This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views E-Newsletter, includes a General Assembly schedule update, makes county officials and staff aware of the Senate-approved Artificial Intelligence package, highlights recently-filed amendments of interest to counties, shares ISACo Executive Director Joe McCoy's statement expressing concerns about the wind and solar siting law, celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the United States, reports the state's employment rates for April, shares information on expansion of supportive housing across the state, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, conveys information about upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Public Surplus, and invites counties to join ISACo.

General Assembly Schedule

The House and Senate are scheduled to be in session each day through May 31. 

Senate Approves AI Package

On May 21, the Illinois Senate approved a broad artificial intelligence safety and privacy package aimed at establishing new consumer protections, transparency requirements and guardrails around the growing use of AI technologies. Senate leaders described the legislation as a proactive effort to address emerging concerns related to data privacy, mental health, housing, education and consumer protection while allowing innovation to continue responsibly. The measures now head to the Illinois House for further consideration. The bills may not be taken up in the House prior to the adjournment of the spring legislative session and could possibly be considered during the fall veto session. 

Several proposals in the package focus on oversight and consumer safeguards. Senate Bill 315 would require large AI developers to submit annual third-party safety reports, disclose risk mitigation measures and report serious safety incidents within specified timelines. Senate Bill 316 would require AI companies to implement safeguards for users expressing suicidal ideation or self-harm and direct users to crisis support services such as the 9-8-8 hotline. SB 317 would require businesses using AI chat systems to clearly disclose when consumers are interacting with an automated system rather than a human representative and while SB 340 would strengthen consumer data privacy protections and limit the sale and use of sensitive personal data.

Additional measures target housing, education and ticket sales. Senate Bill 343 would prohibit landlords from using shared AI-driven pricing software that could facilitate coordinated rent increases. Senate Bill 415 would limit the use of biometric data by school districts to legitimate instructional purposes, and SB 416 would prohibit teachers from using AI to assign grades on student work. Senate Bill 318 would strengthen protections against the use of bots in ticket sales and prohibit deceptive resale practices in the concert and sports ticket marketplace.

ISACo previously published a County Lens article about the Senate AI package. That article is available via this link. 

Key Amendments Recently Filed

Housing Amendments Preempting Local Authority 

Several Senate floor amendments were filed late last week addressing housing development, zoning and local permitting requirements. Each amendment is currently in the Senate Assignments Committee.

Senate Floor Amendment 1 to SB 635 (Senator Feigenholtz, D-Chicago) creates the Faith-Based Housing and Mixed-Use By-Right Act, which would require local governments to allow multifamily and mixed-use developments as by-right uses on faith-based property. The amendment prohibits local governments from requiring discretionary approvals for qualifying developments and limits local authority to applying generally applicable, objective health and safety standards. The proposal also limits home rule authority. ISACo Opposes

Senate Floor Amendment 1 to SB 640 (Senator Hunter, D-Chicago) would make significant zoning and density changes affecting counties and municipalities. The amendment limits minimum lot size requirements for detached single-family homes and establishes statewide requirements allowing increased residential density on lots based on parcel size, including up to six dwelling units on certain residential lots. The proposal also requires local governments to allow certain conversions of existing residential structures into “middle housing” types and restricts local governments from imposing standards on middle housing that are more restrictive than those applied to detached single-family homes. The amendment further limits local parking mandates and discretionary review processes and contains a home rule preemption. ISACo Opposes

Senate Floor Amendment 1 to SB 643 (Senator Ellman, D-Naperville) establishes mandatory timelines for local government plan reviews and inspections for residential, mixed-use and commercial developments. Counties and municipalities would be required to complete initial plan reviews within 30 business days. If a local government fails to meet the required review or inspection deadlines, applicants could hire qualified third-party reviewers or inspectors, whose determinations the local government would generally be required to accept if applicable code requirements are met. The amendment also prohibits local governments from charging review or inspection fees for work completed by third-party reviewers or inspectors and limits home rule authority. ISACo Opposes

Data Center Construction and Siting Authority

Senate Amendment 1 to SB 1050 (Senator Hills, R-Barrington Hills) would expressly authorize counties and municipalities to establish local standards governing the construction and siting of data centers through local ordinance. The amendment specifically allows counties to regulate data centers in unincorporated areas outside a municipality’s zoning jurisdiction and outside the 1.5-mile zoning boundary surrounding municipalities. Counties would be permitted to adopt standards related to the size, height and design of data center structures, as well as limits on the concentration or number of facilities within a geographic area. The proposal also includes notice and public hearing requirements before siting decisions are made. The proposal also preserves existing county zoning ordinances related to data centers adopted before the bill’s effective date. The amendment was assigned to the Senate Executive Committee. ISACo Supports

FOIA Vexatious Litigant Limitations 

Several House amendments have been filed to Senate Bill 2715 (Representative Didech, D-Buffalo Grove), which makes a variety of changes to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). House Floor Amendment 2 would exempt from disclosure information submitted through school safety helplines, including communications made through phone lines, websites, social media or text-based reporting systems. House Floor Amendment 3 would exempt written communications and attachments between educational institutions and students or parents, except where disclosure rights exist under the Illinois School Student Records Act or the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). House Floor Amendment 6 relocates existing exemptions related to records created or compiled by State public defender agencies, while House Floor Amendment 4 exempts certain investigative materials gathered by the Attorney General or State’s Attorneys under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Additional amendments focus on limiting abusive FOIA litigation. House Floor Amendment 5 establishes a process allowing public bodies to seek a court determination that a plaintiff is a “vexatious litigant,” potentially requiring the posting of security to cover attorney fees and permitting courts to restrict future filings. House Floor Amendment 8 further expands the definition of a vexatious litigant to include individuals who have filed FOIA lawsuits against 10 or more public bodies within the preceding 12 months. The amendment would require courts to declare a plaintiff a vexatious litigant if the statutory definition is met and require security sufficient to cover both current and anticipated attorney fees and costs. It also extends certain procedural timelines from 10 business days to 15 business days.

