PRESS RELEASE
Regional Site Readiness Program NOFO – application deadline October 21

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $42 million in funding for the Regional Site Readiness Program. The goal of this program is to ensure sites are better prepared to attract future investment and new job opportunities in the industrial sector across all 10 of Illinois’ Economic Development Regions. Grantees will be selected through two competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) processes – 1) Planning and 2) Capital Ready. 

The Regional Site Readiness Program aims to better prepare sites for industrial development in all 10 of DCEO’s Economic Development Regions. The program will create a more comprehensive state-wide strategy that builds upon DCEO’s Megasites Investment Program and complements Intersect Illinois’ Vetted Sites Program.  

Grantees will be selected through two competitive NOFOs: 1) Planning and 2) Capital Ready. DCEO will invest in Planning activities such as environmental due diligence and preliminary engineering costs, as well as Capital Ready activities including capital improvements to road or utility infrastructure to increase the number of sites ready for industrial development. Applications are due on Monday, October 21, 2024.

For more information, please visit the NOFO websites (Planning or Capital Ready) and send questions to CEO.Sites@Illinois.gov.

VIEW PUBLICATION HERE

PRESS RELEASE
OSHA's Proposed Heat Standard Could Alter the Way Your Business Operates

OSHA’s proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings standard was recently published in the Federal Register. The proposed standard affects employers across nearly every industry and will likely directly or indirectly impact your business. In 2022, OSHA issued a National Heat Emphasis Program (NEP), which resulted in increased inspections and penalty collections.

Currently, OSHA does not have a heat standard. Instead, the agency uses the General Duty Clause (Section 5-A-1) to protect employees from heat injuries and illnesses. The General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a place of employment that is “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.”

The proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings is referred to as a “Programmatic” standard, meaning employers must develop a plan to evaluate and control heat hazards in their workplace. Heat conditions would trigger tiered mitigation measures. The US Department of Labor published an approximately 30-minute video on YouTube outlining the proposed standard, titled Proposed Rule for the Prevention of Heat Illnesses and Injuries. Federal OSHA encourages employers to watch the video and then comment on how the standard would impact their business. After the comment period closes, OSHA will review the comments and, based on your feedback, may revise the proposed rule.

How and Why Businesses Should Comment on the Proposed Heat Standard
Employers can visit the OSHA website at https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/OSHA-2021-0009-4761. This proposed standard could significantly impact how businesses manage and mitigate heat-related risks, making it essential for employers to understand the proposed heat standard.

By providing feedback, employers can contribute to developing a standard that reflects the real-world challenges and considerations they face in managing heat-related hazards in the workplace. This input is crucial for OSHA to create a balanced and well-informed rule that promotes worker safety and health while considering the impact on businesses.

Leveraging the Illinois On-Site

The Illinois Department of Labor’s On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program can be an invaluable resource for businesses looking to mitigate not just heat but also a panoply of hazards in their workplace. This program, administered by the Illinois Department of Labor, offers free and confidential assistance to small and medium-sized businesses, creating a safer and healthier work environment and potentially lowering your workers' compensation insurance. Employers can proactively address heat-related risks by leveraging the resources and expertise offered by this program. Visit Worksafe.illinois.gov or contact Harry (Hap) Hileman with the Illinois Department of Labor at 217-992-2111 for more information about this free and confidential program brought to you by the State of Illinois.

Allison’s Friends of Hope Foundation Donates Proceeds of Recent Golf Tournament to The Anderson Hospital Warren Billhartz Cancer Center


Pictured Left to Right: Wendy McIntire, Lori St. John, Lisa Spencer, Linda Cassens, Scott Wetzel, Cathy Kelly, and Adam Celuch.

Earlier today, Anderson Hospital Foundation accepted a generous contribution from Allison’s Friends of Hope! Their 2024 Golf Tournament was “a huge success”, raising funds and resulting in a $12,500.00 donation towards Anderson Friends of Hope Breast Diagnostic Center. This center was named after Allison Cassens, who unfortunately lost her life due to colon cancer. We are beyond grateful for the support of Allison’s Friends of Hope and their remarkable efforts in cancer research. Their unwavering commitment to this cause has managed to raise more than $1 million since 2004, and we could not be more thankful for their dedication. Allison’s Friends of Hope truly embodies the spirit of generosity and kindness, and we are honored to have them as part of our community.

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