This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes a link to ISACo's 2024 post-session information webpage, invites county officials and staff to join an ISACo Policy Committee, makes county officials aware of advocates for Statewide Public Defender legislation presenting to ISACo's Justice and Public Safety Policy Committee, highlights the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's (IEPA) 2025 Intended Use Plan, reports on Illinois receiving millions in federal funding on behalf of the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund (EE RLF) Grant Program, shares $5 million in grant funding awarded to recipients for the Back to Business (B2B) Local Chambers program, announces millions available in grant funding for the statewide Get Covered Illinois Navigator Program, shares what ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, provides current CD and Treasury Rates via ISACo corporate partner IPRIME, invites county officials and staff to register for the 2024 NACo Annual Conference & Exposition, congratulates the 2024 Illinois NACo Award winners, makes county officials aware of a Local Officials Appreciation Picnic event that will be hosted by the Illinois State Treasurer's Office during the upcoming 2024 Illinois State Fair, announces upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Public Surplus and invites counties to join ISACo.
ISACo's 2024 Post-Session Information Webpage
ISACo has dedicated a webpage (available via this link) for content associated with the 2024 spring legislative session. Current information includes our End-of-Session Summary Report and Bills Approved by Both Chambers: Legislation of Interest to Counties in 2024 document.
Join ISACo's Policy Committees
ISACo policy committees shape the Association's legislative advocacy efforts. Meetings are held virtually and committees meet four times per year unless committee members desire to meet more frequently. Service on an ISACo Policy Committee is contingent upon the county being a member of ISACo or the applicant being a member of an affiliated association.
Policy Committee opportunities are as follows. Committees with links are already meeting, although there are openings on all policy committees.
Please click on the image below, complete the form and e-mail it to Legislative Advocacy and Research Manager Nekya Hall at nhall@isacoil.org.
Advocates for Statewide Public Defender Legislation Present to ISACo Policy Committee
Representative Dave Vella (D-Rockford) and other proponents of HB 5842 (available via this link) participated in a meeting of ISACo's Justice and Public Safety Policy Committee on June 14. Committee members were informed about the legislation and had the opportunity to ask questions of bill proponents.
Additional resources concerning HB 5842 are available below:
FAIR Act Fact Sheet
Comparison of Current Law vs. FAIR Act
Illinois Public Defender Statistics Webpage
IEPA Releases Draft Intended Use Plan
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) released its draft SFY 2025 Intended Use Plan (available via this link) for the Water Pollution Control Loan Program (WPCLP). WPCLP is designed to provide low interest loans and other forms of assistance for water resource protection and improvement projects. With the release of the draft report, a 21-day public comment period begins, meaning the deadline to submit public comments is Friday, June 21, 2024. Additional information can be found on IEPA’s website (available via this link).
Illinois Awarded Millions in Federal Funding
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been awarded a federal grant totaling $14,963,220 from the United States Department of Energy’s (U.S. DOE) Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund (EE RLF) Grant Program. The federal funding will have a project period from June 1, 2024, through May 31, 2029. The Illinois EPA’s Office of Energy has partnered with the Illinois Finance Authority’s (IFA) Illinois Climate Bank to administer the new EE RLF Program. The IFA will use EE RLF program funding to establish a sustainable energy efficiency revolving loan fund, particularly focused on Equity Investment Eligible Communities and federally designated Disadvantaged Communities. These funds will complement State of Illinois dollars to reduce energy costs in public/non-profit sector buildings by allowing cost-saving projects to go forward where they previously would not have been financially feasible.
The press release is available via this link.
Millions in B2B Grants for Local Chambers Awarded
On June 12, 2024, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) awarded $5 million in grant funding to 151 recipients through the Back to Business (B2B) Local Chambers program. B2B Chambers provides additional support for local chambers of commerce that experienced negative economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. A list of B2B Local Chambers grantees can be found here.
The press release is available via this link.
Millions Available in Grant Funding for Statewide Get Covered Illinois Navigator Program
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the Department of Insurance (IDOI) are announcing a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Get Covered Illinois Navigator Grant Program Plan Year 2025. This $6.5 million initiative will create a statewide Illinois Navigator program as Illinois transitions to a state-based marketplace for health insurance. Get Covered Illinois, the official Illinois Marketplace, will oversee and train Illinois Navigators.
The press release is available via this link.
What We're Reading
Illinois Families to See New Child Tax Credit (KFVS)
Illinois Child Tax Credit: Who gets it, How much is it? (Capitol News Illinois)
Illinois State Treasurer's Office Holding Online Auction for Unclaimed Property this Week (ABC7)
Has Performing Arts Employment in Illinois Recovered from COVID-19? (WBEZ)
Current CD and Treasury Rates Provided by IPRIME
The following rates provided by ISACo corporate partner IPRIME are current as of June 17, 2024. Please click on the image below to review the rates.
