WASHINGTON, April 26 (TNSLrpt) -- The State of AMERICA'S LIBRARIES - A report from American Library Association, Chicago, Illinois - April 2026 (20 pages) * * * The American Library Association issued a report examining the current state of libraries across the U.S., focusing on trends in censorship, access to information, and the evolving role of libraries in communities. The report analyzes data from 2025, including challenges to materials, usage patterns, and service delivery, while assessing broader pressures such as funding constraints a more ST

WASHINGTON, April 26 (TNSLrpt) -- State of the Air: 2026 Report - A report from American Lung Association, Chicago, Illinois - April 2026 (163 pages) * * * The American Lung Association issued a report analyzing air quality across the United States, highlighting a reversal of progress in reducing pollution and a growing number of people exposed to unhealthy air. The report evaluates levels of ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter using nationwide monitoring data, while assessing health risks and disparities among populations. It aims more ST

WASHINGTON, April 27 -- The Carbondale Area Interfaith Refugee Support, Illinois, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security opposing a proposed rule on employment authorization for asylum applicants, arguing the changes would harm vulnerable families and strain community resources. CAIRS, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting refugees resettling in the greater Carbondale, Illinois area, argues that the proposed rule will impose severe hardship on families fleeing persecution by forcing them to wait at leas more ST

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation, through the Federal Railroad Administration, has announced a grant opportunity titled FY25 Center of Excellence-University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Supplemental). With an award ceiling of $2.5 million, this funding is designated exclusively for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, which is eligible to apply. This supplemental funding will support the existing grant agreement number 69A36524520020RRDIL, aimed at enhancing research and development initiatives that focus  more ST

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The House Education and Workforce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-586) on the Child Care Payment Integrity and Fraud Accountability Act (H.R. 7720). The report was advanced by Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, on April 6, 2026. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose The purpose of H.R. 7720, the Child Care Payment Integrity and Fraud Accountability Act of 2026, is to ensure states are responsible for reporting fraudulent payments made under their administration of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) progra more ST

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The House Education and Workforce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-587) on the Combating Regulatory Abuse, Closing Known Deficiencies and Overseeing Waste Nationwide Act (H.R. 7721). The report was advanced by Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, on April 6, 2026. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose The purpose of H.R. 7721, the CRACKDOWN Act, is to codify an improper payment threshold for states administering the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program. Under current regulations, states are held to a 10 pe more ST

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The House Veterans' Affairs Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-577) on the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act (H.R. 6047). The report was advanced by Rep. Mike Bost, R-Illinois, on April 2, 2026. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose and Summary H.R. 6047, the "Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026," was introduced by Representative Tom Barrett of Michigan on November 17, 2025. The bill would increase the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) monthly paymen more ST

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 25 (TNSLrpt) -- The Illinois Auditor General issued the following report involving Chicago State University -- Compliance Examination. Here are excerpts: * * * REPORT DIGEST CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY COMPLIANCE EXAMINATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025 Release Date: April 23, 2026 FINDINGS THIS AUDIT:15 CATEGORY: NEW -- REPEAT - TOTAL Category 1: 1 -- 5 -- 6 Category 2: 5 -- 4 -- 9 Category 3: 0 -- 0 -- 0 TOTAL: 6 -- 9 - 15 FINDINGS LAST AUDIT: 14 State of Illinois, Office of the Auditor Gener more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 25 (TNSLrpt) -- The Illinois Auditor General issued the following report involving Illinois Department of Revenue -- Compliance Examination. Here are excerpts: * * * REPORT DIGEST DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE COMPLIANCE EXAMINATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024 Release Date: April 23, 2026 FINDINGS THIS AUDIT: 9 CATEGORY: NEW -- REPEAT - TOTAL Category 1: 1 -- 2 -- 3 Category 2: 0 -- 6 -- 6 Category 3: 0 -- 0 -- 0 TOTAL: 1 -- 8 - 9 FINDINGS LAST AUDIT: 18 State of Illinois, Office of the Auditor Gen more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 25 (TNSLrpt) -- The Illinois Auditor General issued the following report involving University of Illinois -- Compliance Examination. Here are excerpts: * * * REPORT DIGEST UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COMPLIANCE EXAMINATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025 Release Date: April 23, 2026 FINDINGS THIS AUDIT:1 0 CATEGORY: NEW -- REPEAT - TOTAL Category 1: 0 -- 1 -- 1 Category 2: 3 -- 6 -- 9 Category 3: 0 -- 0 -- 0 TOTAL: 3 -- 7 - 10 FINDINGS LAST AUDIT: 10 State of Illinois, Office of the Auditor General FR more PR

