This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views E-newsletter includes a legislative update, advocates for appropriate levels of funding in the next Federal Surface Transportation Bill, shares the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) January 2026 Monthly Briefing, highlights surplus equipment programs, provides an update about the Illinois Liquor Control Commission Portal, announces a statewide e-bike safety initiative, shares information on more than $3 Million for Local Food Infrastructure Grant awards to communities across Illinois, informs county officials and staff of the AARP Community Challenge Grant Program, reports that the Immunization Schedule from American Academy of Pediatrics has been approved by the Illinois Department of Health (IDPH), encourages county officials to attend the February 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference, includes registration information for the 2026 ISACo/UCCI Legislative Conference, invites county officials and staff to contribute an article to ISACo's County Quarterly Newsletter, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, conveys information about upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner PMA-IPRIME and invites counties to join ISACo.

Legislative Update

Schedule

The Illinois House and Senate do not convene this week. Both chambers will convene on February 17.

Looking ahead, upcoming events at the Capitol include the Governor’s Budget Address and State of the State Address, scheduled for February 18.

The deadline for filing House and Senate bills was February 6.

Linked below, you will find the House and Senate calendars.

House Calendar

Senate Calendar

ISACo Tracked Bills

ISACo is currently reviewing introduced legislation and populating our bill-tracking service (available via this link) with legislation that affects or is of interest to counties.

2026 Legislative Agenda

ISACo's 2026 Legislative Agenda is available via this link.

Counties Push for Fair Share in Next Federal Surface Transportation Bill

Congress is beginning work on the next federal surface transportation bill, and the decisions made in Washington will have major consequences for Illinois counties. As policymakers consider shifting away from discretionary grants and toward more state-controlled formula funding, counties risk losing access to critical infrastructure dollars unless the system is fixed. This article outlines why counties are pushing for a fairer share, what changes are needed, and how ISACo and NACo are working to ensure counties aren’t left behind.

Additional information is available via this link. 

COGFA January 2026 Monthly Revenue Briefing

What does the latest state revenue data mean for counties? The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) January 2026 Monthly Briefing digs into the numbers, spotlighting a surge in estate tax collections, uneven General Funds performance, declines in federal revenue payments, and the real-world impact of the state’s recent tax amnesty program. With fresh economic indicators and revenue trends that could shape budget decisions in the months ahead, this report offers county leaders a snapshot of where Illinois finances may be headed, and what to watch as FY 2026 unfolds.

Additional information is available via this link. 

Surplus Equipment Programs

The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has issued its January 2026 Surplus Equipment Control Newsletter (linked here), outlining current equipment offerings and updates across the State of Illinois Surplus Program, the federal GSA Surplus Program, and the Law Enforcement Support Office program. Eligible public agencies, nonprofits, and qualified small businesses can now browse available surplus items online, ranging from general equipment to vehicles and electronics, with inventory subject to change and participation dependent on program approval. Additional details and access information are available on the CMS website (linked here).

Illinois Liquor Control Commission Portal Update

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) announced a blackout period beginning Wednesday, February 11, 2026, as it transitions to the new Illinois Liquor Control and Compliance Portal. All ILCC licensing activity will cease at 5:00 p.m. CST on February 11, after which no applications, renewals, payments, compliance documents, special event applications, emailed submissions, or in-person filings will be accepted; the last day for in-person appointments is Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Licensees and applicants must complete all business in MyTax Illinois by the deadline, as any incomplete or rejected submissions during the downtime will need to be resubmitted in the new ILCC Portal once it goes live. More information, including FAQs and preparation steps, can be found on ILCC’s website (available via this link).

Statewide E-Bike Safety Initiative Announced

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced a new statewide electric bicycle (e-bike) safety initiative, Ride Safe. Ride Smart. Ride Ready., aimed at improving safety for pedestrians, riders, and drivers as the use of e-bikes and other micromobility devices increases across Illinois. The initiative focuses on public education, enhanced driver training, and the development of updated safety policies to address gaps in existing law and reduce serious injuries and fatalities on Illinois roadways. Additional information is available via this link.

A press release from the Secretary of State's Office is available via this link. 

IDOA Announces $3.6 Million for Local Food Infrastructure Grants

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced it will distribute $3.6 million in State Fiscal Year 2026 grant funding to support local food processing, aggregation and distribution infrastructure across Illinois. The Local Food Infrastructure Grant program will offer awards ranging from $1,000 to $250,000 for collaborative projects and $1,000 to $75,000 for individual projects, with eligible applicants including farms, food businesses, cooperatives, nonprofits and units of local government. Applications will be available beginning Wednesday, February 18, 2026, on IDOA’s website (available via this link).

A press release from the IDOA is available via this link.
 
