This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes information about the final scheduled week of session, a request that county officials contact their state legislators immediately to urge support for an increase in Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) payments to counties, lists ISACo-tracked bills that advanced during the week of May 8-12, links to a report with newly filed amendments pertinent to counties, includes an announcement about the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, provides a reminder to register for the upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference in Travis County, Texas, highlights ISACo corporate partner Nationwide and invites counties to join ISACo.
Final Scheduled Session Week
The General Assembly begins its final session week today ahead of its scheduled May 19 adjournment date. Both chambers will be holding final votes on legislation approved by the other chamber while making last minute changes to some legislation. Several bills have received extended deadlines to retain their viability. The State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024 state budget bills will emerge this week as legislators continue to consider adjustments in light of the latest revenue estimates and unexpected spending pressures, including but not limited to rising costs associated with a program providing Medicaid services for non-citizens.
There is no current indication that the General Assembly will need to tack on additional session days to complete its work for the spring. That said, additional days are always a possibility.
Contact Your Legislators to Urge an Increase in LGDF Revenue!
As previously reported, ISACo is part of a coalition with municipal associations seeking an increase in distributions from the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF). This is the share of State Income Tax revenue distributed to counties and municipalities based on population.
An LGDF increase would most likely occur within the SFY2024 state budget. ISACo requests that county officials contact their state legislators immediately to urge their support for an increase.
Additional information and resources about LGDF are available below:
Coalition Website (Learn more about LGDF and share content on your county’s social media platforms.)
Coalition Fact Sheet
ISACo Policy Brief
Please direct any questions about LGDF to info@isacoil.org.
Bills Approved by Both Chambers
The following ISACo tracked bills* were approved by both chambers last week and will next be considered by the Governor:
HB 1153 - Counties-Office of Auditor (No Position)
HB 1384 - Insurance-Reconstructive Surgeries (No Position)
HB 1434 - Juvenile Court-Hospital and Agency Records (No Position)
HB 1635 - Land Transfer-Lake County (Support)
HB 1727 - Counties Code-Bid Exemption (Support)
HB 1740 - Conservation Opportunity Area (No Position)
HB 2033 - Local Government Bond Ordinances (No Position)
HB 2102 - Health Care Worker Background (No Position)
HB 2224 - RUUPA-Local Government and State Agency Moneys (No Position)
HB 2619 - Nursing Home-Transfer Notice (No Position)
HB 2622 - Downstate Forest Preserve-Fund (No Position)
HB 2624 - Court Document Accessibility (No Position)
HB 2776 - EPA-Lead Pipe Replacement (No Position)
HB 2788 - EPA-Compliance Agreements (No Position)
HB 2800 - Quick Take-Menard/McHenry Counties (Support)
HB 2861 - Juvenile Court-Residential Treatment (No Position)
HB 2972 - Rescue Squad Districts-Fees (No Position)
HB 3202 - Insurance-Cancer Test (No Position)
HB 3230 - Behavioral Health Crisis Care (Support)
HB 3322 - Gang Databases-Use-Evidence (No Position)
HB 3755 - Code of Corrections-Transfer to Sheriff (Support)
HB 3809 - Insurance-Impaired Children (No Position)
HB 3819 - Local Deflection Programs (Support)
HB 3890 - Hospital License-Notify Rights (No Position)
HB 3955 - Hospitals-ER Copayment (No Position)
HB 3406 - Vehicle Code-Emergency Police Vehicles (Support)
SB 849 - Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Infrastructure and Policy (No Position)
SB 855 - Residential Facility Safety and Support Act (No Position)
SB 1344 - Insurance Coverage-Aboritfacients/Hormone/HIV (No Position)
SB 1804 - EPA-Refrigerant (No Position)
SB 1824 - IMRF-Various (No Position)
SB 1924 - School Code and Pension Code-Superintendents (No Position)
SB 2013 - IHDA-Housing Quality Standards (No Position)
SB 2037 - Community Land Trust (No Position)
SB 2195 - Insurance-Prosthetic Device Coverage (No Position)
