The Illinois Department of Employment Security continues to monitor new phishing schemes targeting individuals. Bad actors posing as IDES representatives are trying to trick individuals into disclosing their personal information through text, email, and social media messages.

It is critical for claimants and the public to remain vigilant to detect fraudulent correspondence:

• Follow steps from the FTC to recognize and avoid phishing scams. The examples below include tell-tale signs of a phishing scam, such as referring to the “Division of Employment Security” as opposed to the “Department of Employment Security” and directing to untrustworthy websites.
• Strengthen and protect account information. Individuals collected unemployment insurance should maintain a strong password that is unique to their IDES login, and never share their personal information with an untrustworthy source. For example, information regarding an individual’s IDES account should never be shared on social media. Additional tips are available on IDES’s fraud webpage.

Phishing sample #1: Text Message

Phishing sample #2: Email

Phishing sample #3 – Facebook

Additional Resources:

IDES: Fraud and Identity Theft Resources
Federal Trade Commission: How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams
US Department of Justice: Press Release on Unemployment Schemes
USDOL Office of the Inspector General: Unemployment Insurance Phishing Fraud Alert

Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez are pleased to announce an innovative funding opportunity specifically addressing Illinois fire departments impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total amount of $1 million will be available to assist approximately 80 impacted fire departments that operate in diverse communities throughout the state. Under this one time grant opportunity, eligible Illinois fire departments could receive up to $15,000 in order to make up for lost donation revenues stemming from their inability to host local fundraising events during the periods of quarantines occurring in 2020. These fundraising events include pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners, and pay for necessities like fuel for fire trucks, utilities, and insurance.

In order to be eligible for the assistance grant the applying fire department must:

1. Be an Illinois combination or volunteer fire department;
2. Operate within a jurisdiction with a population at or less than 7,500 people;
3. Have an approved annual budget at or less than $150,000;
4. Have an OSFM Fire Department Identification Number; and
5. Be current with their National Fire Incident Reporting System reports at the time of application

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is pleased to collaborate with the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association who will empanel a special committee to review the grant applications utilizing a blind review needs based analysis. The OSFM will facilitate and directly oversee the distribution of the grant awards to the lucky recipients. This grant is financed through the Illinois Fire Prevention Fund, a non-general revenue fund that is supported primarily by a 1% assessment of the gross fire risk premium receipts of all insurance companies operating in the state.
All grant applications must be received by August 13, 2021.

The application review process will begin on August 23, 2021 and end on September 3, 2021. Grant recipients are expected to receive awards by October, 2021.

The Illinois Fire Department COVID-19 Assistance Grant application can be found here.

Offering competitive pay and benefits, including affordable, employer-sponsored health care, dental, and vision. Employer-furnished equipment, take-home patrol vehicle, flexible scheduling, and much more.

The job posting and application may be found at: https://illinois.jobs2web.com/job/Springfield-CONSERVATION-POLICE-OFFICER-TRAINEE-0934500-IL-62702/737132600/Image

Applications must be signed and post marked/digitally submitted by May 31, 2021.  If submitting application via email, please scan and submit all pages as one document.

Criteria:  Must be at least 21 years of age upon date of hire, 4-year Bachelor’s Degree (any major), OR Associate’s Degree AND three years of Law Enforcement experience (single agency), OR Military service (Active, Reserve, or National Guard), currently serving or honorably discharged, with one or more of the following medals:  Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal

Hiring Process: Application Submission (CMS 100), Physical Fitness and Swimming, Proficiency Tests, In-person Interview, Psychological Examination, Medical Examination, Background Investigation 

Applicants who are currently employed as a full-time police officer with full law enforcement authority in the State of Illinois may be eligible to participate in a “fast-track” training process that would waive the 14-week Basic Law Enforcement Academy.  An additional paid, 14-week Conservation Academy must be completed as a condition of employment.   During these training academies, selected applicants will be provided meals and lodging on-site, Monday-Friday.

For further information please visit: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/LawEnforcement/Pages/ConservationPoliceOfficerCareerOpportunities.aspx or call or email your respective OLE recruiting officer listed on page 2.

CPO Tom Davis (McHenry Co)- Northeast Zone Recruiting Officer

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Phone Number: (847) 404-3596

CPO Isaac Gerard (Woodford Co.)- Northwest Zone Recruiting Officer

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Phone Number: (309) 214-0203

CPO Chase Sanford (Vermilion Co.)- Central Zone Recruiting Officer

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Phone Number: (217) 361-9982

CPO Roberto Macias (Clinton Co.)- Southern Zone Recruiting Officer

Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Phone Number: (618) 713-2705

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for grants through the Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund (STEF) and Local Government Snowmobile (SNOW) grant programs now through June 1, 2021.

The Illinois STEF and SNOW grant programs are offered annually through the IDNR.

The primary purpose of the Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund Grant Program is to provide financial aid to eligible private, not-for-profit snowmobile clubs for the purpose of assisting such organizations to construct, maintain and rehabilitate snowmobile trails and facilities on public lands, designated roadways, or private land opened to such use in the state. The STEF grant program provides financial assistance to eligible local snowmobile clubs and organizations to help them construct, maintain, and rehabilitate snowmobile trails and facilities on public lands and designated road right-of-ways or on private lands open to public snowmobile use. The following types of projects are among those eligible for STEF funding: trail clearing, signs and fencing, lease of equipment necessary for facility construction, and warming shelters/restrooms.

The primary purpose of the Illinois Snowmobile Grant Program is to provide financial aid to government agencies to develop, operate, maintain, and acquire land and/or equipment for snowmobile trails, trail maintenance, and trail side facilities that are open and accessible to the public in Illinois for snowmobile use.

The STEF program is a state-financed program enacted by Sections 9-1 and 9-2 of the Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act [625 ILCS 40/9-1 and 9-2]. Funds for the program are derived from snowmobile registration fees and for that reason require the use and oversight of a public entity’s procurement guidelines to ensure the proper stewardship of the funds.

The SNOW program is a state-financed program. Funding for the grant program is derived from revenue generated by snowmobile registration fees, fines, and bond forfeitures pursuant to the Illinois Vehicle Code [625 ILCS 40/9.1].

Applications must be submitted to the IDNR by 5:00 p.m. on June 1, 2021. The Notice of Funding Opportunity can be found at: https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/GATA/Pages/default.aspx

Consult the IDNR website at https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Grants/Pages/SnowmobileTrailEstablishmentFund.aspx for more information, or call the IDNR Grants main line at 217-782-7481.