AARP Community Challenge Grant Program

The AARP Community Challenge grant program is now open and offers funding for quick-action projects that improve community livability and support long-term change. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and government entities. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST. Funding opportunities include Flagship Grants of up to $15,000, Capacity-Building Microgrants of $2,500 with technical support and Demonstration Grants generally ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. More information can be found on AARP’s website (available via this link).

Immunization Schedule from the American Academy of Pediatrics Approved

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) endorsed the recommendation of the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee (IL-IAC), formally adopting the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) 2026 Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for Illinois. The recently released schedule, which is based on rigorous scientific review and analysis, has been endorsed by a dozen major national medical associations.

The press release is available via this link.

Upcoming NACo Legislative Conference

The NACo Legislative Conference brings together nearly 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that impact counties and our residents. The conference will be held in Washington, D.C. from February 21-24, 2026. Registration information is available via this link. 

ISACo has set up a joint meeting with Senator Dick Durbin and Senator Tammy Duckworth for Tuesday, February 24. An invitation has and will be sent to current and future conference registrants from Illinois. ISACo is pleased to organize opportunities for county officials to advocate with members of our congressional delegation about county issues. 

2026 ISACo/UCCI Legislative Conference Registration

For the third consecutive year, ISACo and our friends at the United Counties Council of Illinois (UCCI) will hold a legislative conference for county officials and staff on April 14-15, 2026. ISACo members are invited to attend the April 14 events that will include a breakfast buffet and legislative briefing at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and an evening legislative reception at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. State officials will also be invited to attend the reception. Activities on April 15 are reserved for UCCI members. Registration information and additional details are available via this link.

Call for Articles: Share Your County’s Story in ISACo’s County Quarterly Newsletter

ISACo invites county officials and staff to contribute articles for upcoming editions of our County Quarterly Newsletter. This publication is strengthened by the insights, innovations, and real-world experiences shared by counties across Illinois—and we’d love to feature your work.

Whether you want to highlight a successful initiative, reflect on a policy issue, share best practices, or showcase a community partnership making a difference, your perspective helps inform and inspire colleagues statewide.

If you’re interested in submitting, please take a moment to review our publication guidelines available via this link.

We look forward to featuring your county’s accomplishments and ideas in a future issue!

If you need help shaping an idea or want to talk through a potential topic, feel free to reach out—we’re always glad to collaborate.

What We're Reading

New Requirements for SNAP Benefits Go into Effect Sunday. What Does This Mean for SNAP Benefit Recipients? (WGN9)

Illinois Becomes First State to Recognize 'Rewilding' Wetland Protection (Governing)

Illinois Advances in Bid to Move Up 2028 Democratic Presidential Primary Date, but Hurdles Remain (Chicago Tribune)

States Where Household Income Has Grown the Most (Governing)

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. 

Pre-Proposal Conference - RFP #26-6969 Government Consulting Services

(Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. CST)

Counties are invited to notify their consulting services suppliers, and both are invited to register for and attend a pre-proposal conference for a pre-proposal conference for RFP 26-6969: an innovative collaboration between Cobb County, Ga. and NACo Public Promise Procurement. Get key insights, ask questions, and prepare to submit a strong proposal.

Cobb County, GA (the “Lead Public Agency”), on behalf of Public Promise Procurement, the members of the Advisory Council and all local and state government agencies, higher education and nonprofit entities that elect to access the Master Agreement, is soliciting proposals to enter into a Master Agreement for Government Consulting Services. The resulting contract may be awarded to multiple suppliers. The RFP is subject to the Lead Public Agency’s general conditions & instructions to bidders. Proposals are due no later than 2:00 PM EST on March 12, 2026. Additional information can be found at https://www.cobbcounty.gov/procurement-services/bidding-opportunities.

Register for this webinar via this link. 

NACo Public Health Leadership Academy Application Information Session

(Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. CST)

The National Association of Counties (NACo), in partnership with the de Beaumont Foundation, is launching its inaugural Public Health Leadership Academy (PHLA) to strengthen county leadership in advancing public health. This webinar will review the key information applicants should know to apply to the PHLA and provide an opportunity for applicants to ask questions.

To view more details about the Academy and review the application, visit NACo’s Public Health Leadership Initiative webpage.

Register for this webinar via this link. 

NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties

(Thursday, February 12, 2026, 2:30 p.m - 3 p.m. CST)

Last year's Inside Washington series is now NACo Policy Insider, a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties, as well as deeper dives into specific policy areas, equipping county leaders with insights, context, and strategies to engage effectively on key issues from transportation and infrastructure, to public lands, to health and human services, and more.

Register for this webinar via this link. 

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.

Click here to visit their website.

Become an ISACo Member! 

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