Increasing the size of the certified group is a primary charge of the commission, which was formed by state lawmakers in 2022 and given annual budgets of about $7 million. Each of the seven, governor-appointed commissioners who oversee the efforts are paid about $150,000 annually, and they are allowed to work other paid jobs. They also have a staff of more than 30 people.

In 2019, Illinois passed the Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act, which created rules beyond what federal regulators mandate to guarantee oversight at inactive coal plants and ensure proper and timely closure of coal ash ponds. So far, 23 companies have submitted applications, but only two draft permits have been issued by the IEPA.

“I just don’t know, for our community, of any other way that could have generated that type of new revenue,” said David Helper, a former member of the Logan County Board. “I shudder to think of the cuts and services that would have to have been made if we didn’t develop those projects.”

“I’m emailing you today about New Hampshire’s Senate race because this is serious: Senate Republicans’ hand-picked candidate, John Sununu, jumped in to defeat Chris Pappas and flip this open Senate seat red,” Pritzker wrote in a fundraising email.

“The billionaire and potential 2028 presidential candidate is backing his lieutenant governor to succeed Sen. Dick Durbin, who is set to retire, and she is struggling to outshine two main rivals. The winner of the primary in the deeply blue state is likely to be its next senator.”

Incoming superintendent Dr. Larry Huff is set to earn $285,000 his first year – more than Gov. JB Pritzker, who forgoes his $237,900 salary. According to the Teachers’ Retirement System, Illinois law requires employers, like RPS, to pay a fee into a pension fund if employees make more than the governor’s statutory salary. The difference between Huff and Pritzker’s salaries could cost RPS more than $5,000 annually.