Welcome to the website of the Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo).

 

ISACo believes people deserve honest, ethical, transparent and innovative government that looks out for their interests and responds to their needs.  

 

We strive to promote these values in our work with Illinois county officials and partners in governance at the federal, state and local levels. 

 

ISACo endeavors to improve county government by identifying needs and solutions. We provide a united voice for counties while recognizing that different regions of the state sometimes have different needs and perspectives. ISACo works to respect and balance these differences while pursuing state and federal policies that benefit counties and their residents generally.

 

Almost eighty percent of Illinois residents are served by ISACo member counties. We invite you to look around the website and learn more about ISACo.

 

You can also utilize ISACo's AI Chatbot for assistance.


Featured News

Lawmakers Examine Data Center Water Use, Transparency Gaps at House Executive Committee Hearing

4/22/2026

Illinois lawmakers continued their review of data center impacts, focusing on water usage, aquifer stress, and transparency gaps. Testimony highlighted tradeoffs between energy and water consumption, uneven groundwater oversight, and the need for clearer statewide standards as hyperscale facilities expand. Click on the title to read the story.

Read more about Lawmakers Examine Data Center Water Use, Transparency Gaps at House Executive Committee Hearing

IDNR Upgrading Campsite Reservation System to Better Serve the Public

4/21/2026

Reservations for campsites and shelters at Illinois state parks and historic sites will transition to an updated platform beginning May 1, offering park users a more user-friendly system for making reservations and securing permits. Users will continue to use exploremoreil.com – the customer service platform of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources – to make campsite and shelter reservations, but they will notice an improved interface.

Read more about IDNR Upgrading Campsite Reservation System to Better Serve the Public

Small Decrease in Payroll Jobs, Slight Increase in Unemployment Rate in February

4/16/2026

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 5.0 percent in February, up +0.1 percentage point from January, and up +0.3 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised January unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.

Read more about Small Decrease in Payroll Jobs, Slight Increase in Unemployment Rate in February
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ISACo News and Views for April 27, 2026

4/27/2026

This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views E-Newsletter includes a General Assembly schedule update, highlights bills approved by the House last week, reports on ISACo testimony in opposition to the BUILD ACT, includes details on a House Executive Committee hearing regarding data center water use and transparency gaps, link to ISACo's latest County Lens article discussing data centers, water usage and governance, shares that more than $2 billion was returned to Illinois residents through Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerich's I-Cash Program, reports on a first-in-the-nation film production Tax Credit, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, conveys information about upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner AT&T and invites counties to join ISACo.

The County Lens: Water, Data Centers, and the Growing Governance Gap

4/22/2026

Water demand is rising across the Great Lakes region, and counties are on the front lines. In this edition of The County Lens, Executive Director Joe McCoy examines how data center growth, groundwater challenges, and fragmented governance are creating new pressures on local infrastructure and decision-making.

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