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This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views E-Newsletter includes a General Assembly schedule update, links to a report on ISACo-tracked legislation approved by House Committees last week, includes several highlighted bills, shares a new episode of ISACo's Counties Count! Podcast discussing a recent adverse court decision regarding solar facility siting, highlights ISACo's work in pursuit of changes to Illinois' wind and solar facility law, reports on the state breaking a film industry expenditure record, provides an update concerning the Illinois Flag Display Act, includes registration information for the 2026 ISACo/UCCI Legislative Conference, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, conveys information about upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Constellation Telecom Inc. and invites counties to join ISACo.

This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views E-Newsletter includes a General Assembly schedule update, links to ISACo's bill tracker, provides an update regarding ISACo's position on provisions within the BUILD ACT, shares testimony provided by ISACo in opposition to legislation restricting county authority to regulate energy backup systems, highlights several bills of interest, reports on the Illinois Appellate Court affirming limitations on county authority over solar projects, includes registration information for the 2026 ISACo/UCCI Legislative Conference, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, conveys information about upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Linebarger Attorneys at Law and invites counties to join ISACo.

This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views E-Newsletter includes a General Assembly schedule update, links to ISACo's bill tracker and 2026 Legislative Agenda, includes news about the status of the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF), reports on the BUILD Act (HB 5626) and the impact the legislation would have on local control, invites county officials and staff to attend the 2026 ISACo/UCCI Legislative Conference, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, conveys information about upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner UnitedHealthcare and invites counties to join ISACo.

This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views E-Newsletter includes a state legislative schedule update, links to an ISACo Policy Brief focusing on new mandates, costs and legal exposure associated with Veterans Assistance Commission legislation, reports on the enactment into law of Cook County tax sale legislation, makes county officials and staff aware that the House Revenue Committee approved a property tax transparency bill and megaproject incentive tool legislation, includes information about draft rules concerning AI discrimination in hiring, recaps a meeting where Illinois county leaders discussed federal issues with Senators Durbin and Duckworth, makes county officials aware of the new Illinois Liquor Control and Compliance Portal, includes registration information for the 2026 ISACo/UCCI Legislative Conference, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, conveys information about upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Public Surplus and invites counties to join ISACo.

This special edition of the Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views E-Newsletter includes a link to an analysis of Governor Pritzker's SFY 2027 Budget proposal. The Governor delivered his State of the State and Budget Address at noon today. The Newsletter also raises concerns about a new housing agenda proposed by the Governor.

As Illinois navigates a shifting federal landscape and cooling revenue growth, the State Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal centers on "common-sense fiscal planning" to protect recent financial gains. This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the $56.0 billion spending plan, highlighting the Governor's core priorities in education, human services, and long-term pension sustainability. The impact of the budget on LGDF and Motor Fuel Taxes is also included. For county leaders, this report also identifies critical opportunities within the $57.4 billion capital budget, including $500 million for downstate infrastructure, while examining the administrative and cost-sharing risks posed by new federal mandates. By bridging state-level fiscal strategy with local operational impacts, this briefing serves as a vital roadmap for navigating the upcoming fiscal cycle.

This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views E-Newsletter includes a legislative schedule and update, informs county officials and staff what counties should watch out for in the Governor's upcoming Budget Address, shares a funding opportunity for projects at wastewater treatment plants, highlights America 250’s Keepsake Illinois Passport that residents and visitors can collect, encourages county officials to attend the February 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference, includes registration information for the 2026 ISACo/UCCI Legislative Conference, invites county officials and staff to contribute an article to ISACo's County Quarterly Newsletter, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, conveys information about upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Public Surplus and invites counties to join ISACo.

Welcome to the first installment of The County Lens by Executive Director Joe McCoy. My goal with this series is simple: to look at what’s happening in Springfield and Washington and translate it into what it actually means for counties on the ground. With Governor JB Pritzker about to deliver his budget address, this piece focuses on what county officials should be listening for, where the real fiscal pressures are building, and how shifts in federal funding, health care policy, and the economy could affect local budgets and services. Counties don’t just live with these decisions—we implement them. The County Lens is about keeping that perspective front and center.

This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views E-newsletter includes a legislative update, advocates for appropriate levels of funding in the next Federal Surface Transportation Bill, shares the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) January 2026 Monthly Briefing, highlights surplus equipment programs, provides an update about the Illinois Liquor Control Commission Portal, announces a statewide e-bike safety initiative, shares information on more than $3 Million for Local Food Infrastructure Grant awards to communities across Illinois, informs county officials and staff of the AARP Community Challenge Grant Program, reports that the Immunization Schedule from American Academy of Pediatrics has been approved by the Illinois Department of Health (IDPH), encourages county officials to attend the February 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference, includes registration information for the 2026 ISACo/UCCI Legislative Conference, invites county officials and staff to contribute an article to ISACo's County Quarterly Newsletter, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, conveys information about upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner PMA-IPRIME and invites counties to join ISACo.

This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views E-newsletter includes a legislative update, shares photos from the 2025 ISACo Annual Luncheon, links to the January 2026 County Quarterly newsletter, encourages county officials to attend the February 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference, includes registration information for the 2026 ISACo/UCCI Legislative Conference, invites county officials and staff to contribute an article to ISACo's County Quarterly Newsletter, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, conveys information about upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Mahoney, Silverman and Cross, LLC. and invites counties to join ISACo.