This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes ISACo's 2025 State Mandates Report and Public Acts Report, acknowledges the passing of former Governor Jim Edgar, links to grocery sales tax resources from the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR), provides information about a Pritzker Administration Executive Order (EO) concerning vaccine guidelines for Illinois, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, shares information about upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner IPRIME and invites counties to join ISACo.

ISACo State Mandates Report for 2025

ISACo published our 2025 State Mandates Report listing new public acts that impose a new requirement or revenue loss on counties. The report is available by clicking on the image below.

State mandates reports for prior years are available on our ISACo Reports page.

ISACo 2025 Public Acts Report

ISACo has published a report of tracked bills enacted into law in 2025. As of today, all ISACo-tracked bills have been enacted into law by the Governor and are now public acts. The report will be updated to reflect any additional legislation approved during the fall Veto Session (October 14–16 and 28–30) that is subsequently signed into law. The report is available by clicking on the image below.

*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 Mourns the Passing of Former Governor Jim Edgar 

Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar, who also served as Illinois Secretary of State and State Representative, passed away Sunday at the age of 79 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. A respected and moderate Republican leader, Edgar served two terms as Illinois’ 38th governor from 1991 to 1999, navigating the state through financial challenges, instituting budget cuts, and securing stable funding for public schools. Known for his steady and principled style, Edgar distinguished himself from more flamboyant predecessors and earned widespread popularity, once winning reelection by carrying 101 of Illinois’ 102 counties. Despite encouragement to run for higher office, he chose to step away from elected life after two terms, later devoting his efforts to mentoring future leaders through the Edgar Fellows Program at the University of Illinois.

Governor JB Pritzker ordered flags lowered to half-staff in his honor. Governor Edgar leaves behind a legacy of fiscal responsibility, bipartisan cooperation, and a deep commitment to good government. He is survived by his wife, Brenda, and their two children, Brad and Elizabeth.

Grocery Tax Repeal Resources for Local Governments

The Illinois Department of Revenue has launched a new webpage to help local governments, businesses, and taxpayers stay informed about the upcoming grocery sales tax repeal effective January 1, 2026.

Local Government Grocery Tax Ordinance Information

Grocery tax ordinance template and how to submit a certified ordinance.

Local Government Grocery Tax Ordinance Status Report

Listing of local governments that submitted ordinances and their current status at IDOR. As of September 15, 2025, there are two counties included on the list.

Click on the image below for ISACo's Policy Brief about local grocery sales tax authority. 

Illinois Moves to Establish Independent Vaccine Guidelines

On Friday, September 12, Governor JB Pritzker announced Friday that Illinois will move forward with establishing its own vaccine guidelines in response to recent federal rollbacks on COVID-19 vaccine use and what he described as the Trump administration’s growing vaccine skepticism.

Under Executive Order (EO) 2025-04, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), working with the state Immunization Advisory Committee, will develop recommendations where federal actions “fail to protect public health.” The committee is scheduled to meet on September 22, 2025, with IDPH expected to release new guidance by September 26, 2025. The order authorizes providers to administer vaccines in line with these forthcoming state guidelines and directs IDPH to coordinate planning, supply, and access.

Governor Pritzker’s action follows steps taken by other states, including California, Oregon, and Washington, to establish their own vaccine frameworks amid federal leadership changes. While the order requires state-regulated insurance plans to continue covering vaccines beyond federal standards, it may not apply to large employer-based plans governed federally. Public health experts remain concerned that recent federal moves—such as limiting vaccine use for younger populations and removing key CDC leadership—will create new hurdles for patients. Pritzker pledged Illinois will “follow the science” to ensure access, though questions remain about potential costs for some families.

What We're Reading

Is Cashless Bail a Public Safety Risk? (Governing)

Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar Dies at 79 (Politico)

Capitol Agenda: Republicans to Reveal Funding Bill, Testing Democrats in Shutdown Showdown (Politico)

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.

New BRECC Toolkit: Coal Communities’ Pathways for Economic Diversification

(Monday, September 29, 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.

New BRECC Toolkit: Coal Communities’ Pathways for Economic Diversification

(Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)

​​​​​​County governments face unique challenges in managing employee healthcare costs while ensuring access to quality care. This webinar will delve deep into these obstacles and present solutions on how you support your county’s goals for improved health outcomes, budget predictability and employee satisfaction. Please join Craig Ulrich, Surest Key Account Executive with United Healthcare, to explore alternative health plan approaches that prioritize price transparency and promote the use of high-value providers, including models like the Surest Health Plan.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

Public Education Strategies to Tackle County Challenges: Mental Health, Workforce, and Gun Violence

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

​​​​​​​Join NACo for an insightful webinar with the Ad Council as they share their best practices on leveraging public education to help counties tackle three urgent challenges: the mental health crisis, workforce development, and gun violence prevention.
 
The Ad Council will highlight key messaging approaches, lessons learned from national campaigns and provide turn-key ways  to help counties elevate their efforts in these critical areas.
 
During the session, you’ll explore how counties can:

• Support parents and youth in navigating the growing mental health crisis
• Collaborate with employers to advance skills-first hiring practices
• Foster constructive, nonpartisan conversations around gun violence prevention 

Don't miss this opportunity to gain practical resources and insights to strengthen your county's public engagement initiatives!

Click on this link to register for the webinar.    

CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT 

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.

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

Become an ISACo Member! 

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