This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes an anticipatory look at the Veto Session that begins today, provides an update on a recent Sangamon County Circuit Court decision that portends to clarify the relationship between county boards and Veterans Assistance Commissions (VACs) under the Military Veterans Assistance Act (MVAA), reports on The Illinois Office of Comptroller (IOC) assessing fines for all non-compliant local government reports, highlights a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program, makes county officials and staff aware of Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities, shares a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Cemetery Relief Fund Grants, includes information on $4 Million that's available for Tourism Grant Programs, 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 SAVI and invites counties to join ISACo.

Veto Session Dates: October 2025

The Veto Session begins today and is scheduled to be held on October 14-16 and October 28-30. The Veto Session is intended to allow the General Assembly to accept or reject vetoed legislation, but other matters are often considered as well. The following bills were vetoed by Governor Pritzker and may be taken up by the General Assembly during the Veto Session.  

Senate Bill 246: Governor Pritzker vetoed a measure supported by State Treasurer Michael Frerichs that would have allowed the treasurer’s office to create an investment pool for Illinois nonprofits. The Governor expressed concerns about potential unintended consequences, including benefits to “extremist” or “fringe” groups.

House Bill 2682: The Governor issued a technical veto because the measure’s language duplicated a provision already included in the state budget, aiming to prevent confusion.

House Bill 2547: This bill would have required warehouses to provide workers with information on quotas and working conditions. While the Governor supported the bill’s goals, he vetoed it due to concerns that its broad language could lead to additional litigation and fail to achieve the intended protections.

In addition to these bills, lawmakers face a crowded agenda that spans energy costs, insurance reform, public transit funding, and the Chicago Bears’ proposed new stadium. Among the most urgent of issues is the growing financial crisis threatening public transportation across the Chicago region.

Transit agencies such as the CTA, Metra, and Pace are approaching a “fiscal cliff” as federal pandemic relief funds run dry. Without new state revenue, riders could face deep service cuts, layoffs, and fare hikes as early as next year. A bill passed by the Senate last spring proposed creating a new Northern Illinois Transit Authority to replace the current Regional Transportation Authority, along with roughly $1.7 billion in new taxes and fees to stabilize the system. However, the measure stalled in the House amid disagreements over funding, governance, and accountability. Lawmakers and stakeholders agree that reforms must come alongside new investment to ensure more reliable, efficient service across the region and throughout downstate systems. ISACo's Transit Reform Resource Page is available via this link. 

Energy policy is also expected to take center stage. Illinoisans continue to face sharply higher electric bills, driven by regional grid capacity charges and rising demand from data centers. A sweeping energy proposal would expand battery storage, increase renewable generation, and potentially move Illinois toward operating its own electric grid. It also includes measures to modernize energy planning, explore geothermal networks, and lift the state’s moratorium on new nuclear plants. Supporters argue these steps are essential to long-term energy security and affordability, though near-term rate relief remains unlikely. ISACo's summary of the omnibus energy legislation (HB 4116/SB 25) is available via this link.

Meanwhile, insurance costs have spiked following State Farm’s 27 percent hike in homeowners’ premiums. Lawmakers are weighing proposals to establish a rate review process and restrict insurers from passing disaster-related costs from other states to Illinois consumers. Proponents say the reforms would protect residents from unfair or opaque rate hikes, while industry representatives warn that additional regulation could raise overall costs.

The General Assembly is also expected to consider amendments to the Revenue Code to reduce the impact on the state budget from H.R. 1 ("One Big Beautiful Bill Act"). This would involve "decoupling" state provisions from federal provisions to avoid revenue losses.

Finally, the Chicago Bears’ plan to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights may surface again. The team seeks state legislation to authorize long-term property tax agreements for the proposed multibillion-dollar complex. While Chicago-area lawmakers are wary of encouraging the franchise to leave the city, others note potential job creation and economic growth tied to the project. The state has ruled out subsidizing the stadium itself but remains open to supporting related infrastructure improvements. Whether any of these major issues advance this fall may depend less on consensus than on political will in the closing weeks of the legislative calendar.

ISACo will monitor these and other issues and become actively involved with legislation pertinent to counties.

Circuit Court Rules for County in Challenge to VAC Law 

A recent Sangamon County Circuit Court decision portends to clarify the relationship between county boards and Veterans Assistance Commissions (VACs) under the Military Veterans Assistance Act (MVAA). 

The court ruled in favor of Sangamon County, holding that counties are not required to automatically appropriate 0.02% of their assessed property value to a VAC. Instead, VACs must provide a reasoned and well-documented justification of their funding requests, and counties retain the authority to determine whether those requests are just, reasonable, and necessary in accordance with county budgeting and procurement policies.

This ruling reaffirms counties’ fiduciary oversight role and provides helpful legal guidance on how the 2023 MVAA amendments should be interpreted. While the decision is binding only in Sangamon County, it will likely influence how other courts and counties approach VAC funding and policy alignment across the state. 

ISACo has prepared a summary outlining the decision and its implications for county governance. This summary is not intended to provide legal advice and, as always, the ruling should be discussed with your State’s Attorney. Click on the image below to read the summary.

The court decision is available via this link.

ISACo anticipates the decision may be appealed and we will monitor any new developments. 

