This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes bills signed into legislation by Governor JB Pritzker, highlights new state taxes and laws that take effect starting today in Illinois, announces Governor JB Pritzker's running candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, reports on the first human West Nile virus case in the state, shares the concerns over proposed U.S. housing and urban development cuts, invites county officials and staff to the Illinois State Treasurers' annual Local Officials Appreciation Picnic at the Illinois State Fair in August, 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, conveys information about the upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference, highlights ISACo corporate partner Nationwide and invites counties to join ISACo.  

The ISACo Team wishes all a Happy Fourth of July!

Governor Bill Actions

HB 1075 (P.A. 104-0002) – Budget Implementation Bill (BIMP)

HB 2755 (P.A. 104-0006) – Revenue Omnibus

HB 3374 (P.A. 104-0008) – Bond Authorization

ISACo will include further updates on signed legislation in the News and Views e-newsletter when bills receive public act numbers. Our "Bills Approved by Both Chambers: Legislation of Interest to Counties" report will also be continuously updated.

Governor Issues Partial Veto on Budget Implementation Bill

Earlier this month, Governor JB Pritzker issued a partial veto on the 2026 Budget Implementation Bill (SB 2510). The Governor reduced funding for two capital line items in the Build Illinois Bond Fund, cutting about $161 million from what was originally approved by the General Assembly. His office described these reductions as necessary corrections due to “drafting errors” that would have exceeded what lawmakers authorized in a related bill.

The two affected line items include:

Article 129: Reduced from $147,314,964 to $52,852,964

Article 181: Reduced from $103,608,422 to $36,914,422

In his veto message, the Governor explained that the reductions were necessary to bring the bill into compliance with statutory bond authorization limits.

The appropriations as originally passed exceeded the bond issuance capacity approved by the General Assembly in HB 3374. By issuing the reductions, the Governor aims to correct what he identified as a drafting error that would have overcommitted state bond funds.

The rest of the bill was signed into law and goes into effect on July 1, 2025, as Public Act 104-0003.

Bills of Interest to Counties in 2025

ISACo has published our Bills Approved by Both Chambers: Legislation of Interest to Counties in 2025 report. The report organizes approved bills by category, includes a synopsis and ISACo's position. The report will be updated frequently as the Governor signs legislation into law. Please click on the image for our most updated comprehensive report on bills approved by both chambers of interest to counties.

*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's 2025 post-session information is available via this link.

New State Taxes and Laws Take Effect July 1 in Illinois

Beginning July 1, several targeted tax increases will take effect in Illinois as part of the state’s new $55 billion budget. Motorists will see a slight hike in the gas tax, rising about 1 cent per gallon, while diesel will go up by a similar amount. Sports betting will now be subject to a new per-wager tax of 25 to 50 cents, which is expected to generate $36 million in state revenue. Taxes on vaping and other nicotine products will also rise significantly, with wholesale tax rates increasing from 15% to 45%, likely pushing retail prices much higher. These increases are expected to bring in $50 million, primarily to support Medicaid and smoking cessation efforts.

Short-term rental platforms will now be subject to the state’s hotel operators tax, potentially affecting listings beyond Airbnb. Additional laws taking effect include a ban on single-use toiletry bottles in large hotels, a new policy ending license suspensions for failing to appear in court for minor traffic violations, and a minimum wage increase in Chicago to $16.60 per hour. Meanwhile, a proposed ban on certain credit card fees has been delayed by a year due to pending legal challenges.

Governor Pritzker Announces Mitchell as Lieutenant Governor Candidate 

Governor JB Pritzker has announced that former Deputy Governor Christian Mitchell will join his ticket as the candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. Mitchell, a former state representative and current First Lieutenant in the Illinois Air National Guard, played a key role in major state initiatives including the $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital plan and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. He also helped lead the state’s pandemic response and efforts on cannabis legalization and public safety. With a background in community organizing and experience as the first Black executive director of the Democratic Party of Illinois, Mitchell now serves as Vice President for Civic Engagement at the University of Chicago. Pritzker praised Mitchell’s leadership and commitment to working families, while Mitchell expressed excitement to continue building on the administration’s progress.

First Human Case of West Nile Virus in Illinois of 2025 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed Illinois’ first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) of 2025 in an individual from Southern Illinois who was hospitalized due to complications of the infection. About one in 150 people who contract the disease caused by a bite from an infected mosquito develop a severe illness that can affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves and even cause paralysis.

The press release is available via this link. 

Concerns Over Proposed U.S. Housing and Urban Development Cuts

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board approved a resolution on Friday, June 20, 2025, that objects to any decrease in funding for rental assistance in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget that would also impact affordable housing development in Illinois and across the nation. The resolution affirms the critical importance of HUD-funded programs to Illinois residents, particularly low- and extremely low-income households, and highlights the devastating impact the proposed reductions would have on housing stability, community development, and the state’s broader economy.

