This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter discusses ISACo's post-legislative session resources, includes an update on actions taken by the Governor on legislation last week, links to our webpage with extensive information about the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), reports on an upgrade to Illinois' credit rating, announces two funding opportunities for local communities, provides a link for county officials and staff to register for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference being held from July 21-24 in Colorado, announces upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, spotlights ISACo corporate sponsor Wight & Company and invites counties to join ISACo.
2022 Spring Legislative Session Resources
ISACo has created a section on our website to house reports and other information concerning the 2022 spring legislative session. Additional materials will be added as developed. The most recent addition is a narrated slide presentation that provides a general recap of the spring session and highlights issues of interest to counties. This presentation is approximately 9 minutes in length and is intended as a resource for dissemination among county officials/staff and viewing during county board and/or county legislative committee meetings.
Governor Bill Actions
The General Assembly has 30 days to transmit a bill approved by both chambers to the Governor. The Governor has 60 days from that point to review and act on the legislation. The following ISACo tracked bill was signed into law by the Governor last week:
HB 4785 - Cook County Forest Preserve District Levy Date Change (P.A. 102-0716) (Support)
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Illinois is estimated to receive $17.8 billion in transportation funding over five years (2022-2026) as a result of the November 15, 2021, enactment of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Some of these funds will be available through competitive grant programs administered by federal agencies, state agencies and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). Other funds will be sub-allocated from state agencies based upon population and federal formulas. ISACo has a dedicated webpage with resources and information about the IIJA. If your county has a question about transportation funding under the IIJA, please direct the inquiry to info@isacoil.org.
State Receives Credit Rating Upgrade
Fitch Credit Ratings upgraded Illinois’ credit rating two notches last week. This makes Fitch the third rating agency to upgrade Illinois’ credit this year. In the official report, Fitch cited “fundamental improvements in Illinois’ fiscal resilience including full unwinding of pandemic-era and certain pre-pandemic non-recurring fiscal measures, meaningful contributions to reserves and sustained evidence of more normal fiscal decision-making.” Additional information is available via this link.
Local Funding Opportunities Announced
ARISE Grants
The Illinois Department of Public Health is offering up to $3.7 million in grants for communities outside of Cook County to address and implement COVID-19 health equity strategies. The grants are funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Activating Relationships In Illinois for Systemic Equity (ARISE) is intended to support socio-economically disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities outside of Cook County that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Additional information about ARISE grants is available via this link.
Anti-Violence Funding
Community organizations working on violence prevention and interruption are eligible for $113 million in the second round of violence prevention funding. The funds are available in neighborhoods that have experienced concentrated firearm violence, including 42 areas across the state - 26 in Chicago and 16 in the suburbs and downstate. Additional information about this funding opportunity is available via this link.
Registration for NACo Annual Conference
The 2022 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference will be held in Adams County. Colorado from July 21-24. Participants from counties of all sizes come together to shape NACo's federal policy agenda, share proven practices and strengthen knowledge networks to help improve residents’ lives and the efficiency of county government. ISACo and the United Counties Council of Illinois (UCCI) will co-host a dinner for Illinois attendees. Information about this event will be forthcoming. Registration and information about housing is available via this link.
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.
Leveraging ARPA Funds to Prevent Violent Crime
(Wednesday, May 11, 2022, 1:00-2:00pm CDT)
Counties are using resources from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to fund violence prevention and crime reduction programs in their communities. Counties have been using this funding to support community-based organizations and violence interrupters, as well as youth-centered wellness groups and hospital-linked intervention programs. Join NACo for a webinar that will feature a discussion with county leaders on how they have been using ARPA funds to reduce violence and strengthen communities.
Click on this link to register for this event.
Data-Driven Justice Relaunch: Improving Outcomes Through Coordinated Health & Justice Systems
(Thursday, May 12, 2022, 2:00-3:15pm CDT)
Communities across the country are coming together to better support the needs of their familiar faces—individuals with complex health and behavioral health conditions who frequently cycle through jails, homeless shelters, emergency departments and other crisis services. Sharing data across health and justice sectors to align service delivery enables counties and cities to integrate their systems of care and improve outcomes for high-needs residents. Join NACo and our partners for an important event to relaunch the Data-Driven Justice initiative with new tools and learning opportunities to explore how we can better serve familiar faces. Attendees will
- hear from experts and people directly impacted by health and justice systems,
- learn how data-alignment strategies can break the cycle of incarceration and hospitalization and
- receive information on exciting new opportunities to support local efforts.
Data-Driven Justice is supported by Arnold Ventures and led by the National Association of Counties (NACo). Over 150 counties and cities participate in the initiative by developing and implementing cross-system data-sharing efforts.
Click on this link to register for this event.
Corporate Sponsor Spotlight
This week's corporate partner spotlight highlights ISACo's partnership with Wight & Company.
For more than 80 years, Wight & Company has helped clients create exceptional, enduring buildings and spaces that enrich people's lives. Wight also specializes in providing professional services for transportation and infrastructure projects for counties, municipalities, state agencies, and private landowners.
More information about the services by Wight & Company 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.