This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes a reminder about the upcoming fall veto session, links to several newly-tracked ISACo bills, shares a recap of the Illinois House Ethics and Elections Committee subject matter hearing, announces that Governor Pritzker joined the Electrification Coalition for Illinois Electric Vehicle Policy Bootcamp, includes a position paper explaining an effort by a coalition of local government groups to amend the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, shares that the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) launched the Next Generation Capacity Building Initiative Program, announces the newly appointed Director of Professional Regulation for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), reports on the September unemployment rate, announces tax relief for individuals and businesses affected by the conflict in the Middle East, highlights ISACo's October County Quarterly Newsletter, includes news content ISACO is staying up-to-date on this week, announces upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) and Public Surplus webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Comcast and invites counties to join ISACo.

The Upcoming 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 that are of most interest to counties 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 the Veto Session progresses.

List of Newly-Tracked Bills

*If there is no position listed then the bill is still under review by staff.

HB 4159 - Commission on Tourism (No Position)

HB 4161 - Consumable Hemp Licensing

HB 4162 - OMA-Default Rules

HB 4168 - Elections-Voting Age 16 (No Position)

HB 4176 - Crim Pro-Pretrial Services

HB 4179 - Emergency Service Dist.-Various

HB 4180 - Insurance-Diagnostic Mammogram (No Position)

HR 0442 - Illinois Wetlands Day (No Position)

HR 0444 - First Responder Safety (No Position)

SB 2589 - Supplemental Disaster Relief (No Position)

SB 2593 - Counties Cd-Treasurer Salary

SB 2595 - County Wind/Solar Regulation

SB 2600 - Medical Patients Rights-Fees (No Position)

SB 2603 - Electric Cooperative-Easements (No Position)

SB 2604 - Protective Orders-Notice

SB 2605 - Protective Orders-Notice

SB 2608 - Law Enforcement Hiring-Credit (No Position)

SB 2612 - Illinois Cure Act

SB 2613 - Paid Leave for All-Park Dist. (No Position)

*An ISACo tracked bill includes bills that directly or tangentially impact county finances and operations, bills that may be of interest to county officials for the performance of their duties and legislation presented "for your information." ISACo positions of "support" or "oppose" are usually reserved for bills that directly or tangentially impact county finances and operations. ISACo also supports member county initiatives that are consistent with ISACo's County Platform. A complete list of ISACo tracked bills is available via this link.

Illinois House Ethics and Elections Committee Hearing

On October 18, 2023, the Illinois House Ethics and Election Committee held a subject matter hearing on election security. The Committee said that Illinois will remain vigilant against evolving threats to the electoral process. Clerks from Tazewell and Fulton Counties spoke before the committee about their need for help in recruiting and retaining poll workers. The Illinois State Board of Elections (ISBE) spoke about their Cyber Navigator program that helps local election authorities defend, detect and recover from cyber attacks. ISBE is also responsible for the testing of voting equipment prior to every election. ISBE plans to provide public service announcements via social media throughout 2024 to address misinformation about the vote-by-mail process.  

Illinois Electric Vehicle Policy Bootcamp

On October 17, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker joined several local stakeholders for the Illinois Medium- and Heavy- Duty Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy Bootcamp hosted by the Electrification Coalition. The event was an opportunity for Illinois legislators, companies and environmental organizations to convene and advance Illinois’ commitment to fighting climate change with transitions to zero-emission vehicles.

“As Governor, I’m working with industry partners to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and to fight climate change,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m excited to welcome the Electrification Coalition to Illinois, as our state’s manufacturing workforce is best-in-the-nation and second-to-none. Together, we have an opportunity to shape the next frontier of electrification, and it starts right here.”

The press release is available via this link.

Paid Leave for All Workers Act

ISACo is partnering with other local government associations to seek an amendment to the Paid Leave for All Workers Act (P.A. 102-1143). The Act is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024. Our effort will occur during the Veto Session (October 24-27 and November 7-9). We are still awaiting the introduction of the legislation, but the eventual bill will include an exemption for counties, municipalities and townships. The Act already exempts school districts and park districts.

For more information, please view the Coalition position paper via this link.

New Program Launched to Support Emerging Housing Developers

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) launched the Next Generation Capacity Building Initiative (Next Gen), a new program designed to expand the talent pipeline and increase diversity within the housing development field and related industries. Next Gen will provide training and technical assistance to expand access to pre-development financing and housing resources administered by the state, with a focus on reducing barriers to entry for developers of color in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. This joint initiative between IHDA and LISC is part of the Authority's continuing efforts to support the capacity and growth of a diverse pool of affordable housing developers in Illinois.