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The Illinois Head Start Association, Springfield, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. General Services Administration expressing apprehension about the agency's proposed modifications to the System for Award Management registration requirements for recipients of federal financial assistance. The association, which supports Head Start programs serving nearly 28,000 children and families across Illinois, cautions that the proposed certification changes may hinder their mission and conflict with existing feder more ST

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- Illinois Action for Children, Chicago, has submitted a public comment letter to the General Services Administration expressing objections to the agency's proposed changes to the System for Award Management registration requirements for recipients of federal financial assistance. The nonprofit organization, dedicated to providing Head Start early childhood education and support services to children and families in the south suburbs of Cook County, Illinois, argues that the new requirements may undermine the mission of Hea more ST

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Springfield, submitted a public comment letter to the General Services Administration expressing opposition to proposed revisions to the System for Award Management pre-award registration requirements for financial assistance recipients. The submission was made in response to a docket published by the GSA, which outlined modifications to the SAM registration rules intended for organizations receiving federal funding. ICASA, a network of 31 Illinois-based nonprofit rape cris more ST

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights has submitted a public comment letter opposing the Department of Housing and Urban Development's proposed rule regarding the Verification of Eligible Status under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980. ICIRR criticizes the rule for targeting mixed-status households, including lawfully present immigrants and U.S. citizens, describing the rule as unjust and harmful to communities in Illinois. The letter highlights that the proposed revision to HUD's Sectio more ST

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The Illinois Department of Early Childhood has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. General Services Administration expressing concerns about proposed amendments to the System for Award Management registration requirements for recipients of federal financial assistance. The letter criticizes the legality and potential negative impacts of the GSA's planned changes to certification provisions required for applicants and recipients of federal funds, including those involved in early childhood education and care. I more ST

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The Illinois State Board of Education has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. General Services Administration expressing concerns about proposed amendments to the System for Award Management certification requirements for recipients of federal financial assistance. The letter highlights that these proposed changes, which affect applicants and recipients across sectors including education and research, raise significant legal and practical issues. ISBE, which oversees elementary and secondary education in Illin more ST

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- JBT Marel, Chicago, Illinois, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture expressing support for the Food Safety and Inspection Service's proposal to update maximum line speed rates for young chicken and turkey establishments operating under the New Poultry Inspection System. In the letter, JBT Marel emphasized its role as a knowledge partner to the poultry industry, offering integrated equipment and expertise that enable customers to optimize food yield, improve safety and quality, and reduc more ST

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, April 24 -- The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council posted the following commentary on April 23, 2026, by CEO and President Kendalle Burlin O'Connell: * * * CEO Innovation Policy Update 04.23.26 MassBio CEO & President Kendalle Burlin O'Connell originally posted this update to LinkedIn. * It's been a busy week on the Hill. The Senate wrapped an overnight vote-a-rama, HHS Secretary Kennedy completed a marathon stretch of congressional hearings, and lawmakers continued pressing hard on China's threat to American bio more PR

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- Sinai Chicago, Illinois, submitted a public comment letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration opposing the agency's proposed 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. Sinai Chicago highlighted the detrimental financial and operational impacts such a rebate model could impose on safety-net providers and urged HRSA not to proceed with the pilot. The 340B drug discount program currently enables Sinai Chicago's two disproportionate share hospitals, Mount Sinai Hospital Medical Center and Holy Cross Hospital, to main more ST

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The YMCA of the USA, Chicago, Illinois, submitted a public comment letter to the Federal Trade Commission regarding the agency's advance notice of proposed rulemaking on potential amendments to the Negative Option Rule. In its letter, the YMCA highlighted concerns about the previously vacated rule and advised the FTC to adopt a narrowly tailored framework that addresses specific industries, harms, and negative option offers without hindering beneficial consumer practices or nonprofit organizations' operations. The YMCA, more ST