IOC to Impose Fines for Non-Compliant Reports

The Illinois Office of Comptroller (IOC) has announced that, beginning with State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025, fines will be assessed for all non-compliant local government reports. This includes Annual Financial Reports, Audits, and Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Reports.

To assist local governments in remaining compliant, the IOC’s Local Government Division will issue multiple notices throughout the reporting period to help avoid delinquency. Governments that receive fines will have the opportunity to request abatement upon achieving compliance if good cause is shown.

The IOC has published a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to help local officials understand the new policy and reporting requirements. Click here to access the FAQ.

Safe Routes to School Program
 
IDOT has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (available via this link) for its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. The program supports projects and programs that encourage and facilitate walking, bicycling or other, non-vehicular methods of getting to and from school. Individual awards range from $2,500 to $250,000, and a total of $12 million is available statewide. The deadline to submit an application is Wednesday, October 15, 2025, by 4:30 p.m. CST. More information about SRTS can be found on IDOT’s website (available via this link).

Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities
 
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (available via this link) for its Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities program. IEPA is seeking proposals for projects to construct green infrastructure best management practices that would prevent or reduce storm water runoff in an effort to minimize flooding in Illinois’ rivers, streams and lakes. A total of $5 million in funding has been made available statewide, with individual grants ranging from $75,000 to $2.5 million. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 5, 2025, by 1:00 p.m. CT. More information can be found on IEPA’s website (available via this link).

Cemetery Relief Fund Grants
 
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (available via this link) for Cemetery Relief Fund Grants. The new grant program will award funds to clean up cemeteries that have been abandoned, neglected or are otherwise in need of additional care. A total of nearly $1.5 million is available statewide, with individual grants of $20,000 each. A recorded virtual application training session is available on IDFPR’s YouTube page (available via this link). The deadline to apply for a Cemetery Relief Fund Grant is Friday, October 24, 2025. More information can be found in the press release issued by IDFPR (available via this link) and on IDFPR’s website (available via this link).

More Than $4 Million Available for Tourism Grant Programs

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $4.4 million is available in tourism funding through three grant programs: the Tourism Attraction Grant Program ($1.8 million), the Tourism Private Sector Grant Program ($600,000) and the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program ($2 million). Eligible entities can apply for grants to develop and improve new and existing tourism attractions through the Tourism Attraction Grant Program, grants to support and attract events and festivals through the Tourism Private Sector Grant Program, and grants to promote attractions, destinations, and events through the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program in an effort to boost tourism and welcome more visitors across the state. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.

The press release and information to apply is available via this link. 

What We're Reading

Ex-Speaker Madigan Reports to West Virginia Prison to Begin 7 ½-Year Sentence (CapitolNewsIllinois)

Nursing Schools Struggle to Keep Up With Demand for New Nurses (Governing)

News Outlets Refuse to Sign Pentagon’s New Press Policy as Deadline Looms (TheHill)

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. 

Inside Washington: County Impacts from the White House & Congress

(Thursday, October 16, 2025 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. CT)

Join NACo’s Government Affairs team for week ten of a biweekly series on key developments from the White House and Congress. Discussions will focus on policies and actions that directly impact counties — from federal funding and regulatory changes to intergovernmental partnerships. Tune in for an inside look at how these evolving federal dynamics may shape county priorities, responsibilities and operations.

Click on this link to register for this webinar. 

Community Care: How Counties Leverage Real-Time Technology to Improve Behavioral Health

(Tuesday, October 21, 2025 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. CT)

Counties nationwide face increasing demands to deliver high-quality care while managing limited resources. While providers in behavioral health, physical health and social services focus on the frontlines of meeting community needs, they are too often hindered by fragmented and outdated systems that limit data visibility and slow down care delivery.

In this webinar, we’ll explore how counties can harness real-time, integrated behavioral healthcare insights to empower streamlined care collaboration and improved outcomes for their communities. Attendees will learn practical strategies and see real-world examples of how patient insights delivered directly in workflows during pivotal moments can:

• Improve Patient Outcomes – Ensure individuals receive the most appropriate level of care during pivotal moments by leveraging real-time technology to coordinate services across the continuum.
• Enhance Provider Efficiency – Reduce administrative burden through digital tools, integrated platforms and automated workflows.
• Enable Data-Driven Care – Equip providers with timely insights, shared records and actionable analytics to support better decision-making.
• Strengthen Collaboration – Break down silos by creating secure, unified connections between counties, providers and community-based organizations.

Join us to discover how counties can move beyond challenges and build more seamless and integrated partnerships with providers and community stakeholders to create healthier, more resilient communities.

Click on this link to register for this webinar. 

CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT  

 

Savi

Savi believes that people shouldn't spend their lives buried in student loan debt.

Our Mission

Savi is on a mission to help the middle class prosper by tackling the student debt crisis. We create cutting-edge financial technology that makes it easier to navigate complex decisions. 

Honesty

Savi is honest and transparent- providing clear information on how we work with partners and users and how Savi makes money. 

SAVVY

We are student loan experts -- combining scalable technology with deep student loan knowledge to help our users save time and money. 

IMPACT 

Savi is outcome-driven -- practicing a commitment to service as a Public Benefit Corporation, always going above and beyond in the pursuit of positive impact. 

Please click here to access the Savi Resource Guide that includes the Savi Impact Calculator that estimates the financial impact of implementing Savi for County employees.

Become an ISACo Member! 

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