Applications from Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) developers seeking to participate in the Next Gen training program can be found here.

The press release is available this link. 

IDFPR Announces New Acting Director of Professional Regulation

On October 16, 2023, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announced that Camile Lindsay will serve as the next acting Director of Professional Regulation, pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate. Lindsay previously served in the Pritzker Administration as First Assistant Deputy Governor for infrastructure, public safety, environment and energy.

The press release is available via this link.

Illinois Payroll Jobs Increase to Record High, Unemployment Rate Up in September

On October 19, 2023, The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced that the unemployment rate increased +0.3 percentage point to 4.4 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased +9,500 in September to a record high and surpassing the pre-pandemic number of total nonfarm payrolls, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The August revised unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, unchanged from the preliminary August unemployment rate. The August monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from -100 to +3,800 jobs. The September unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.

The press release is available via this link. 

Tax Relief for Individuals and Businesses Affected by the Conflict in the Middle East

On October 17, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker announced tax relief for individuals and businesses affected by the attacks that took place in Israel on October 10, 2023.

Impacted taxpayers may request to waive penalties and interest with the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) if they cannot file their returns or make timely payments for income, withholding, sales, specialty and excise taxes. The deadline has been extended to October 7, 2024, and the relief is limited to returns and payments due between October 7, 2023, and October 7, 2024.

The press release is available via this link.  

What We're Reading  

Election Integrity in the Age of Generative AI: Fact vs. Fiction (Governing)

County’s Election Results to be Posted Online Same Night (Governing)

ISP Receives $10 Million Grant to Combat Vehicle Thefts and Hijackings (ABC Newschannel 20)

Report: Census Bureau Data Suggests a Return to Normalcy for Residential Real Estate (American City and County)

Biden Announces 7 Hydrogen Hubs From California to Pennsylvania (Governing)

DOT Opens Applications for $10B Competitive Funding Opportunity for Large Bridge Projects Greater than $100M (American City and County)

Skills-Based Hiring Widens Potential Government Workforce (Governing)

States Are Trying to Prop Up the Child-Care Industry. It Isn’t Enough (Governing)

State Officials Recommend Gas Price Increase for 4.1 Million Consumers (Capitol News Illinois)

October County Quarterly Newsletter

ISACo's October County Quarterly Newsletter is here! The County Quarterly will be mailed, but is also available by clicking on the image below.

Upcoming Public Surplus Webinar Dates

Public Surplus will be offering 20-minute webinar sessions to interested individuals to learn more about Public Surplus and its online auction site. Participants will also be guided on how to register, or re-register to create a new account.

Public Surplus is an online auction platform that offers services to local government agencies.  

ISACo has partnered with Public Surplus to provide large discounts for our county members when it comes to doing online auctions, specifically real estate sales.

Through a partnership with ISACo, Illinois counties are eligible to list items with a reduced buyer's premium, which will encourage competitive bidding on surplus items listed. With Public Surplus, buyers are responsible for all service fees, and it costs counties nothing to use the service.

Public Surplus will also provide a 10 percent rebate to ISACo on each sale so that the Association can continue to offer a high level of service at minimal cost to members.

The webinar will take place on the following dates:

• November 3, 2023 at 2pm CST
• November 16, 2023 at 1pm CST
• November 30, 2023 at 10am CST

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. 

Unlocking Opportunity by Increasing Digital Equity

(Monday, October 23, 2023, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)

Closing the digital divide means more than building broadband infrastructure in areas that lack it-it also means closing the much larger gap of consumers who don't subscribe to broadband even when it is available. Billions in federal funding are now available to address these challenges. Despite this, disparities persist in the rates of broadband adoption that undermine opportunities for job training, access to health care, and economic growth. This presentation provided by Comcast will examine the roles county leaders will play in developing digital equity plans that address barriers to broadband availability and adoption and tap into broadband as a powerful tool for economic opportunity.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

Help Eligible Plan Participants Prepare For Retirement

(Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 3:00pm-4:00pm CST)

Employer-sponsored retirement plans are an essential component of your employees’ benefits package. Join NACo for a webinar to learn how to help employees save for retirement, helping YOU to improve morale, attract top talent and reduce employee turnover.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

Creating a Long-Term Housing and Land Use Plan and Periodically Measure Success Towards Goals

(Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)

