Funding Opportunity to Expand NSPS Level 2 Facility Network
The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) has launched a funding opportunity to expand the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS) Level 2 facility network. This effort supports a more resilient, coordinated, and nationally integrated approach to high-consequence infectious disease (HCID) response. 

Participating in the STAND Award program may enable your facility to strengthen institutional and regional preparedness and readiness; gain national visibility as a special pathogen leader; access NETEC training, consultation, and technical support; and become part of a Community of Practice with other national leaders in HCID response. 

Currently a one-time funding opportunity, up to 21 healthcare facilities will be awarded $500,000 per facility. The application deadline is Aug. 3 at 4 p.m. CT, and the anticipated performance period is Sept. 1, 2026-June 29, 2027. Click here for more information on the funding opportunity, including eligibility requirements, application information and resources, program background and additional FAQs.

Staff contact: Keneatha Johnson

Registration is Open for the Illinois Summit on Antimicrobial Stewardship
Registration is open for the Illinois Summit on Antimicrobial Stewardship, where leading experts, clinicians, and researchers come together to advance the science and practice of antimicrobial stewardship. Whether you are a physician, pharmacist, nurse, infection preventionist, or public health professional, this Summit offers actionable strategies and real-world insights you can bring back to your institution.

The Summit will cover:

• The evolving regulatory and national landscape.

• Evidence-based guidelines for building and evaluating stewardship programs.

• Lessons learned from successful initiatives across the field.

• Practical tools and resources you can implement at your facility. 

The 2026 Summit will be held on July 16 at the Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT. Click here to view the registration announcement for additional details, or you can click here to register.

State Policy Update
While the Illinois General Assembly has wrapped up its spring work, several major policy issues remain active heading into the summer and fall veto session, including data center incentives, energy affordability, Chicago Bears stadium discussions, and other implementation issues tied to the new fiscal year.

Following lawmakers’ failure to pass data center reforms prior to their May 31 adjournment, Gov. JB Pritzker announced his administration will pause the processing of new data center tax incentive agreements beginning July 1, 2026. The incentive program, created in 2019, was created to attract significant data center investment to Illinois, while establishing related labor standards. The administration’s pause follows the failure of House Bill 5513, the POWER Act, to advance before the spring session deadline. Conversations on the issue are expected to resume when lawmakers reconvene for the fall veto session Nov. 17-19 and Dec. 1-3. Discussions are expected to focus on balancing economic development, labor standards, energy costs, and environmental guardrails.

The General Assembly adjourned without considering a last-minute proposal aimed at keeping the Chicago Bears in Illinois. However, the Chicago Tribune reported yesterday evening that the Governor told reporters that his office remains engaged in conversations with the team and said he was open to calling a special session of the General Assembly for a vote if an agreement is reached. The Tribune noted that last week House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said there needs to be an agreement among the legislature, the governor’s office and the Bears before lawmakers are called back to Springfield for a vote.