This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes a link to ISACo's 2023 State Mandates Report, offers a reminder about the upcoming Veto Session, shares information about a scheduled House Personnel and Pensions Committee hearing, includes a link to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund's (IMRF) new Employer Access Website, conveys an announcement by Governor Pritzker concerning awards for Illinois land trusts to support stewardship on land protected by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC), provides information about grant funding to support Public Library Services and Literacy Efforts, makes county officials aware of new appointments by Governor Pritzker to various boards and commissions, includes an invitation for counties to submit legislative proposal ideas to ISACo as well as suggested amendments to ISACo's County Platform, announces upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Comcast and invites counties to join ISACo. 

ISACo Publishes 2023 State Mandates Report

Each year, ISACo publishes a report identifying newly-enacted laws that impose state mandates on counties. Our 2023 State Mandates Report: New Mandates on Counties Enacted in 2023 is available by clicking on the image below.

Our previously published annual State Mandates Reports are available via this link.

A Look Ahead at The Veto Session

The 2023 fall Veto Session will be held on October 24-26 and November 7-9. Governor Pritzker issued several vetoes and amendatory vetoes on legislation of interest to counties, and the General Assembly is expected to act on those bills. The bills along with the veto messages are linked to below:

Total Vetoes

SB 1515 - Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act (Veto Message)

SB 76 - Nuclear Power Plant Construction Moratorium (Veto Message)

Amendatory Vetoes

HB 2507 - Omnibus Property Tax Legislation (Amendatory Veto Message)

HB 2878 - Public-Private Partnership Projects (Amendatory Veto Message)

HB 3445 - Omnibus Energy Legislation (Amendatory Veto Message)

The General Assembly will likely consider additional legislation as well. ISACo will provide an update as we get closer to the Veto Session in October. 

House Personnel and Pensions Committee Schedules Hearing

The House Personnel and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing on September 6 at 10:00am in the Bilandic Building in Chicago to discuss Tier 2 benefit levels, other topics from prior subject matter hearings, issues concerning Articles 7 (IMRF) and 9 (County Employees' and Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund - Cook County), both HB 4098 and HB 4099 and the social security windfall.

IMRF Introduces New Employer Access Secure Website

The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) is targeting October to launch its newly enhanced Employer Access secure website. This new version is designed to simplify and streamline day-to-day business interactions with IMRF. Additional information is available via this link. 

Governor Pritzker Announces Increased Access to Mental Health Services for Rural Farmers and Agricultural Communities

On August 29, Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) at the 2023 Farm Progress Show to announce funding for a grant program aimed at breaking down the stigma of accessing mental health services in agricultural communities. The announcement was made in partnership with the Illinois FFA Foundation and the Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine. Additional information is available via this link.

Eleven Organizations Receive Natural Areas Stewardship Grants from IDNR

Eleven grants totaling nearly $750,000 have been awarded to Illinois land trusts to support stewardship on land protected by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC), the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced. Additional information is available via this link.

Giannoulias Awards $27 Million to Support Public Library Services and Literacy Efforts

In support of libraries, education and lifelong learning, Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias announced the award of over $21.4 million in grants for library services and over $5.7 million in adult literacy grants for local literacy programs to more than 140 Illinois recipients. Additional information is available via this link.

Governor Pritzker Announces Six Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Governor JB Pritkzer announced several appointments last week.

William Delgado will serve as a Member on the Prisoner Review Board. James Randal Wexler will continue to serve as a Member on the Illinois Finance Authority. Susan Abrams will serve as a Member on the Illinois Finance Authority. Steven Landek will serve as a Member on the Illinois Finance Authority. Diana Leza Sheehan will continue to serve as a Member on the Lottery Control Board. Anthony Garcia will continue to serve as a Member on the Illinois Gaming Board. Additional information is available via this link.

ISACo Accepting Legislative Proposals for 2024 - INPUT REQUESTED!

