This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter provides a link for county officials and staff to register for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference that kicks off this week, provides an update on ISACo-tracked bills signed into law by the Governor, includes a link to ISACo's 2024 Bills Approved by Both Chambers report, invites counties to submit legislative proposal ideas for 2025 as well as amendments to ISACo's County Platform, invites county officials and staff to join an ISACo Policy Committee, makes county officials aware of the application period for Local Park Development grants, reports on additional high-risk ZIP codes that were added to the lead testing list, shares information on how to apply to the IHDA (Illinois Housing Development Authority) Access Mortgage program, shares what ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, 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 NACo webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo’s partnership with the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office and invites counties to join ISACo.
2024 NACo Annual Conference & Exposition Kicks Off this Week
(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.
Governor Bill Actions
Governor JB Pritzker has signed several ISACo-tracked bills into law. The bills are linked to below:
HB 4226 (P.A. 103-0597) - Judicial Vacancies
HB 4582 (P.A. 103-0591) - Bonding Authority
HB 4951 (P.A. 103-0592) - Omnibus State Revenue Bill & County Salary Task Force
HB 5166 (P.A. 103-0606) - Elk Grove Fire Protection Dist.
HB 5287 (P.A. 103-0607) - County Cd-Officer Stipends
HB 5507 (P.A. 103-0610) - Birth Certificate Changes
HB 5546 (P.A. 103-0614) - Julie-Positive Response System
SB 2412 (P.A. 103-0586) - Election Issues
SB 2735 (P.A. 103-0618) - Ins-Electronic Payment Fees
SB 2751 (P.A. 103-0621) - Local-Disabled Vet Permit Fee
SB 2778 (P.A. 103-0623) - Sheriff Dept-Veteran Exam
SB 2798 (P.A. 103-0625) - Land Transfer-Monroe, Kane County
SB 2859 (P.A. 103-0631) - Prop Tx-Wastewater
SB 3414 (P.A. 103-0639) - Ins-Continuous Glucose Monitor
SB 3451 (P.A. 103-0640) - Rail Safety Recommendations
SB 3475 (P.A. 103-0642) - Hotel Tx-Deposits
SB 3476 (P.A. 103- 0643) - Use/Occ Tx-Meals
SB 3648 (P.A. 103-0645) - Community EMS Services & Support
Bills of Interest to Counties in 2024
ISACo has published our Bills Approved by Both Chambers: Legislation of Interest to Counties in 2024 report. The report organizes approved bills by category, includes a synopsis and ISACo's position. The report will be updated frequently as the Governor signs legislation into law. Please click on the image for our most updated comprehensive report on bills approved by both chambers of interest to counties.
*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 Accepting Legislative Proposals for 2025 - INPUT REQUESTED!
Does your county have a problem in need of a legislative solution? If so, please e-mail it to Legislative Advocacy and Research Manager Nekya Hall at nhall@isacoil.org. Submitted proposals will be considered within ISACo's committee process. Proposals ultimately approved by the ISACo Board of Directors will be included within our 2025 Illinois County Action Program (ICAP).
Additionally, ISACo will be considering amendments to our County Platform for 2025. Please review the 2024 County Platform and send any suggestions for additions/changes to nhall@isacoil.org. Proposed changes will be considered by the Legislative Committee and Board of Directors.
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.
Application Period for Local Park Development Grants Opens
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will accept applications for the next round of Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants between July 1 through Sept. 13, closing at 5 p.m.
OSLAD is a matching program that provides an advance payment (for development projects only) of 50 percent of the grant award amount shortly after the grant agreement is executed. The local agency must demonstrate and possess the ability to finance the remaining cost of an approved project prior to receipt of remaining grant funds. The program offers state-financed funding assistance to local governmental agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and outdoor recreation areas.
The press release is available via this link.
IDPH Adds Nearly 150 More High-Risk ZIP Codes to Lead Testing List
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced an expanded list of high-risk ZIP codes, increasing mandatory testing for lead exposure of children who live within those areas. Representing parts of 60 Illinois counties, 148 new zip codes have been added to the list this year, bringing the total of high-risk ZIP codes to almost 1,200.
“There is no safe level of lead in the blood,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “To better serve our children and build brighter futures for all of our residents, IDPH is acting to ensure that more children have access to the testing and interventions necessary to decrease the potential serious physical and developmental health concerns linked to lead exposure.”
The press release is available via this link.
Illinois Offering $10,000 To Help Buy a Home
As National Homeownership Month comes to a close, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) wants to remind individuals that free assistance is available to overcome the financial barriers to owning a home. IHDA currently offers up to $10,000 to help individuals, families, veterans, and others realize that the dream of homeownership is achievable and more than within reach.
Launched in 2018, the IHDA Access Mortgage programs are open to both first-time and repeat homebuyers. Available statewide, each mortgage option comes with an affordable, fixed interest rate and up to $10,000 to assist eligible borrowers with their down payment and closing costs for the purchase of a new or existing home. The unique program offers three tiers of assistance, depending on the needs of the homebuyer.
The press release is available via this link.
What We're Reading
State Ends Fiscal Year with Nearly $5B Cash on Hand (Capitol News Illinois)
Here are All the Illinois Athletes Representing Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics (NBC Chicago)
Training, Certification and Digital Tools can Help Prevent Workplace Injuries and Deaths (American City and County)
Pritzker to Meet with Biden, Dem Governors Concerned about President’s Campaign (Capitol News Illinois)
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.
Implementing County Web Accessibility Standards: Overview and Strategy Session
(Wednesday, July 24, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently issued their final guidance to implement technical standards for counties to achieve web-based accessibility for county websites and mobile applications. Join NACo as they hear from the DOJ for an overview of the new guidance, ask questions regarding the guidance, and engage in a county panel to discuss implementation strategies, challenges, and opportunities for counties.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
Powerful Partnerships: How Coal Communities and Utility Companies are Working Together
(Thursday, July 25, 2024, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)
Is your coal community facing a coal-fired power plant closure or transition? Join the BRECC National Network this July and learn how utility providers and local governments are working together to mitigate and respond to economic shocks. This BRECC National Network learning session will feature examples of county and utility partnerships that support energy transitions.
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
(Tuesday, August 6, 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.
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office provides treasury management services for local governments to conduct business safely and efficiently. The Illinois Funds is a $19 billion local government investment pool servicing 1,500 local and state participants, ePAY offers competitively priced payment processing options. The office also offers free cybersecurity training and encryption technologies to our participants.
Click here to learn more about the Illinois State Treasurer's Office.
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.