The press release is available via this link. 

Local Officials Appreciation Picnic at the Illinois State Fair – Hosted by the State Treasurer’s Office

Join the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office for its annual appreciation picnic recognizing local government officials on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. CST on the Director’s Lawn at the Illinois State Fair. The event will feature lunch, games, and prize giveaways for all attendees. State Treasurer Michael Frerichs extends a warm invitation to municipal leaders across Illinois to attend this special gathering in recognition of your service. Advance registration is encouraged and can be completed via this link.

What We're Reading

‘People don't know this’: Why MLK came to DuPage County in 1967 (Daily Herald)

In July 1: Tax Hikes for Gas, Zyn and Betting. Out: Hotel Mini Shampoos. (Chicago Tribune)

Illinois State Climatologist Wonders How Cuts to Weather Services Could Play into Climate Change. (Northern Public Radio)

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. 

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.     

What to Know Before You Go to NACO’s Annual Conference

(Tuesday, July 1, 2025, 2:00pm-3:00pm CST)

Join NACo staff to learn ways to maximize your NACo Annual Conference experience and to answer your questions. The conference is the premier opportunity for county leaders to exchange cutting-edge practices, network with one another and shape our federal policy agenda for the year ahead. 

Click on this link to register for the webinar. 

Unlock the Full Potential of Retirement Plans: Discover the Advantages of Today's Lifetime Income

(Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)

A recent survey by the Nationwide Retirement Institute® revealed that roughly ¾ of Americans fear they’ll run out of money before they run out of time. 

Join Nationwide and NACo EDGE for a presentation that discusses how lifetime income solutions can build participant confidence. Many misconceptions surround incorporating lifetime income into retirement planning. This presentation offers positive reality checks about solutions that can help participants achieve a more secure retirement.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.  

Proactively Defend Your Collection Rate: How Automation Makes It Possible

(Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)

The path to payment is more complex than ever—and for county providers, that means that having a strong understanding of payer policies, claim prioritization and opportunities for automation is crucial.

By using automation and analytics to drive decision-making, county providers can have confidence in the actions they’re taking to facilitate cash flow and support the mission of the organizations they serve. Even in the midst of uncertainty. 

Join Leah Bezanson, Patient Revenue Supervisor at Minnesota Department of Human Services and Erica Gregory, SVP & GM, Revenue Cycle Management at Netsmart, for insights on how automation can help protect collection rates, enhance accuracy and improve data visibility.

Attendees can expect to gain an understanding of: 

•    Strategies for addressing large volumes of denials, especially as the move to privatized plans may be driving more denials and strenuous adjudication rules 
•    How to keep pace with the use of AI and automation among payers 
•    Real-world examples of a public sector organization using revenue cycle automation to accelerate cash and strengthen collection rates 
•    How supervisors and finance leaders can use automation to simplify the reimbursement process and support staff

Click on this link to register for the webinar. 

Legislative Landscape: Prescription Drug Costs & County Impacts

(Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)

There is significant legislative activity at both the federal and state levels focused on prescription drug costs. These developments have important implications for employer-sponsored health plans, including how counties administer their prescription drug benefits and broader healthcare offerings.

This webinar from NACo's Public Promise Insurance will provide an overview of the current legislative landscape and highlight key trends expected to shape county benefit plans in 2025 and beyond. Hear directly from Leanna Gassaway, Vice President of Government Affairs at CVS Health, on what's unfolding in Washington and what it means for your county.

What will be covered:

• Overview of the prescription drug benefit landscape
• 2025 legislative proposals and litigation at both the federal and local level
• Potential impact on health insurance coverage, including implications on cost for plan sponsors
• Opportunities for you to engage on this important issue

Click on this link to register for the webinar. 

Robert's Rules 102: Advancing Your Meeting Mastery for Effective Governance

(Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)

​​​​​​Robert’s Rules can help you run effective meetings. Don’t forget to attend “Roberts Rules 101 – Mastering the Basics” being held at the NACo Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pa. Whether you're a newbie or an experienced leader, Robert's Rules 102 goes beyond the basics to equip you with the skills needed to orchestrate meetings that truly make an impact. Learn to minimize disruptions, establish proper procedures and apply Robert's Rules to real-life parliamentary examples.

Click on this link to register for the webinar. 

CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT  

Over the past 85 years, focusing on customers and valuing people have helped Nationwide become one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in the world.

Even though Nationwide has dozens of affiliated companies, people are its biggest resource – and its greatest asset in providing excellent customer service to its customers. That’s why its Supply Management Services group makes sure agents and associates get the best quality products and services, at the best possible cost. It’s also why Nationwide has an Office of Customer Advocacy.

Click here to learn more about Nationwide.

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