2024 NACo Annual Conference & Exposition
(July 12-15, 2024, Hillsborough County, Florida)
The National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference is the premier gathering of elected and appointed officials from the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs. Conference content includes discussion of federal policies impacting counties, workshops lifting up county best practices, engaging general sessions, mobile tours across our host county, and more. NACo members also have the opportunity to influence the association’s direction and future during the Annual Business Meeting on the final day of the conference.
Click on this link to register for the conference.
2024 NACo Achievement Award Winners for Illinois Counties
Since 1970, the NACo Achievement Awards have recognized outstanding county government programs and services. Through a non-competitive application process, noteworthy programs receive awards in 18 categories that cover a vast range of county responsibilities. NACo is pleased to announce the winners for the 2024 Achievement Awards.
Seventy-three awards were announced for Illinois counties. These counties can be filtered on the left side of the page under "Filter by State."
The press release is available via this link.
Local Officials Appreciation Picnic Event at the Illinois State Fair
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is inviting county officials to the Local Officials Appreciation Picnic on August 17, 2024. Please click here to RSVP for this event.
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.
Navigating the Future of Public Finance: 2024 Top 10 Economic Outlook Mid-Year Update
(Monday, June 17, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)
As NACo reach the midpoint of 2024, this webinar will explore the key insights and significant developments that have unfolded in 2024. Explore critical factors such as interest rate movements, the evolving economic landscape, inflation trends, and shifts in the role of cash as an income-generating asset.
NYSAC Executive Director, Stephen Acquario, will join Joe Rulison, CEO of three+one, to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the economic forces shaping the remainder of the year.
Don't miss this opportunity to stay informed and gain valuable insights into the economic trends that will continue to impact County governments in 2024. Register now to secure your spot!
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
NACo Cyberattack Simulation: Supplier Management Access
(Monday, June 17-21, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)
Effective partner management is integral to the operational efficiency of government business, yet it poses inherent cybersecurity risks, especially concerning partner access to sensitive systems and data. This cyber attack simulation focuses on evaluating the vulnerabilities and potential threats associated with supplier access, aiming to enhance understanding and preparedness in mitigating such risks. The simulation leverages reality-based scenarios involving partner access to critical systems, data, and networks within an organizational context. It will encompass diverse situational conditions, including third-party vendor breaches, unauthorized access via partner credentials, and partner-initiated cyber threats. The simulation aims to foster a deeper comprehension of the complexities surrounding partner access risks and to facilitate the development and testing of robust strategies for mitigating these risks effectively.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
What to Know Before You Go to NACo’s Annual Conference
(Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 2:00pm-3:00pm CST)
Join NACo staff to learn ways to maximize your NACo Annual Conference experience and to answer your questions.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
Vote like a Pro at the NACo Annual Business Meeting
(Wednesday, June 26, 2024, 2:00pm-3:00pm CST)
Primary voting delegates participating in the 2024 Annual Business Meeting during NACo’s Annual Conference should join NACo to learn how to cast your votes and what to expect during the business meeting.
Learn more about the credentials process by visiting NACo.org/VotingCredentials or by emailing credentials@naco.org.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
Building a Behavioral Health Continuum of Care: The Role of Rural Leaders and Behavioral Health Directors
(Thursday, June 27, 2024, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)
Counties play a critical role in supporting community members living with behavioral health conditions or experiencing a behavioral health crisis. To build an effective and robust behavioral health system, counties need strong leadership to promote dialogue in the community and implement programs and policies that benefit all residents.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
This week's corporate partner spotlight highlights Public Surplus.
Public Surplus is an online auction platform that offers services to local government agencies. Their system was created with unique capabilities specifically for public agencies, making it much more than an auction site.
ISACo has partnered with Public Surplus to provide large discounts for our county members when it comes to doing online auctions, specifically real estate sales.
Through a partnership with ISACo, Illinois counties are eligible to list items with a reduced buyer's premium, which will encourage competitive bidding on surplus items listed. With Public Surplus, buyers are responsible for all service fees, and it costs counties nothing to use the service.
Public Surplus will also provide a 10 percent rebate to ISACo on each sale so that the Association can continue to offer a high level of service at minimal cost to members.
To foster this new partnership, Public Surplus will be offering a 20-minute webinar to interested individuals to learn more about Public Surplus. Participants will be guided on how to register, or re-register a new account.
More information about the services provided by Public Surplus is available via this link.
*Please note, if you already use a Public Surplus account, you must re-register in order for ISACo to receive a portion of the sale. ISACo thanks you for your support!
Sign up or re-register your Public Surplus Account 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 Member Services and Communication Manager Tiffani Homer at (217) 679-3368 or thomer@isacoil.org. ISACo member counties are listed here. Thank you for your consideration.