This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes links to several ISACo-tracked bills scheduled for committee hearings this week, links to ISACo's March 2024 County Quarterly Newsletter, requests that counties contact their members of Congress to support the federal Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024, reminds counties about the April 30 reporting deadline for ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, shares information about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Ports Program, reports on the respiratory virus levels in the state, shares what ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, provides current CD and Treasury Rates via ISACo corporate partner IPRIME, announces upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Nationwide and invites counties to join ISACo.

List of Tracked Bills in Committee

The following ISACo-tracked bills for which we have a position are posted for possible committee hearings this week. In some cases, initial ISACo positions may be changed in the future. A complete list of ISACo tracked bills is available via this link.

HB 1389 - Obstruct Justice-Body Cameras (Support)

HB 2099 - Food Truck Freedom Act (Oppose)

HB 2470 - Low-Income Broadband Program (Support)

HB 3306 - Local Zoning-Manufactured Home (Oppose)

HB 3763 - Personnel Record Review (Oppose)

HB 3777 - Crim Cd-First Responder (Support)

HB 3791 - Concealed Carry-Forest Preserve (Support)

HB 4037 - Counties Cd-Solar & Wind Energy (Support)

HB 4182 - Construction Safe Detour Act (Support)

HB 4213 - Local-Accessory Dwelling Units (Oppose)

HB 4347 - Blockchain/BIPA-Prohibitions (Oppose)

HB 4418 - Government Contract Retainage (Oppose)

HB 4529 - Notice of Police Misconduct (Support)

HB 4569 - Coroners-Forensic Pathologists (Support)

HB 4602 - One Day of Rest-Various (Oppose)

HB 4612 - Counties Code-Wind Facilities (Support)

HB 4752 - EPA-Lead Pipe-Timeline Extension (Support)

HB 4753 - Case Review-Homicide Victims (Oppose)

HB 4792 - Closed-Loop Well Setbacks (Oppose)

HB 4815 - IEMA-OHS-Grant Programs (Support)

HB 4839 - Illinois Native Landscapes Act (Oppose)

HB 4860 - Vehicle Sale/Use & Emissions (Oppose)

HB 4873 - Pen Cd-Various (Oppose)

HB 4946 - Counties & Muni Codes-Littering (Support)

HB 5053 - Veh Cd-Street Racing/Sideshows (Support)

HB 5119 - Street Lights-Led Lighting (Oppose)

HB 5138 - IDOT-Studies-Local Governments (Support)

HB 5164 - Name Change-Pub Changes-Fees (Oppose)

HB 5171 - Public-Private Partner-Notices (Support)

HB 5211 - Pen Cd-Tier 2 Benefits (Oppose)

HB 5233 - Veh Cd-Weight Limit Exemption (Oppose)

HB 5255 - Fleeing-Attempt Elude Officer (Support)

HB 5277 - Transit-To-Trails Program (Support)

HB 5297 - Resilient Illinois Loan Fund (Support)

HB 5300 - Wage Payment-Pay Stubs (Oppose)

HB 5314 - Local Crime-Free Housing Ord (Oppose)

HB 5422 - IDOT-Construction Projects (Support)

HB 5432 - Crime-Free Housing Ordinances (Oppose)

HB 5435 - Veh Cd-Noise Monitoring (Oppose)

HB 5436 - Freedom To Ride Act (Support)

HB 5516 - Prop Tx-Taxing Dist Notice (Support)

HB 5564 - Homeless Prevention Assistance (Support)

HB 5574 - Hwy Cd-Impact Fee-Repeal (Support)

HB 5600 - County Automated Weight Control (Support)

HB 5623 - Loc Gov Efficiency Committee (Support)

HB 5624 - Open Meetings Act-Exceptions (Support)

HR 0501 - Recognizes-McHenry County (Support)

*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.

ISACo County Quarterly for March 2024

ISACo's March County Quarterly Newsletter is available by clicking on the image below. It will soon be arriving via standard mail to subscribers.

The March edition includes a message about ISACo activities and policy committees from Executive Director Joe McCoy, a list of NACo Interim Policy Resolutions sponsored by Illinois County Officials and staff, an interview with NACo Immediate Past President Denise Winfrey, an update about NACo's 2024 Legislative Conference and the Illinois Counties Dinner event and an article about the Governor's combined State of the State and Budget Address. 

Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which was enacted into law under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) in 2021 and provides financial support of $30 a month for low-income households to acquire and retain high-speed internet services, is on the brink of exhausting its current federal funding. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that the ACP will offer its final full month of benefits to over 23 million enrolled households in April 2024, and in May 2024 will only be able to provide a partial credit on internet services before fully exhausting funding.

ISACo is working with NACo to advocate for passage of additional appropriations for the ACP, and requesting that counties contact their representatives in Congress to support the call for passage of The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 (H.R. 6929/S. 3565). This bill would provide a one-time appropriation to prevent the lapse of the ACP and ensure that 23 million households do not lose this critical resource.

NACo has prepared a letter (available here) that can be customized and used by counties for this important advocacy. 

ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund – April 30 Reporting Deadline

On April 30, 2024, annual Project and Expenditure (P&E) Reports are due to the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) for all counties, parishes and boroughs that received American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). These required, periodic reports provide Treasury with financial and current performance information on projects using Recovery Funds.

