This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter announces the extension of the statewide disaster declaration and re-issuance of Executive Orders (EO), provides a reminder about the beginning of the Fall Veto Session this week, includes information about a newly-released map of Illinois Congressional Districts, provides a Policy Brief explaining how a new ethics law affects local officials, reports on ISACo member counties attending the National Association of Counties (NACo) Western Interstate Region Conference, announces upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, spotlights ISACo corporate partner United Health Care (UHC) and invites counties to join ISACo.

Governor Pritzker Extends Statewide Disaster Declaration and Re-Issues Executive Orders

On October 15, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker issued another statewide Disaster Proclamation (linked here) extending the Statewide Declaration through November 13.

He also signed Executive Order (EO) 2021-27 (linked here), thereby extending previous executive orders. This latest  

Veto Session Begins This Week

The House and Senate are scheduled to convene for the Fall Veto Session from October 19-21. Both chambers are scheduled to convene for an additional three days next week from October 26-28. It remains possible the General Assembly will cancel some of these days. ISACo will monitor legislative activity and advocate on county issues as necessary.

Congressional Districts Map Draft Released

The Illinois House and Senate Redistricting Committees have released a proposed map for Illinois Congressional Districts. The map is available via this link. 

The following hearings for discussion about the maps have been scheduled for this week:

House Hearing: Wednesday, October 20 at 9:00 a.m. at the Illinois State Capitol, Room 114

Senate Hearing: Wednesday, October 20 at 2 p.m. at the Illinois State Capitol, Room 212 (Virtual Hearing – participants may testify at the hearing location or via Zoom)

Additional hearing information will be announced as dates and locations are finalized. These will be hybrid hearings with the opportunity for in-person and virtual testimony. Those wishing to provide testimony, submit electronic testimony or submit electronic witness slips can do so in advance of the hearing via the General Assembly website www.ilga.gov or through email at redistrictingcommittee@hds.ilga.gov and redistrictingcommittee@senatedem.ilga.gov.

The General Assembly is expected to vote on new congressional boundaries by the end of the scheduled Fall Veto Session.

Ethics Legislation Becomes Law

On October 8, 2021, Governor Pritzker certified changes made to an ethics bill he had previously modified using his Amendatory Veto authority. The General Assembly accepted his changes and the new law is P.A. 102-0664 (available via this link). Provisions within the bill affect local officials. ISACo has prepared a Policy Brief with additional information about the law. Click on the image to read the Policy Brief.

Additional ISACo Policy Briefs and Fact Sheets are available on our website via this link.

ISACo Member Counties Attend NACo Western Interstate Region Conference 

ISACo member counties were represented at the 2021 National Association of Counties (NACo) Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference in Utah.

(L to R) Kendall County Circuit Clerk/ISACo Vice President Matthew Prochaska, Will County Board Member/NACo First Vice President/ISACo Board Member Denise Winfrey and Tazewell County Board Chairman David Zimmerman.

The WIR Conference brings together county officials from across the nation to focus on pressing issues facing counties and their residents.

Upcoming NACo Webinars

NACo has announced the following upcoming webinar opportunities:

Growing County Economies with Stronger Child Care Systems

(Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 1:00-2:00pm CST)

Accessible, affordable child care is essential for a strong workforce and thriving local economy. Improving and expanding early learning facilities – the physical spaces where children learn, play and grow – can increase access to high-quality child care and enable parents to participate in the labor force. Join NACo and the National Children’s Facilities Network to learn how counties can include early learning infrastructure investments in broader economic development efforts.

Click on this link to register for this event.

Is Cyber Insurance Coverage Holding Local Government Ransom?

(Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 1:00-2:00pm CST)

Rising cyber liability insurance premiums and fewer insurance carriers have left counties facing difficulty acquiring and renewing coverage. Join the National Association of Counties (NACo) and industry experts from Risk Strategies, Inc., Eckert Seamans, and county elected officials for a discussion on the evolving cyber liability insurance landscape and trends across the country. Topics include:

• The benefits of cyber liability insurance acquisition and renewal
• Major insurance carriers’ new requirements
• How local government can determine proper coverage and control insurance costs

Click on this link to register for this event.

Corporate Partner Spotlight

 

UnitedHealthcare Medicare and Retirement, an operating unit of UnitedHealth Group, is dedicated to providing innovative health and well-being solutions that help Medicare beneficiaries live healthier and more secure lives.

With 12 million members enrolled in individual plans and nearly 1.5 million in employer-sponsored group plans (Retiree Solutions), UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement is the largest business dedicated to the health and well-being needs of seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries. UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement manages a full array of products and services including Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplement plans, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, employer retiree health services and programs designed to support chronic condition management and care coordination. Many of our products carry the AARP name.

Our products, services, and programs are designed to meet the individual needs of our members as well as their families, physicians, and communities.

The portfolio of UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement products includes:

Medicare Advantage Plans

UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement is the nation’s largest Medicare Advantage insurance plan, serving more than 4.9 million members through a variety of plans and services.

Medicare Part D Plans

UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement is the nation’s largest Medicare Part D prescription drug insurer, serving more than 9 million members throughout the United States and its territories. Our Medicare Part D plans cover thousands of brand-name and generic prescription drugs that are most commonly used by people on Medicare, delivering savings, stability and peace of mind to our customers.

AARP Medicare Supplement

UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement operates the nation’s largest Medicare supplement business, serving more than 4.5 million members. Medicare supplement insurance plans are sold by private insurance companies to fill gaps in Medicare Parts A and B coverage. There are multiple plans available, giving members the ability to choose a plan which best fits their needs and the freedom to go to any doctor or hospital that participates in Medicare. Generally, with a Medicare supplement plan, there are limited out-of-pocket costs, so members have more predictable health care expenses.

Retiree Solutions

UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement leverages cost-effective health care delivery systems and superior networks to provide optimal health outcomes and cost savings for employers and their retirees. Group plans include Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement and Medicare Part D. We also offer a Connector Model solution for employers looking to transition their members from traditional group-sponsored plans to individual retiree products.

Additional information about the UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage (MA) PPO health insurance plan is available here.

Become an ISACo Member!