This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes an analysis of the omnibus energy bill filed in September, links to Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) resources about the grocery sales tax repeal, includes an update about federal issues of interest to counties, presents the most recent Counties Count! Podcast discussing the legacy of former Governor Jim Edgar, shares information about a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Kwame Raoul against Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster, provides an update about Illinois' employment statistics for August, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, highlights ISACo corporate partner Comcast and invites counties to join ISACo.

ISACo Analysis of Omnibus Energy Bill

The Illinois General Assembly is expected to consider HB 4116 during the forthcoming fall veto session (October 14-16 and 28-30). HB 4116 is an omnibus energy bill sponsored by Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) that would establish new statewide standards for wind, solar, and energy storage systems. ISACo staff has reviewed the legislation to assess its impact on counties, including provisions related to a solar bill of rights, siting authority, fees, taxation, road use agreements, and environmental protections. Our analysis highlights how the bill would both limit and clarify county authority in these areas. Click the image below to read ISACo’s analysis.

Comments about the legislation can be shared with Legislative Advocacy and Research Manager Nekya Hall at nhall@isacoil.org. 

ISACo staff is working to gain insights about what issues are most likely to be considered during the fall veto session and will provide an update when we have more clarity. 

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. 

Federal Update: Congress Faces Appropriations Deadline; FEMA Reform and Transportation Reauthorization in Focus

Congress faces a looming September 30 appropriations deadline, with counties bracing for potential impacts on grants, FEMA reimbursements, and intergovernmental partnerships. At the same time, federal action on FEMA reform, transportation reauthorization, and new executive orders could reshape key county priorities. ISACo has written an article, based on information provided by the National Association of Counties (NACo), that highlights what counties need to know. The article is available via this link. 

Counties Count! Podcast - Remembering Former Governor Jim Edgar: A Legacy of Steady Leadership

Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar, who passed away at 79, left behind a reputation for fiscal discipline, bipartisanship, and integrity. In this episode, we reflect on his journey from Charleston to the Statehouse, his accomplishments in education and government reform, and the enduring lessons of his public service. Click on the image below to listen to the podcast. 

Attorney General Raoul Files Lawsuit Against Live Nation Entertainment, Ticketmaster Over Deceptive Business Practices 

Attorney General Kwame Raoul, in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a bipartisan group of state attorneys general, filed a lawsuit on Thursday, September 18, against Live Nation Entertainment Inc. (Live Nation), and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ticketmaster LLC (Ticketmaster), over the company’s unlawful coordination with ticket brokers that drives up prices for tickets in resale markets. The lawsuit also alleges that Ticketmaster deceptively displays lower ticket prices on its website, only to charge customers substantially more at checkout. 

The press release is available via this link. 

Illinois Employment Rates for August

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced on Thursday, September 18, that total nonfarm payrolls decreased over-the-month in August, down -13,300 (-0.2%) to 6,153,700. The July monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from -2,500 to -1,100.

Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs increased by +5,900 jobs. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Private Education and Health Services (+18,600), Information (+4,800), and Financial Activities (+3,500). The industry groups with the largest jobs decreases included: Professional and Business Services (-11,600), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-8,600), and Manufacturing (-4,000). In August, total nonfarm payrolls were up +0.1 percent over-the-year in Illinois and up +0.9 percent in the nation.

The press release is available via this link. 

What We're Reading

Illinois House Speaker Says Lawmakers are More Aware of Their Surroundings (WGLT)

Downstate Will Get ‘Something’ from Chicago Transit Bill According to Illinois House Speaker (CIproud.com) 

Little Rain, High Variability in Farmers’ Yields Trending in Central IL this Harvest Season (WCIA)

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. 

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  

 

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.

Become an ISACo Member! 

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