This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views E-Newsletter reports on the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on mail-in ballots, shares information about how federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) changes will impact Illinois, provides an update on the federal farm bill, links to ISACo's most recent Counties Count! Podcast discussing how recent news stories about AI might affect how counties think about data centers, conveys the state's employment rate for August, shares articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, includes information about upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Public Surplus and invites counties to join ISACo.
Supreme Court Mail Ballot Ruling Provides Clarity for Illinois Election Officials
The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked new federal mail ballot requirements from taking effect ahead of the November 3 general election, allowing Illinois county election officials to continue preparations under existing procedures. Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon, Governor JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul welcomed the decision, which avoids significant changes to ballot mail procedures just weeks before Election Day.
Additional information is available via this link.
Federal Changes Reshape SNAP Program in Illinois
Significant federal changes are reshaping the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Illinois. Expanded work requirements are already in effect, while increased state administrative costs and future benefit-sharing requirements could create substantial new fiscal pressures. ISACo examines the current status of SNAP, Illinois’ response and what these changes could mean for counties and the communities they serve.
Additional information is available via this link.
Senate Committee Advances Federal Farm Bill with Key County Priorities
On September 16, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee advanced its version of the 2026 Farm Bill, including provisions affecting rural infrastructure, water and wastewater systems, health care, childcare, broadband, conservation and access to USDA assistance. ISACo highlights key provisions of interest to Illinois counties as the legislation moves forward in Congress.
Additional information is available via this link.
Counties Count! Podcast: AI is Changing Fast. What Does That Mean for Data Centers and Counties?
As artificial intelligence companies invest billions in new computing capacity, data center development is accelerating across Illinois and the nation. But recent calls from AI industry leaders for more cautious and deliberate development raise questions about the long-term assumptions driving that growth. In this episode of Counties Count! Podcast, ISACo Executive Director Joe McCoy discusses what county officials should consider when evaluating data center projects—including infrastructure costs, electricity and water demands, financial risk, technological change and the importance of preserving local decision-making authority.
Employment Rates for August
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in August, down -0.2 percentage point from July, and up +0.4 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised July unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.
Total nonfarm payrolls decreased over-the-month in August, down -4,400 (-0.1%) to 6,175,600. The July monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +11,700 to +15,300. The August payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
The press release is available via this link.
What We're Reading
Rockford Solar Project Hits 1-Year Milestone, Almost $200K in Energy Savings (WIFR)
Can Startups Help Fix Rural Healthcare? States Are Betting on It. (Governing)
‘Huge Step Forward’: Illinois Inches Closer on Battery Storage, Solar Goals (CapitolNewsIllinois)
States’ Uprising Against Prediction Markets (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.
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
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?
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.