SB 2226 - Conservation Opportunity Area (No Position)
SB 2278 - Vehicle Code-Truck Max Height/Weight (No Position)
Bills Approved by the House or Senate
The following ISACo tracked bills were approved by the full House or Senate during the week of May 8-12 and await consideration by the opposite chamber:
Passed House
HB 218 - Litigation Against Firearm Industry (No Position)
HB 2518 - Use/Occupation Tax-Aircraft (Oppose)
SB 836 - Paint Stewardship Act (Support)
SB 1476 - Affordable Housing Plans (No Position)
SB 1497 - Nursing Homes-Resident Consent (No Position)
SB 1499 - Companion Animal-Forfeiture (Support)
SB 1670 - FOIA-Medical Records (Support)
SB 2034 - Child Extended Bereavement (No Position)
SB 2197 - Code of Corrections-DJJ Ombudsman-County Juvenile (No Position)
SB 2227 - Counties Code-Recorders (No Position)
Passed Senate
HB 475 - Community Mental Health Act (No Position)
HB 1131 - Southwestern Illinois Development Authority Act (No Position)
HB 2039 - Access to Public Health Data (Support)
HB 2443 - Insurance-Hearing Aid Coverage (No Position)
HB 2500 - Animal Adoption-Fee Waiver (No Position)
HB 3129 - Equal Pay Act-Scale (No Position)
HB 3230 - Behavioral Health Crisis Care (Support)
HB 3516 - Employee Organ Donation-Leave (No Position)
HB 3819 - Local Deflection Programs (Support)
HB 3940 - Emergency Telephone Systems (Support)
SB 851 - Broadband Advisory Council Act (No Position)
SB 895 - Infrastructure Maintenance County Boundaries (No Position)
SB 1769 - Government Zero Emission Vehicles (No Position)
Amendments Filed Last Week
A list of amendments filed for ISACo tracked bills during the week of May 8-12 is available via this link. In some cases, an amendment includes provisions that, if adopted, make the legislation an ISACo-tracked bill.
*An ISACo tracked bill includes bills that directly or tangentially impact county finances and operations, bills that may be of interest to county officials for the performance of their duties and legislation presented "for your information." ISACo positions of "support" or "oppose" are usually reserved for bills that directly or tangentially impact county finances and operations. ISACo also supports member county initiatives that are consistent with ISACo's County Platform.
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Expires
Thursday, May 11, was the final day that the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) remained in effect. Governor Pritzker declared that May 11, 2023, will be known as "Illinois Public Health and Healthcare Hero Day."
The Governor aligned the conclusion of the state's disaster proclamation with the conclusion of the federal government's COVID-19 public health emergency, to ensure enhanced federal benefits in SNAP and Medicaid remained in place for vulnerable families for as long as possible.
The Governor issued the initial emergency proclamation on March 9, 2020, as the state and nation were bracing for an unprecedented global public health emergency. The pandemic went on to last more than three years, causing more than 4 million COVID-19 cases and 36,000 deaths in Illinois. COVID-19 will remain with us, but with case rates remaining at low levels in recent months, including last week's announcement that no Illinois counties are at an elevated community level for COVID-19, the tools provided by the PHE are no longer necessary to fight the virus.
Additional information is available via this link.
On a personal note, we at ISACo extend our condolences to those who lost friends and loved ones during the global pandemic. It was a difficult time for everyone, including county officials and employees doing their best to navigate through fear and uncertainty while delivering critical public services to residents.
The pandemic response only deepened our appreciation for the front-line emergency responders and health care professionals who served the public despite the risks to their own well-being. We are grateful for their dedication, service and sacrifice.
Registration for NACo Annual Conference
The 2023 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference will be held in Travis County, Texas 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. Join other Illinois county officials and staff members in Travis County for learning and relationship building! Registration and information about housing for conference attendees is available via this link.
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.