All your need-to-know policy and advocacy updates for Illinois human services.
On May 29, 2026, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed sweeping changes to overhaul the set of rules, known as the Uniform Guidance, governing federal grants, cooperative agreements, and other monetary awards to nonprofits, state and local...
The FY27 state budget includes $600,000 for the Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program (HSPLRP). While we are grateful the program will continue, only $250,000 represents new funding, with the remainder authorizing the use of previously awarded but unspent...
The Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program remains open. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission will continue to accept and process applications until available funding is exhausted. If you or members of your organization may be eligible for the Human...
We are monitoring upcoming federal student loan changes, including the end of the SAVE repayment plan and new repayment options that may significantly affect many human service professionals. A recent NPR guide on upcoming student loan changes offers a helpful...
Thank you to all who joined our latest training, Reframing Aging: Advocacy Through Storytelling. This training highlighted the basics of advocacy, ways to incorporate reframing aging messaging in our advocacy and storytelling, and shared real-life examples of older...
In observance of Juneteenth, we are lifting up reflections from Glenn Harris, President of Race Forward, on what it means to center Blackness as a framework for understanding racial justice and building collective power. Harris reminds us that centering Blackness...
In May, Illinois Partners was honored to join the Reclaiming Our Love Conference, hosted by The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, to share our Living Wages, Thriving Communities Campaign and engage in a powerful conversation about collective care,...
The Community Partner Fair Contracting Package took a major step forward last week. All three bills were combined into an omnibus package under HB4340 Senate Amendment 5, which passed unanimously out of the Senate Executive Committee on the agreed bills list. A huge...
We are closely following national developments related to voting rights in light of recent Supreme Court rulings that may impact voter access and protections. Here in Illinois, we are monitoring the progress of the Illinois Voting Rights Act of 2026 (SB3170), a...
This week we are making a final push to secure $5M in funding for the Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program. There is still time for legislators to hear from you and understand why this funding is critical for workers, communities, and the future of human...