This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes bills signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker, links to ISACo's Bills Approved by Both Chambers: Legislation of Interest to Counties in 2025 report, congratulates McHenry County Administrator Pete Austin on his forthcoming retirement, reports on Illinois' July employment rates, highlights a new episode of ISACo's Counties Count! Podcast that discusses the importance of civility in county government, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, encourages counties to consider investing funds with ISACo corporate partner IPRIME, shares information about upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Linebarger Attorneys at Law and invites counties to join ISACo.
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Governor Bill Actions
SB 0024 (P.A. 104-0339) - Missing Persons Identification
SB 0039 (P.A. 104-0341) - Vets-Tiny Homes-Ev Exemption
SB 0058 (P.A. 104-0342) - DCEO-Regional Manufacturing
SB 0324 (P.A. 104-0351) - Juvenile Court & DCFS Custody Reform Act
SB 0328 (P.A. 104-0352) - Civil Law-Tech
SB 0453 (P.A. 104-0358) - Employment-Tech
SB 0593 (P.A. 104-0359) - Health Care Workforce Task Force Act
SB 0637 (P.A. 104-0360) - Local Government-Tech
SB 1274 (P.A. 104-0371) - Voucher-Taxi & Car-Share
SB 1295 (P.A. 104-0372) - 9-1-1 Telecommunicator CPR
SB 1346 (P.A. 104-0375) - Managed Care & Insurance Cards
SB 1523 (P.A. 104-0382) - Cty Cd-Deed Verification
SB 1548 (P.A. 104-0384) - Amber Alerts-Disabled Persons
SB 1814 (P.A. 104-0394) - DPH-Amniotic Fluid Embolism
SB 1827 (P.A. 104-0395) - Fire Districts--Design-Build
SB 1859 (P.A. 104-0396) - Climate Displacement Act
SB 1899 (P.A. 104-0398) - FOID-Diversionary Program
SB 1941 (P.A. 104-0401) - Veh Cd-Flashing Lights
SB 1953 (P.A. 104-0158) - Police Records & Sheriff Board
SB 1976 (P.A. 104-0161) - Workers Rights and Safety
SB 2044 (P.A. 104-0406) - Web-Based Signatures Act
SB 2253 (P.A. 104-0415) - Govt Disclosure-Eminent Domain
SB 2323 (P.A. 104-0159) - Human Trafficking-Victims
SB 2455 (P.A. 104-0421) - DNR-Various
SB 2466 (P.A. 104-0423) - Open Lands-Grants to Govts
SB 2493 (P.A. 104-0426) – Electrical Service Broadband Deployment & Access Law
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 Congratulates Pete Austin on His Forthcoming Retirement
Congratulations to County Administrator Pete Austin, who after 20 years of service and high-level leadership has announced his intention to retire, effective Jan. 2, 2026.
During Austin’s two decades as Administrator, McHenry County achieved a top Aaa+ bond rating and became debt free. He guided a long list of projects to completion, from the widening of Rakow Road and Randall Road to the building of a new Valley Hi Nursing Home and, more recently, its new Heart of the Valley memory care wing. His tenure also saw unprecedented collaboration and shared services initiatives with McHenry County local governments as well as the collar counties, Cook County and Chicago.
ISACo values Pete's contributions to McHenry County and ISACo and wishes him all the best!
Illinois Employment Rates for July
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that total nonfarm payrolls were nearly unchanged over-the-month in July, down -2,500 (0.0%) to 6,165,600. The June monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +9,400 to +2,300.
The industry sectors with the largest over-the-month jobs increases included: Construction (+2,900), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+1,700), and Private Education and Health Services (+1,100). The industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll jobs decreases included: Professional and Business Services (-3,500), Government (-2,900), and Leisure and Hospitality (-1,200).
The press release that includes the full report is available via this link.
New Episode of ISACo's Counties Count! Podcast
This episode of ISACo's Counties Count! Podcast explores why civility isn’t just about being polite — it’s about building stronger, more effective local government. Drawing on lessons from the Great Lakes Civility Project and practical communication strategies, we highlight how county officials can disagree respectfully, listen actively, and invest in relationships that outlast any single vote. Civility isn’t weakness — it’s a leadership tool that strengthens trust, improves decision-making, and keeps communities moving forward. Click on the image to listen to the podcast!