House Floor Amendment 7 further clarifies that exemptions for communications between educational institutions and students or parents do not limit a requester’s ability to access records under the Illinois School Student Records Act or FERPA.

Amendment 5 has been assigned to the House Executive Committee. Amendment 8 is presently in the House Rules Committee. ISACo Supports Amendments 5 and 8 concerning vexatious litigants. 

ISACo Executive Director Joe McCoy Issues Statement About Wind and Solar Siting Law

On May 22, Executive Director Joe McCoy issued a statement expressing concerns with Illinois' wind and solar siting law following approval of a 6,100-acre solar farm in Will County. The statement is available via this link. 

Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States

The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, also known as the America250 Commission, is leading a nationwide effort to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. This Commission was established by Congress to plan events, programs, and other initiatives that honor our nation’s history while inspiring civic engagement in the future. More information can be found at america250.org.

The Illinois America250 Commission is leading statewide efforts to ensure communities throughout Illinois are actively involved in celebrating the state’s contributions to the nation’s history. Through historical programs, community gatherings and civic projects, the Illinois America250 Commission encourages local governments, schools, libraries and community organizations to participate in the celebration of the 250th anniversary. More information about statewide programs, including a toolkit to assist with promoting programs and events, can be found at IL250.org.

The Illinois Municipal League developed a model resolution and graciously permitted ISACo to customize it and share it for consideration by county boards. The resolution is available via this link and can be adopted to affirm your county's commitment to this historic event.

To assist in planning, the Illinois America250 webpage (available via this link) provides information on how your county can become an Illinois America250 community. Individuals with questions or who wish to confirm their county's participation may contact the Illinois America250 Commission by email at IL250@ilhumanities.org.

The Illinois State Association of Counties looks forward to honoring our nation’s history and invites all Counties to participate in this historic celebration.

Employment Rates for April

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced that the unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in April, unchanged from March, and up +0.6 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised March unemployment rate was 5.1 percent.

The press release is available via this link. 

Expansion of Permanent Supportive Housing Across Illinois 

In an effort to reduce homelessness and expand access to stable housing, on May 19 the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced $50 million in state and federal funding to support six new permanent supportive housing developments across Illinois. The investments will create 142 units of affordable housing paired with on-site services for individuals and families living with disabilities, experiencing homelessness, or at risk of housing instability.

The press release is available via this link. 

What We're Reading

“Electrons instead of ethanol” Major Solar Development Proposed for Farmland near New Berlin (Illinois Times)

America’s Pothole Problem Reflects a Bigger Funding Crisis (Governing)

Illinois County Clerks are Preparing for Mail Voting Amid Continued Attacks, Changes (CapitolNewsIllinois)

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. 

Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. CST

How do county leaders move from theory to transformative action? This webinar features a panel of graduates from the NACo High Performance Leadership Academy who will share real-world examples of the program's 5 essential skills.

Attendees will gain actionable insights on how to apply these high-performance strategies to their own organizations. Whether you are an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, join us to discover how to bridge the gap between leadership potential and measurable impact.

Registration is available via this link. 

The BUILD America 250 Act: What Counties Need to Know about the House Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. CST

Last week, Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) introduced the BUILD America 250 Act, a comprehensive bill that would reauthorize federal surface transportation programs. This bill includes several high-profile county priorities, including record investments in locally owned bridges. Join NACo staff to learn more about what's in the bill, what didn't make it and what comes next.

Registration is available via this link. 

Grassroots Advocacy Series: Unlocking Tools to Tell Your County Story

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. CST

Join us for the first webinar in NACo’s new Grassroots Advocacy Series, developed in response to County Pulse survey feedback and the creation of NACo’s grassroots advocacy role. This session will highlight how county leaders can leverage NACo tools and resources to effectively engage in federal advocacy. Attendees will receive a practical overview of existing platforms and features that support outreach and engagement, with guidance on how to use these tools to elevate county priorities at the federal level.

Registration is available via this link. 

CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT     

Public Surplus is an online auction platform that offers services to local government agencies. Their system was created with unique capabilities specifically for public agencies, making it much more than an auction site.

ISACo has partnered with Public Surplus to provide large discounts for our county members when it comes to doing online auctions, specifically real estate sales.

Through a partnership with ISACo, Illinois counties are eligible to list items with a reduced buyer's premium, which will encourage competitive bidding on surplus items listed. With Public Surplus, buyers are responsible for all service fees, and it costs counties nothing to use the service.

Public Surplus will also provide a 10% rebate to ISACo on each sale so that the Association can continue to offer a high level of service at minimal cost to members.

To visit the Public Surplus website, click here. 

To register an account with Public Surplus, click here.

  Become an ISACo Member! 

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