinois Correctional Center at a later date.
Dixon Springs and DuQuoin Impact Programs and Greene County Work Camp were temporarily closed in March 2023. IDOC said the closure of the non-operational programs and camps would not result in any layoffs.
MOODY’S UPGRADES ILLINOIS’ CREDIT RATING
Moody’s Ratings has upgraded the issuer rating for the state of Illinois from A2 to A1.
The ratings service also upgraded the state’s general obligation bonds and Build Illinois sales tax bonds to A1.
Moody’s cited a stronger governance framework and an established track record of conservative fiscal management for the upgrade.
A statement from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office said Illinois has received 11 upgrades across the three major credit rating agencies since June 2021.
MICROMOBILITY DEVICE BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation that establishes regulatory requirements for e-bikes, gas-powered bikes and other micromobility devices.
Senate Bill 3484 requires riders of e-bikes and e-motos capable of traveling over 28 mph to have a driver’s license, title, registration and insurance. The bill also establishes minimum age requirements for e-bikes.
The new law takes effect Jan. 1.
HUMAN CASE OF WEST NILE DETECTED IN PIATT COUNTY
The Illinois Department of Public Health says the first confirmed human case of West Nile virus in Illinois this year involves a resident of Piatt County.
IDPH has also identified three probable human cases of West Nile in northern Illinois.
So far in 2026, WNV has been observed in 50 Illinois counties with either a mosquito pool, horse and/or human testing positive for the virus. The full list of counties where WNV has been detected in mosquito batches can be found online.
Illinois confirmed a total of 150 human WNV cases in 2025, with ten deaths linked to the virus.
IDPH supports mosquito control efforts throughout the state by providing $2.8 million in funding to Illinois’ 97 local health departments for vector surveillance and control activities.