To assist counties, parishes and boroughs, NACo put together a list of FAQs, videos and resources that thoroughly explain the Treasury reporting portal and process for reporting obligations, expenditures and projects. Please direct any questions to jmccoy@isacoil.org. 

Clean Ports Program

On March 26, 2024, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) issued a Call for Partners for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Clean Ports Program.

The U.S. EPA has announced two separate Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) to disburse $3 billion through the Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition and the Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition.

Illinois EPA is seeking interest from qualified and eligible public and private organizations interested in partnering with Illinois EPA on Clean Ports Program efforts. Parties that are interested in partnering on a planning and/or deployment application should respond to Illinois EPA with the information requested in the Call for Partners document. Illinois EPA will evaluate the proposals through a committee comprised of officials from Illinois EPA and other state agencies. Any applicants selected to move forward to the federal application phase of this process will be involved in Illinois EPA’s application process.

The press release is available via this link.

Respiratory Virus Levels Low

Illinois’ overall respiratory virus level has dropped to low in recent weeks and all counties in Illinois are now at low level for COVID-19 hospitalizations for the first time since October, Center for Disease Control (CDC) data indicates as of the week ending March 23. The total number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Illinois declined 20 percent during the same week according to the CDC COVID Data Tracker.

The press release is available via this link. 

What We're Reading

Illinois Teacher Shortage Persists, Survey Finds (Capitol News Illinois) 

Cook County Courts Have Seen ‘Mostly Smooth’ Transition After Elimination of Cash Bail, New Report Finds (WTTW)

State Law Enforcement Board Asks for Funding to Implement SAFE-T Act Training, Add More Instructors (WAND)

Winnebago County Moves Forward in Response to Possible Migrant Arrivals (WREX)

Current CD and Treasury Rates Provided by IPRIME

The following rates provided by ISACo corporate partner IPRIME are current as of April 1, 2024. Please click on the image below to review the rates. 

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. 

What’s In It For Rural? Analyzing The Opportunities for Rural America in IIJA, CHIPS, and IRA

(Monday, April 8, 2024, 12:30pm-1:30pm CST)

Join NACo for a briefing on the findings from the newly published Brookings Institution report, What’s in it for rural? Analyzing the opportunities for rural America in IIJA, CHIPS, and IRA.

This new publication reviews all the provisions in the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to catalogue those that are exclusively for rural places; those that stipulate rural preferences; and those that will have disproportionate relevance to rural places, identifying $464 billion worth of opportunities for rural community and economic development appropriated in the laws.

This webinar will provide insights from that analysis, which will include an examination of some of the key parameters and requirements that rural counties will have to navigate to access these resources. Presenters will also provide an orientation to the downloadable data posted alongside the report.

Click on this link to register for the webinar. 

Advancing Crisis Communications: Highlighting Models of 911/988 Collaboration

(Thursday, April 11, 2024, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)

Counties are leading the development, modernization and infrastructure of local crisis response systems as communities’ mental and behavioral health needs continue to grow. One critical strategy is implementing the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in coordination with existing 911 emergency response systems. This webinar will highlight models of 988/911 collaboration, including recommendations for planning and implementation. Panelists will discuss progress, challenges and lessons learned from advancing their communities’ crisis response systems.

Hosted by the National Association of Counties (NACo) in partnership with RAND and The Pew Charitable Trusts, this presentation will include representatives featured in NACo’s and RAND’s respective publications on 988/911 collaboration. This event is a follow-up to NACo’s Shaping Crisis Response Spotlight Series briefs.

Click on this link to register for the webinar 

Counties Securing the Nation’s Elections: Handling The Rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence

(Monday, April 15, 2024, 12:00pm-1:30pm CST)

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems have catapulted the use of advanced computer technologies within society at unprecedented scale. This new presence of generative AI has already presented a new set of challenges for county election administrators as we begin this 2024 election year. During this tabletop webinar, NACo members will hear from experts on these new challenges and how counties can be proactive in addressing them this election cycle and beyond. Speakers and webinar attendees will also have the opportunity to engage in a discussion on how AI can be of benefit to county election officials, especially smaller, often rural, election offices.

Click on this link to register for the webinar. 

Counties and the Inflation Reduction Act: Elective Pay Update

(Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 2:00pm-3:00pm CST)

On March 5, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) issued final regulations for the elective pay mechanism established in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Using elective pay, also known as direct pay, counties and other tax-exempt entities can monetize certain clean energy tax credits that they have previously been unable to access due to their lack of tax liability. On March 5, Treasury also unveiled a new proposed rule to provide criteria regarding the eligibility of certain ownership structures to claim elective pay. During this webinar, counties will hear from Treasury and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on these new regulations and other funding opportunities available under IRA.

Click on this link to register for the webinar. 

Global Connections for Your Local Economy Virtual Training #2: Crash Course on the Site Selection

(Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)

Ever wonder why multinational companies invest billions in some counties, but pass by others? Or what makes the difference between a successful business interaction which results in hundreds or thousands of new jobs, and one that falls flat? If you’re ready to take your county’s economic development to the next level, join the International Economic Development Task Force throughout this Spring for a special virtual training series on how to bring jobs and capital to your community through foreign investment. In this second training, we will receive an overview of the site selection process and discuss key characteristics for which multinational companies look throughout this process.

Click on this link to register for the webinar. 

CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT 

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Click here to learn more about Nationwide.

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