This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes the General Assembly schedule for this week, makes county officials and staff aware of ISACo's Amendment Reports, conveys information about the emergence of draft language for an energy omnibus bill, highlights a new episode of ISACo's Counties Count! Podcast, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, makes county officials and staff aware of available grant funding for outdoor fitness courts in counties, shares information about the upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference, highlights ISACo corporate partner National Fitness Campaign (NFC) and invites counties to join ISACo.

General Assembly Schedule This Week 

The House and Senate are in session during what is scheduled to be the final week of the spring legislative session. Both chambers will be in session from May 27-31. The Senate resumed work on the afternoon of May 26. Adjournment of the spring legislative session is scheduled for Saturday, May 31. The House Calendar is available here. The Senate Calendar is available here.

A complete list of ISACo-tracked bills is available via this link. ISACo staff continues to keep this resource for counties updated and current following the introduction of numerous amendments. ISACo-tracked bills are searchable by number, category, keyword, or whether they would create a mandate or reduce revenues. ISACo has taken positions on many of these bills in accordance with our County Platform. 

ISACo Amendment Reports

Each day, ISACo compiles a list of amendments pertinent to counties that were filed on the previous session day. Filed amendments do not become part of a bill unless adopted by a committee or on the floor of the House or Senate. Each Amendment Report is posted on ISACo's website. County officials and staff are encouraged to visit www.isacoil.org each day if interested in reviewing county-relevant amendments filed on the prior session day. ISACo's Amendment Reports to date are included below:

May 26

May 22

May 21

May 20

Energy Omnibus Legislative Drafts Emerge

Last week, two drafts of an energy omnibus bill circulated. ISACo reviewed the 622-page first draft and prepared an analysis of the provisions of most interest to counties. This memorandum, available by clicking on the image below, was shared with our Wind and Solar Task Force and Environment, Energy, and Land Use Committee. 

ISACo is currently reviewing the 689-page second draft, which appears substantially similar to the initial draft. We anticipate additional changes in one or more subsequent drafts. One of the changes may be the removal of language requiring electricity mega-users, such as data centers, to construct their own energy plants.

Of note, various business and labor organizations, along with the Illinois Municipal League, have raised concerns about the draft legislation because of provisions that may increase energy costs and stifle economic development. The letter is available via this link.

New Episode of ISACo's Counties Count! Podcast 

ISACo’s Counties Count! Podcast continues to explore key topics impacting Illinois counties. The most recent episode   is titled "Behind the Budget: What Might Reconciliation Bring for States, Counties and Taxpayers?" The podcast explores the federal budget reconciliation process and its far-reaching implications for state and local governments. Click on the image below to listen. 

 What We're Reading

Trump Tax Bill Clears the House in a Victory for Republicans, Advances to the Senate (CNBC)

Here's the Late Changes Republicans Made to Trump's Big Bill (AP)

Strategic Budgeting: Why it Matters For Every Taxpayer (American City and County)

Most Governors Make Strong Commitments to Mental Health (Governing)

Grant Funding Available for Outdoor Fitness Courts by National Fitness Campaign (NFC)

ISACo is excited to share an opportunity for county officials and staff to benefit their counties. County officials are invited to apply for an outdoor fitness court through ISACo's corporate sponsorship with National Fitness Campaign. 

National Fitness Campaign (NFC) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois have announced $750,000 in new grant funding to communities and schools in the state of Illinois. This funding will be allocated to support counties across the state to join the growing National Fitness Campaign, building healthy infrastructure for smart communities and schools of the future. 

If you are not familiar with the Campaign, the program is designed to bring world-class healthy infrastructure to public spaces, along with consulting, funding and community programming support. 

Information about National Fitness Campaign (NFC) is available via this link. 

Grant application information is available via this link. 

Click on the photo below to watch a video about NFC!

Please contact Member Services and Communications Manager Tiffani Homer at thomer@isacoil.org if you have additional questions. 

Join ISACo's Policy Committees

ISACo policy committees shape the Association's legislative advocacy efforts. Meetings are held virtually and committees meet four times per year unless committee members desire to meet more frequently. Service on an ISACo Policy Committee is contingent upon the county being a member of ISACo or the applicant being a member of an affiliated association.

Policy Committee opportunities are as follows. Committees with links are already meeting, although there are openings on all policy committees.

• Agriculture and Rural Affairs Policy Committee
• Community, Economic and Workforce Development Policy Committee
• Environment, Energy and Land Use Policy Committee
• Public Health Policy Committee
• Justice and Public Safety Policy Committee
• Transportation Policy Committee
• Arts and Culture Policy Committee

Please click on the image below, complete the form and e-mail it to Legislative Advocacy and Research Manager Nekya Hall at nhall@isacoil.org. 

NACo Annual Conference 

The NACo Annual Conference is the premier gathering of elected and appointed officials from the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs. 

This year, the conference will take place from July 11, 2025, to July 14, 2025, in Philadelphia, PA.

County officials and staff will have the opportunity to participate in discussions of federal policies impacting counties, workshops lifting up county best practices, engaging general sessions, mobile tours across our host county and more.

This is a one-of-a-kind advocacy opportunity to strengthen our intergovernmental partnerships for years to come.

Click on this link to register for the conference. 

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.   

