This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views E-Newsletter includes litigation updates concerning solar siting authority and funding for Veterans Assistance Commissions (VAC), encourages counties to participate in Operation Green Light for Veterans, includes a link to ISACo's 2026 Veto Session Resource Page, shares the Illinois Department of Revenue's (IDOR) October Local Government Newsletter, conveys articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, includes information about upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Constellation Telecom and invites counties to join ISACo.
Illinois Supreme Court Sets Stage to Resolve Solar Siting Split
The Illinois Supreme Court will review a case that could significantly clarify the scope of county authority over commercial solar siting. The appeal in Tate Road Solar 1, LLC v. County of Winnebago follows conflicting appellate court decisions over whether counties retain discretion to deny or impose additional requirements on solar projects that meet statewide siting standards. The Court’s eventual ruling could have major implications for county zoning authority, renewable energy development and potentially the siting of battery energy storage facilities across Illinois.
Additional information is available via this link.
Appellate Court Issues Decision Regarding County Board and Veterans Assistance Commission Funding Authority
A recent Illinois Appellate Court decision provides important guidance concerning the funding responsibilities of county boards and the authority of Veterans Assistance Commissions (VACs). In a dispute involving Sangamon County, the Fourth District distinguished between funding for direct veterans assistance and VAC administrative expenses, concluding that the statutory 0.02 percent minimum funding provision applies to direct assistance rather than administrative operations. The court also determined that VACs, rather than county boards, have oversight over the disbursement of funds once appropriated. ISACo has prepared an analysis explaining the decision, its implications for county budgeting and oversight, and the extent to which the ruling establishes precedent throughout Illinois.
The analysis is available via this link.
Operation Green Light for Veterans
The National Association of Counties (NACo) and ISACo are inviting counties across the nation to participate in Operation Green Light for Veterans, November 4–11, 2026. Counties can show their support for veterans and their families by illuminating county buildings in green and encouraging residents and local businesses to do the same. NACo has developed a comprehensive toolkit with resolution templates, sample press releases, social media materials and other resources to help counties participate and raise awareness of the services and benefits available to veterans.
Additional information is available via this link.
Veto Session Resource Page
ISACo’s 2026 Veto Session Resource Page is available to help county officials prepare for the Illinois General Assembly’s return to Springfield on November 17–19 and December 1–3. The page highlights proposals that could affect county authority, operations and finances, including the POWER Act and BUILD Act, with particular attention to mandates and preemptions of local government authority.
County officials are encouraged to bookmark the page and check back regularly for bill information, ISACo analyses, policy briefs and legislative updates. ISACo will continue adding resources as proposals evolve and additional issues emerge before and during the Veto Session.
IDOR Local Government Newsletter for October
The Illinois Department of Revenue’s (IDOR) October 2026 Local Tax Allocation Division newsletter provides several updates of interest to counties and other local governments. Topics include the release of Fiscal Year 2027 Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPRT) estimates for approximately 6,500 local taxing districts; requirements and procedures for submitting certified tax ordinances to IDOR, including use of the MyLocalTax portal; and changes to how certain local tax revenues are reported following enactment of Public Act 104-0463. The newsletter also explains how cannabis, grocery and other local sales tax revenues will be displayed on IDOR disbursement reports and notes plans to eventually separate disbursements by tax type. Local officials can also find information about IDOR’s email and text subscription service for receiving future tax allocation updates.
What We're Reading
School District Consolidation Was Supposed to Save Money. It Didn’t. (Governing)
US Farm Debt is at a Record. Official Data Might be Undercounting it (Reuters)
The Rising Cost of Water (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.
NACo Public Promise Procurement Launches New Amazon Business Contract
Thursday, October 22, 2026, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. CST
Learn how your county can access over 300 million products and hundreds of thousands of third-party sellers through this new, nationally solicited Amazon Business contract, featuring fixed-term price ceilings across eight categories to keep your everyday purchasing compliant and cost-effective.
This contract works alongside your county's existing Amazon Prime membership, not in place of it, and activates through your current Amazon Business account executive; no new relationships required. You'll also get tools to customize how your county spends, including the ability to prioritize local and in-state businesses.
Hear directly from Douglas County, Neb., the Lead Public Agency behind this solicitation, on how the contract came together and learn how NACo's member-governed, peer-reviewed process gives your county confidence in every purchase.
Register for this webinar via this link.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties
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
Constellation Telecom
Constellation Telecom is comprised of business telecom leaders who bring over 100 years of combined experience and knowledge – and no ties to any telecom provider or agency.
Constellation Telecom is able to obtain vendor quotes from hundreds of vendors for Phone Service, Phone Systems, both on Premises and also Cloud based, as well for Internet circuits, Cabling and IT support. The company will offer special pricing to ISACo members that will result in cost savings for participating counties.
Additional information about Constellation Telecom is available via this link.
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.