ISACo

The USDA is seeking comments by August 10, 2026, on proposed updates to regulations implementing the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act, known as AFIDA. The proposal builds on USDA’s online reporting portal for foreign-owned agricultural land transactions and may be of interest to rural counties, recorders, assessors, land-use officials and agricultural stakeholders concerned with farmland ownership transparency. Click on the title for more information.

HUD’s FY 2026 Continuum of Care Program Notice of Funding Opportunity remains open, with applications due by August 26, 2026. NACo reports that the NOFO changes the funding structure by reducing the share of protected renewal funding and placing more funds into a competitive process. Counties and regional homelessness partners may wish to review the notice and assess potential impacts on housing, behavioral health, veterans services and homelessness response programs. Click the title for more information.

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs unveiled a new community investment program designed to build affordable housing, help nonprofits, and generate returns for the state. Frerichs invested $10 million with IFF, a Chicago-based Community Development Financial Institution that promotes economic development by providing financing and real estate consulting across the Midwest to nonprofits and people underserved by traditional financial institutions, particularly in low-income communities.

Congress has passed a bipartisan federal housing reform package that includes several county priorities, according to the National Association of Counties. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes provisions intended to improve access to disaster recovery funding, protect community development resources and provide additional flexibility for locally administered housing programs. ISACo will monitor implementation of the legislation and share additional information relevant to Illinois counties.

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is offering Peoples Gas customers an in-person opportunity to provide comments on the utility’s proposed general rate increase. The public and media are invited to attend the public comment forum on Wednesday, July 15th in Chicago.