Chart Your Course: Real Stories of Counties Advancing with AI Online Learning

(Thursday, May 29, 2025, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)

A continuation of our "Chart Your Course" digital learning program, this webinar will highlight how counties are leveraging the Microsoft online learning platform to upskill their workforce in artificial intelligence and related technologies. Hear directly from county representatives as they share real-world examples, practical strategies, and lessons learned from integrating digital learning into their staff development efforts. Whether you're just getting started or looking to strengthen existing programs, this session will offer valuable insights to support your journey.

Click on this link to register for the webinar. 

Efficiency in Action: Saving Millions, Serving Better — Summit County’s Success Story

(Thursday, June 12, 2025, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)

Join NACo for an insightful webinar that explores the transformative impact of the NEXT program in Summit County, Ohio. This workforce development initiative, powered by Unite Us technology, has not only helped working families achieve economic self-sufficiency but has also delivered millions of dollars in cost savings and hundreds of administrative hours saved. Learn how outdated manual processes slowed progress and created inefficiencies—until the program adopted secure data sharing, closed-loop referrals, and streamlined billing solutions to drive faster, more effective support.

Dive into the key results, including:
- $3M in first-year savings;
- $190K distributed to community organizations; and
- 591 administrative hours gained.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how technology can drive significant improvements in government efficiency and constituent outcomes. Register for the webinar today and join the conversation on transforming community services.

Click on this link to register for the webinar. 

Impacts of Federal Action on Local Jurisdictions: A Conversation on County Administration

(Monday, June 16, 2025, 2:00pm-3:00pm CST)

National policy has far-reaching implications across our entire country, but distilling its impacts on specific states and localities can be difficult. Join NACo staff and representatives of the National Association of County Administrators (NACA) for deep dive into how recent federal action is impacting county government administration and management. In this webinar, you will hear from a panel of county administrators as they unpack their local responses to the current federal and political environment and, ultimately, prioritize good governance and high-quality service delivery.

Click on this link to register for the webinar. 

Building Trust: The Framework for Responsible AI

(Monday, June 23, 2025, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)

As AI becomes an integral part of business operations, the imperative for responsible integration with existing county technology grows. This webinar will explore the critical considerations and frameworks necessary for implementing AI ethically and effectively. By exploring the core themes of transparency, accountability, reliability, safety, privacy, security, fairness, and human oversight, we aim to provide a comprehensive guide for harnessing AI's potential responsibly.
 
Our county guest speakers will share their experiences with AI deployments, providing valuable insights into overcoming challenges like reducing fears, addressing bias, and enhancing constituent trust. They'll share practical strategies for ensuring AI initiatives are both effective and efficient, delivering tangible benefits to communities. 

Key Takeaways

• Transparency and Accountability: Discover how to ensure AI systems are open and accountable, enabling trust and preventing misuse by clearly defining roles and responsibilities.
• Reliability and Safety: Learn about robust validation techniques to ensure AI systems perform accurately and safely in varied scenarios, protecting public welfare.
• Privacy and Security: Gain insights into safeguarding sensitive data and securing AI systems from breaches, in compliance with legal and ethical standards.
• Fairness and Non-Discrimination: Understand how to design AI systems that avoid biased outcomes, ensuring equitable treatment for all demographics and upholding civil rights.
• Human Oversight and Autonomy: Explore the importance of maintaining informed human oversight in AI processes to empower individuals and preserve their agency in decision-making.

By attending this webinar, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to build a robust framework for responsible AI use.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.  

New BRECC Toolkit: Coal Communities’ Pathways for Economic Diversification

(Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)

Join the BRECC National Network to learn how coal counties are diversifying their economies through increasing housing supply, providing innovative workforce development opportunities and revitalizing downtowns. NACo will unveil our new economic diversification toolkit with six proven strategies for coal and other rural communities. For more information on BRECC's National Network learning series and other programming, visit naco.org/brecc. 

Click on this link to register for the webinar. 

Faster, Smarter Disaster Relief: How LA County Used AI & Geospatial Mapping to Deliver $20M in Aid

(Thursday, June 26, 2025, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)

Disaster response demands speed, coordination, and accessible tools to reach communities when they need it most. When wildfires struck LA County, officials launched two major relief programs in just two weeks - delivering $2,000 grants to impacted workers and up to $25,000 to affected businesses. Join LA County and AidKit to explore actionable strategies and replicable tech solutions that can strengthen your jurisdiction’s readiness for future crises.

Key Takeaways:
- Strategies for incorporating geospatial technology in disaster planning and response.
- Techniques for using identity verification tools to balance security and accessibility.
- Best practices for building public-private partnerships in times of crisis.

Click on this link to register for the webinar. 

CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT  

 

A Wellness Consulting Firm on a Mission to Change Health Outcomes in America

 

In 2025, National Fitness Campaign (NFC) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois have announced $750,000 in new grant funding to communities and schools in the state of Illinois. This funding will be allocated to support communities across the state to join the growing National Fitness Campaign, building healthy infrastructure for smart communities and schools of the future. The campaign has expanded significantly the past few years, with plans to welcome its 750th Healthy Community in America in 2025, fostering a healthier, more active country.

In 2025, the program is seeking applications from counties across the state of Illinois, interested in building accessible outdoor wellness infrastructure to support the health and wellbeing of their residents. Funding is now available for 2025 applicants.

To learn more about NFC, please click here.

Become an ISACo Member! 

Is your county a member of ISACo? If not, why not?