Does your county have a problem in need of a legislative solution? If so, please e-mail it to ISACo at info@isacoil.org. Submitted proposals will be considered by the Legislative Committee. Proposals ultimately approved by the ISACo Board of Directors will be included within our 2024 Illinois County Action Program (ICAP).

Additionally, ISACo will be considering amendments to our County Platform for 2024. Please review the 2023 County Platform and send any suggestions for additions/changes to info@isacoil.org. Proposed changes will be considered by the Legislative Committee and Board of Directors.

Upcoming NACo Webinars

NACo has announced the following upcoming webinar opportunities. ISACo is a proud partner with NACo and encourages counties to participate in NACo membership and activities.

The Modern Edge for County Government 

(Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)

Modernization with Juniper AIOps (artificial intelligence for IT operations) is the industry’s best alternative to a network refresh if user experience, automation, and fiscal efficiency are important to county IT departments. Attend this session to discover how Juniper AIOps addresses these challenges and more.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

TechKnow Series: NACo Tech Xchange Overview – Resources and Tools for your CIO Strategy

(Thursday, September 7, 2023, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)

This is a first in a series of meet-ups this fall that will a) focus on the resources available on the NACo Tech Xchange Portal (guides, policy templates, job description samples, best practices) and b) introduce the fall series on “Charting Your AI path”. Hear relevant information from members of the NACo Technology Advisory Council, as well as NACo staff.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders: The Junior Commissioner Program and Civic Engagement for Youth

(Thursday, September 7, 2023, 2:00pm-3:00pm CST)

Are you interested in engaging the next generation in civic participation and community leadership? The Junior Commissioner program offered by Knox County, Tennessee provides an excellent opportunity for young people to learn about local government and engage in civic and public service within their community. In this webinar, we will discuss the importance of civic engagement for the next generation by exploring how the Junior Commissioner program is helping young people develop leadership skills, gain a better understanding of how local government works, and contribute to their communities. Join us as we hear from Knox County Commissioner Larsen Jay about the impact of the program on participants and their communities. We will also discuss best practices for developing and implementing similar programs in your community and tips on engaging young people.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

Update on the Amended Waters of the U.S. Rule

(Monday, September 11, 2023, 2:00pm-3:00pm CST)

On August 29, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) issued a final rule amending the 2023 definition “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) to conform with the U.S. Supreme Court’s (SCOTUS) decision in Sackett v. EPA. The amendments made by the EPA and the Army Corps (the agencies) remove or elements of the definition that are invalid under the Sackett decision, including the significant nexus test and the definition of ‘adjacent.’ Join NACo for a discussion of the amendments made by the agencies and the future of WOTUS.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

NACo Cyberattack Simulation: Ransomware

(Monday, September 11-15, 2023, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)

In response to the growing threat landscape and complexity of the interdependent and networked business of counties, NACo is partnering with the Professional Development Academy and their community of CISOs, CIOS, risk managers and cyber leaders to launch cyberattack simulation training.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

Earmarks: What Urban, Suburb and, and Rural Counties Need to Know to Get Started

(Tuesday, September 12, 2023, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)

Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending (often referred to as earmarks) in early 2021. Since then, hundreds of county governments have secured billions of dollars in funding during the last three funding cycles. Nearly half of all earmark funding has been provided to government entities for a wide range of local projects and initiatives. Funded projects include all manner of road and transportation projects, wastewater and drinking water system projects, community centers and facilities acquisitions, flood mitigation, blight elimination, emergency services and police facilities, and more.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

 CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT 

 

This week's corporate partner spotlight highlights ISACo's partnership with Comcast.

Comcast Corporation is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment, and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services.  It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services.  Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks produce original content and has exclusive content rights. 

With more than 6,000 local employees, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region (https://chicago.comcast.com) serves customers in central and northern Illinois, including the Chicago area, northwest Indiana, and southwest Michigan.

More information about the services provided by Comcast is available via this link.

Click on this link to learn more about the benefits and opportunities available through ISACo's Corporate Partner Program.

Become an ISACo Member!