Zoning is important to designate how a parcel of land is used within a community, and a community land use plan seeks to properly map out the land within a county jurisdiction. To built, renovate, or provide quality rental housing also requires infrastructure like roads, utilizes, and broadband, some of which counties build, maintain, regulate, or otherwise support. In this session, three former housing task force members will discuss counties land use and zoning plans and how they relate to tacking counties’ housing affordability challenges.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

Securing the Vote: EI-ISAC's Cybersecurity Solutions for the 2024 General Election

(Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)

The Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC) is a critical resource for cyber threat prevention for the nation's election offices. To improve the cyber posture of election offices, the EI-ISAC partners with industry leaders to provide no-cost cybersecurity solutions to its members. The EI-ISAC is committed to keeping its members informed and protected against the ever-changing cyber threat landscape.
Join NACo to hear about the potential threats facing election offices as we approach the 2024 General Election year and the solutions we offer to protect your critical election infrastructure.
As a preview, two of the most beneficial solutions we offer are: Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Malicious Domain Blocking and Reporting (MDBR). EDR protects your endpoints by providing threat detection and prevention to quickly identify and stop the spread of ransomware. MDBR prevents your users from connecting to known or suspected malicious websites.
In addition to being no-cost solutions for election offices, these solutions are quick and easy to install. Counties that are under-resourced or lack cybersecurity tools may also be eligible for the no-cost solutions and services we provide.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

Help Eligible Plan Participants Prepare For Retirement

(Thursday, October 26, 2023, 3:00pm-4:00pm CST)

Employer-sponsored retirement plans are an essential component of your employees’ benefits package. Join NACo for a webinar to learn how to help employees save for retirement, helping YOU to improve morale, attract top talent and reduce employee turnover.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

Local Regulations, Building Codes and Fees: Improving County Regulation Systems for Efficiency

(Monday, October 30, 2023, 2:00pm-3:00pm CST)

Zoning is important to designate how a parcel of land is used within a community, and a community land use plan seeks to properly map out the land within a county jurisdiction. To built, renovate, or provide quality rental housing also requires infrastructure like roads, utilizes, and broadband, some of which counties build, maintain, regulate, or otherwise support. In this session, three former housing task force members will discuss counties land use and zoning plans and how they relate to tacking counties’ housing affordability challenges.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

Supreme Court Preview for Local Governments: 2023-2024 Term

(Tuesday, October 31, 2023, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)

Hosted by the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC), join legal experts in a discussion of the new Supreme Court term and what decisions local governments should watch. The Supreme Court will rule on several major cases this term, including on issues related to:

A possible new standard for employment liability under Title VII;
Whether a public official’s social media account can constitute state action for the purposes of the First Amendment;
Whether the Supreme Court should overrule Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, which relates to deference that courts should provide administrative agencies; and
Whether firearm regulations prohibiting individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders violate the Second Amendment
Speakers will discuss these cases as well as others that are relevant to local governments.

The LGLC is a coalition of national local government organizations formed in 2023 by the National Association of Counties (NACo), National League of Cities (NLC), International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) to provide education to local governments regarding the Supreme Court and its impact on local governments and local officials and to advocate for local government positions at the Supreme Court in appropriate cases.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

Making Relevant Data Accessible to Residents: Spotlight on Clermont County

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

As county government leaders, you are constantly seeking ways to improve local government services, enhance efficiency, and effectively connect with your residents. In this dynamic era, system modernization has emerged as a transformative strategy to address county goals and unlock the potential of government operations. Supported by compelling evidence and real-world examples, we will highlight the benefits Clermont County’s modern tech has brought to their community.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain valuable insights into the transformative potential of software modernization in counties.

• Discover best practices, lessons learned, and strategies for implementing shared data initiatives.

• Learn how county modernization can strengthen your connection with the communities you serve.

This presentation will focus on how Clermont County deployed Tyler Technologies solutions to serve its residents and on the county’s innovative approach to sharing data with its community. Join NACo as they dive into the benefits of county modernization through technology – connecting department services.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

TechKnow Series: November and December Sessions

(Thursday, November 20 - December 13, 2023, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)

November 20, 2023 | 12:00pm CST - Charting Your AI Growth: Practical Generative AI - An Introduction to Use Cases

December 13, 2023 | 12:00pm CST - Charting Your AI Growth: Practical Generative AI - Steps for Productivity Improvements

The dates above are for the TechKnow Webinar Series following the Tech Xchange Overview where there will be a discussion regarding the developments of Generative AI as a tool, its use cases and the potential in productivity improvements.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.  

CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

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, produces 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.

​Click here to learn more about Comcast.

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