ISACo

On August 4, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) released the Illinois Aviation System Plan. The plan identifies the needs and goals of the state’s airports and is the first comprehensive study of its kind in more than 25 years.

On August 1, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) began accepting applications for ITEP. As part of the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan, $125 million is available. Projects eligible for funding include biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification work and other improvements designed to encourage safe travel across various modes of transportation at the local level.

On Sunday, July 24, Will County Board Member Denise Winfrey was elected President of the National Association of Counties (NACo). President Winfrey is also a member of ISACo’s Board of Directors. She previously served as Vice President and 2nd Vice President of NACo.

The Illinois State Police (ISP), under the direction of Governor Pritzker, submitted an emergency rule change to the Illinois Secretary of State's Office implementing broader use of clear and present danger reports that can bar applicants from receiving a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card or revoke a current FOID card. The rule change allows for the use and maintenance of historic clear and present danger information even if the subject was not actively seeking or holding a FOID card at the time a Clear and Present Danger report was made and allows for use of these reports in possible future evaluations.

On July 15, 2022, Governor JB Pritzker announced that the Illinois Department of Human Services’ (IDHS) Division of Mental Health, in coordination with the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is expanding Illinois' mental health safety net by rolling out 988, a new, nationwide suicide prevention and mental health crisis line. The code will be available nationally beginning July 16, 2022. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which has existed since 2005, is now available nationwide via a three-digit dialing code – 988 – making it easier for those in crisis to get the help they need. Converting to this easy-to-remember number offers the public increased access to potentially lifesaving, trained crisis counselors. State and federal funding have made it possible to increase staffing at Illinois’ six existing 988 call centers to ensure that calls are answered in-state.