This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter offers an update on the second week of the Fall Veto Session, provides the General Assembly's 2022 spring session schedule, announces upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) webinar opportunities, spotlights ISACo corporate partner Nationwide and invites counties to join ISACo.
Veto Session Update
The General Assembly convened for the second week of the Fall Veto Session (October 26-28) and the following legislation of interest to counties was approved (updated with Public Act numbers on November 28).
Omnibus Election Trailer Bill
SB 536 (President Harmon, D-Oak Park/Rep. Stuart, D-Edwardsville) is a trailer bill to P.A. 102-0015 which is the omnibus election bill enacted into law over the summer. The trailer bill makes several corrections to problems found within P.A. 102-0015 and includes some new provisions.
The bill directs county boards other than Cook County to increase the number of voters within each precinct to 1,200 within 60 days of the effective date of the bill (Cook County may increase precincts to 1,800 registered voters), increases polling place access for the disabled, provides that county boards shall complete their reapportionment plans by December 31, 2021, provides that commissioners of a forest preserve district in DuPage County shall be elected from districts as determined by the board of commissioners, makes clarifications about voting centers, voting by mail and drop box ballot collections and provides that the boundaries of subcircuits in certain judicial circuits shall be redrawn in 2022 (currently 2021). The bill was approved by both chambers and will next be considered by the Governor.
Update: Signed into law as P.A. 102-0668 with an effective date of November 15, 2021.
ISACo has prepared a Policy Brief with more information about the provisions within the bill that are of relevance to counties.
Congressional Redistricting
HB 1291 (Rep. Hernandez, D-Cicero/President Harmon, D-Oak Park) includes the new congressional map. The map can be viewed via this link. The bill was approved by both chambers and will next be considered by the Governor.
Update: Signed into law as P.A. 102-0670 with an effective date of November 23, 2021.
Health Care Right of Conscience Act
SB 1169 (President Harmon, D-Oak Park/Rep. Gabel, D-Evanston) is intended to prevent the Health Care Right of Conscience Act from being used to forestall certain COVID-19 prevention methods and requirements. The bill will next be considered by the Governor.
Update: Signed into law as P.A. 102-0667 with an effective date of June 1, 2022.
Gaming Legislation
HB 3136 (Rep. Rita, D-Blue Island/Sen. Cunningham, D-Beverly) is a gaming omnibus bill with multiple provisions. Of interest to counties is a provision that allows non-home rule units of government to increase video gaming fees up to $250 per terminal (currently $25). The bill will next be considered by the Governor.
Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act
HB 1769 (Rep. Vella, D-Loves Park/Sen. Stadelman, D-Rockford) is an omnibus electric vehicle legislation known as the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act. The legislation provides for financial incentives and tax credits to eligible manufacturers of electric vehicles, electric vehicle component parts and electric vehicle power supply equipment. The bill will next be considered by the Governor.
Update: Signed into law as P.A. 102-0669 with an effective date of November 16, 2021.
General Assembly 2022 Schedule
The House and Senate have released their calendars for 2022. Both chambers will adjourn by April 8, 2022. While this will conclude the spring session almost two months early, the number of scheduled session days is more than the number of session days actually held (not scheduled and eventually cancelled) during most recent years. The respective calendars can be viewed below:
House Calendar
Senate Calendar
Upcoming NACo Webinars
NACo has announced the following upcoming webinar opportunities:
Latest on the Delta Variant and Using ARPA Funds to Respond
(Tuesday, November 2, 2021, 2:00pm-3:00pm CST)
Featuring Dr. Deborah Birx
As public health officials track the surge of the Delta variant, counties are also poised to take steps to reduce transmission and protect our communities. NACo will be joined by Dr. Deborah Birx, the former White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, who will share an update on COVID-19 and best practices to lower community outbreaks. This session will also include information on how counties can use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to address the public health emergency.
Click on this link to register for this event.
Tech Xchange Membership Working for You
(Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 10:00am-11:00am CST)
Come hear about all of the benefits that the NACo Tech Xchange membership provides for local government IT leaders. You will learn of new features in the discussion group offering as well as how to navigate the Tech Xchange portal of resources. From job description templates to technology policy templates, the portal offers a variety of documents as well as tool kits to assist with the development of a top-rate IT department. You will also have the opportunity to offer new ideas where NACo can enhance the Tech Xchange program. Your voice matters!
Click on this link to register for this event.
Digitally Transforming Public Safety & Justice
(Thursday, November 4, 2021, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)
Counties are on the front lines of providing justice and public safety services, from policing to courts to jails. In this space, county leaders are constantly facing data overload, budget uncertainties, increased public expectations, lack of transparency, a pressure to close more cases and disclose evidence faster, a need to do more with less. To address these challenges, county departments, from sheriffs to prosecutor’s offices are now turning to NICE for digital transformation. Register to attend this timely webinar to learn how digital transformation can help your justice and public safety departments accelerate investigations, streamline evidence disclosure, enhance digital collaboration with justice partners, remove racial bias from the investigation process and work more efficiently.
Click on this link to register for this event.
Corporate Partner Spotlight
This week's corporate partner spotlight highlights ISACo's partnership with Nationwide.
Over the past 85 years, focusing on customers and valuing people have helped Nationwide become one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in the world.
Even though Nationwide has dozens of affiliated companies, people are its biggest resource – and its greatest asset in providing excellent customer service to its customers. That's why its Supply Management Services group makes sure agents and associates get the best quality products and services, at the best possible cost. It's also why Nationwide has an Office of Customer Advocacy.
More information about the services provided by Nationwide is available via this link.
Click on this link to learn more about the benefits and opportunities available through ISACo's Corporate Partner Program.
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 Executive Director Joe McCoy at (217) 679-3368 or jmccoy@isacoil.org. ISACo member counties are listed here. Thank you for your consideration.