This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views E-Newsletter reports on a meeting between ISACo and the Illinois State Director for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, shares information about available funding for the Illinois Grocery Initiative, provides an update about Illinois' Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, announces record-breaking milestones for Illinois tourism in 2025, announces applications are now open for the sixth round of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program, makes counties aware of a measles outbreak in Douglas County, links to ISACo's 2026 State Mandates Report, shares articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, conveys information about upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner PMA-IPRIME and invites counties to join ISACo.
USDA State Director for Rural Development Visits ISACo
ISACo was pleased to welcome Jesus Ortega, Illinois State Director for USDA Rural Development, to our Springfield office on September 10.
We appreciated the opportunity to discuss the needs and priorities of Illinois counties, and the important role USDA Rural Development can play in supporting infrastructure, economic development and stronger rural communities across our state.
Governor Pritzker Announces $26 Million for Illinois Grocery Initiative Grant Program
On September 10, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced over $26 million in available grant funding for the Illinois Grocery Initiative. This includes funding for the New Stores ($20.8 million) and Equipment Upgrades Grant Programs ($750,000). Illinois is also launching the new Grocery Rescue Program ($4.5 million), geared toward helping reopen grocery stores that have closed in the last year. Applications are open and grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.
The press release is available via this link.
Illinois EPA Releases Illinois Comprehensive Climate Action Plan
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released the Illinois Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP). The report builds on the state’s Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP), which the agency submitted to U.S. EPA in 2024 as part of the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. The Illinois EPA won a $430 million grant under the CPRG program to implement programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Following broad public outreach, the CCAP provides an actionable roadmap to meet Illinois’ carbon reduction goals. Analysis in the Plan found that Illinois has reduced planet-warming greenhouse gas pollution by 32% since 2005, but more action will be needed to meet the state’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The plan models a set of policies that, if adopted by the General Assembly, would reduce emissions in the state by 72% from 2005 levels by 2050 and finds that implementing these policies would produce $21 billion per year in net benefits by 2050.
The press release is available via this link.
Record-Breaking Milestones for Illinois Tourism in 2025
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced record-breaking growth across Illinois’ tourism industry in 2025. The state welcomed 115 million domestic and international visitors in 2025 – an increase from 2024.
The press release is available via this link.
Applications Open for Next Round of Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced applications are now open for the sixth round of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides training opportunities, expands the talent pipeline, and boosts diversity in the construction industry and building trades. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.
The press release is available via this link.
Measles Outbreak in Douglas County
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is responding to an outbreak of measles in Douglas County, Illinois, involving at least four cases. An outbreak is defined as three or more cases that are connected by a common exposure source or epidemiological link.
The press release is available via this link.
ISACo State Mandates Report for 2026
ISACo published our 2026 State Mandates Report listing new public acts that impose a new requirement or revenue loss on counties. The report is available by clicking on the image below.
State mandate reports for prior years are available on our ISACo Reports page.
What We're Reading
Key Considerations for Data Center Development (Bipartisan Policy Center)
Wyoming Is Bringing Four-Year Degrees Behind Prison Walls (Governing)
Illinois Capitol Renovations ‘a Few Months Behind,’ Set to Wrap Up This Winter (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.
Tech Xchange Q4 Focus Group: Cyber Risk
(Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. CST)
Are Counties Keeping Up with Cyber Risk—or Falling Further Behind?
Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, placing increasing pressure on counties to protect critical systems and sensitive data. While awareness and investment have grown, many counties face ongoing challenges related to funding, staffing, and rapidly changing risks.
This focus group will explore how counties are approaching cybersecurity, prioritizing investments, and strengthening resilience in an increasingly complex threat environment.
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?
ISACo is a statewide association whose mission is to empower county officials to provide excellent service to their residents.
ISACo member counties are comprised of forward-thinking public servants who recognize that the challenges confronting county governments require new and innovative ideas, collaborative solutions and collective advocacy at the state and federal levels of government.
Members of the association will benefit from education and training opportunities, peer-to-peer networking, shared resources and robust representation before policymakers at various levels of government. ISACo creates and connects county officials to these opportunities and successfully equips them to make counties ideal places to live, work and play.
If your county is interested in discussing membership in ISACo, please contact Member Services and Communication Manager Tiffani Homer at (217) 679-3368 or thomer@isacoil.org. ISACo member counties are listed here. Thank you for your consideration.