What We're Reading
Pritzker Signs Police Background Check Expansion in Sonya Massey’s Honor (Capitol News Illinois)
State Police Starts New Human Trafficking Task Force in Illinois (WCIA)
The Challenge of Getting PFAS Out of Drinking Water (Governing)
Learn more about IPRIME
Founded in 2019, the Illinois Public Reserves Investment Management Trust™ (IPRIME™) referred to as “the Fund” is an investment pool for Municipal Treasurers acting on behalf of counties, townships, cities, towns, villages, libraries, park districts, water supply districts, fire protection districts, sanitary districts, housing authorities and other subdivisions of the State of Illinois.
The IPRIME Investment Shares Series is rated AAAm by Standard & Poor’s.
The Investment Shares Series is comprised of money market instruments having a maximum remaining maturity of one year (except U.S. government obligations that may have remaining maturities of up to two years).
The primary objectives of the Investment Shares Series are to offer the highest possible investment yield, protect principal, preserve liquidity and maintain Standard & Poor’s highest local government investment pool rating of AAAm. In addition, the Fund offers access to PMA Financial Network, LLC’s Fixed Income and Deposit Programs. With the experience and expertise of PMA, the Investment Shares Series grants investors access to a powerful investment management team that functions with a high standard of vision, synergy, and quality.
Click on the photo below to learn more about IPRIME!
Please contact Member Services and Communications Manager Tiffani Homer at thomer@isacoil.org if you have additional questions.
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.
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. 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.
Enhancing Child Welfare: Best Practices for Measuring and Improving Outcomes
(Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)
Join NACo for an insightful webinar focusing on child welfare specifically designed for county governments. We will delve into evidence-based practices, informed funding decisions, cost efficiencies, and effective program management. Key areas of discussion will include out-of-home placements, prevention services, and reunification services.
During the webinar, NACo panel of county leaders will share the latest methodologies for outcomes monitoring and discuss the importance of translating these outcomes into actionable practices. Attendees will gain valuable insights into identifying service gaps, leveraging data for increased service utilization, and supporting fiscal efficiencies. This session will empower county executives and department leaders with strategies to measure outcomes effectively and implement best practices for continuous quality improvement.
Key takeaways:
1. Understanding the importance of outcomes monitoring
2. Measuring and reporting best practices to enhance accountability and transparency
3. Improving preventative and early intervention services
4. Optimizing resource allocation and enhancing collaboration
5. Implementing standardized assessments and continuous quality improvement initiatives
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
Unity in Uncertainty: Thriving Through Turbulence
(Tuesday, October 9, 2025, 2:00pm-3:00pm CST)
This training will focus on the current operating environment and emphasize core partnerships to identify opportunities and strengthen infrastructure security and resilience. Comprehensive partnerships and diverse perspectives can solidify and fortify operations during uncertain times.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP is the largest law firm in the nation dedicated exclusively to collecting governmental debt. Last year we managed more than $10 billion in delinquencies on behalf of more than 2,400 governmental entities. Our collection programs are custom tailored using the latest technology and guided by the highest legal and ethical standards.
In addition to standard collection services, our unique data analysis technology gives us the ability to identify potential receivables such as erroneous homestead exemptions.
Linebarger’s Chicago office provides comprehensive collection services to cities across Illinois including Chicago, Waukegan, Joliet and Springfield, as well as the Illinois Department of Revenue.
Click here to learn more about Linebarger Attorneys at Law.
Become an ISACo Member!
Is your county a member of ISACo? If not, why not?
ISACo is a statewide association whose mission is to empower county officials to provide excellent service to their residents.
ISACo member counties are comprised of forward-thinking public servants who recognize that the challenges confronting county governments require new and innovative ideas, collaborative solutions and collective advocacy at the state and federal levels of government.
Members of the association will benefit from education and training opportunities, peer-to-peer networking, shared resources and robust representation before policymakers at various levels of government. ISACo creates and connects county officials to these opportunities and successfully equips them to make counties ideal places to live, work and play.
If your county is interested in discussing membership in ISACo, please contact Member Services and Communications Manager Tiffani Homer at (217) 679-3368 or thomer@isacoil.org. ISACo member counties are listed here. Thank you for your consideration.