ISACo News and Views for July 29, 2024

7/29/2024 Nekya Hall

This week’s Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes ISACo's July County Quarterly, provides an update on recent actions taken by the Governor on legislation of interest to counties, includes a link to ISACo's 2024: Bills Approved by Both Chambers document, provides an update on recent ISACo Policy Committee activities and invites county officials and staff to join an ISACo Policy Committee, makes county officials aware of lead service lines being replaced in several Illinois communities, shares information on Affordable Housing Tax Credit financing going to 10 Illinois counties, announces upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Mahoney, Silverman and Cross, LLC and invites counties to join ISACo.

July County Quarterly 

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

The July edition includes an update from Executive Director Joe McCoy, pictures and quotes from our 2024 County Lobby Day, a spring legislative session summary, an update on new ISACo corporate partners and a call for county officials and staff to join an ISACo Policy Committee. 

Governor Bill Actions

Governor JB Pritzker has signed several ISACo-tracked bills into law. The bills are linked to below:

HB 5084 (P.A. 103-0688) - DHS-Pub Aid Eligibility Review

HB 5085 (P.A. 103-0689) - EMS Act Training & Curriculum

HB 5095 (P.A. 103-0691) - Nursing Home-Discharge

HB 5128 (P.A. 103-0693) - EMS Telephone-Board Members

HB 5138 (P.A. 103-0694) - IDOT-Studies-Local Governments

HB 5258 (P.A. 103-0700) - Ins-Dependent Parent Coverage

HB 5282 (P.A. 103-0701) - Ins Cd-Miscarriage/Stillbirth

HB 5295 (P.A. 103-0703) - Ins-Hormone Therapy-Menopause

HB 5370 (P.A. 103-0711) - Veh Cd-Emergency/Construction

HB 5459 (P.A. 103-0716) - Util-Water Usage Data

HB 5465 (P.A. 103-0717) - Juv Rec-Hum Trafficking Victim

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 Policy Committee Update

Environment, Energy and Land Use Committee Discusses Recycling Program and Local Climate Change Mitigation Goals 

During its meeting on July 25, ISACo's Environment, Energy and Land Use Committee heard a presentation from Catherine Chertudi about the Hefty Bag Renew Program. This program provides a means to collect otherwise hard-to-recycle plastics at curbside and uses them as valued resources. These hard-to-recycle plastics include common items like candy wrappers and foam takeout containers.

The program demonstrates its ability to help divert these resources away from landfills, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, increase efficiency at recycling facilities and improve the quality of other recycled materials. 

The program exists is in several states/localities and has now come to Lake County, Illinois.

Following the presentation, the Committee heard a presentation from Committee Member Mavis Bates of the Kane County Board. Board Member Bates discussed Kane County's Climate Action Implementation Plan, which was adopted by the County Board on June 11, 2024.

The Kane County plan recommends actions across eight categories with the goal of reducing the county's greenhouse gas emissions. The goal of the plan it to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 25 percent below 2019 levels by 2030 and full carbon neutrality by 2050. It should be noted that 2050 is also the date established by the State of Illinois for carbon neutrality following enactment of the Climate Change and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). CEJA was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker on September 15, 2021, as P.A. 102-0662.

Committee members were also provided an updated written report on the status of legislation of interest to counties pertaining to environmental issues. 

Justice and Public Safety Committee Discusses SAFE-T Act, Criminal Offender Reform Program

On July 26, ISACo's Justice and Public Safety Committee heard a presentation from DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick about a unique and comprehensive program in the County for persons with serious gang affiliations or drug addictions that leave them chronically involved with the criminal justice system. 

The Committee was also privileged to be joined by DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin who shared data about the County's experience with petitions to detain individuals under the SAFE-T Act and how Illinois' law compares the the 2017 law that eliminated cash bail in New Jersey.

Committee members were also provided an updated written report on the status of legislation of interest to counties pertaining to law enforcement and public safety issues. 

Finally, the Committee discussed three federal initiatives seeking to permit heavier trucks on interstates and roadways.

Interested in increasing your knowledge, sharing information and helping shape public policy that affects counties and their residents? Please consider participating on an ISACo Policy Committee!

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.

IDOR Quarterly Newsletter for July

The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) Local Tax Allocation Division published its July 2024 Quarterly Newsletter (available via this link). Included within the newsletter is information is a link to training materials for local officials, State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025 Personal Property Replacement Tax Estimates, information about the grocery tax legislation and other legislative changes concerning revenue issues.

Illinois Communities to Have Lead Service Lines Replaced

On July 26, 2024, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Interim Director James Jennings announced $43,159,886 in funding that is being provided to 17 individual communities to replace lead service lines during the last quarter of State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024. The funding is provided through the Illinois EPA's State Revolving Fund (SRF), which provides low-interest loan funding for drinking water, wastewater  and stormwater projects. The funding for each of these awards is being provided in the form of principal forgiveness, so none of the communities will not have to repay any of the funds awarded.

The press release is available via this link.

IEPA also announced $32,427,103 in funding that was approved for six individual communities within Cook, Kane, Lake and Winnebago Counties to replace lead service lines during the last quarter of State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024.

That press release is available via this link.

Affordable Housing Financing Recipients Announced

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board announced awards totaling $23.8 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) that will finance the creation and preservation of 16 affordable housing developments in 10 counties throughout Illinois. Once completed, the developments will offer 792 affordable units for low- to moderate-income families, seniors and persons with special needs.

The list of recipients and press release is available via this link.

What We're Reading

There Are No Easy Fixes for Declining Statehouse Coverage (Governing) 

Unlocking the Potential of Artificial Intelligence for America's Infrastructure (American City and County)

Speeding is Tied to 55 Percent of Crash Deaths in Illinois. So Why Does it Persist? (Daily Herald)

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. 

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.

Prevention to Treatment: Substance Use Disorder Solution Strategies

(Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)

Three industry experts from across the public and private sectors will explore the landscape of substance use disorder solutions, with emphasis on prevention and treatment. From a prevention perspective, we'll delve into the shift in policy and focus, examining where prevention activities are currently taking place. From the treatment perspective, we'll explore how to adopt a clinical framework that supports sustained recovery, particularly through digital pathways. Our discussion will cover what's available, what's currently working, differences in approach, and potential strategies for various populations including the underserved population.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

Transforming Justice Through Collaboration

(Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 1:30pm-2:30pm CST)

In this webinar, representatives from two counties will discuss how they leverage cross-system partnerships to address the root causes that lead to justice involvement. Hamilton County’s Juvenile Court will share its collaboration with behavioral health experts and the community to assess youth eligibility for diversion and community-based services, aiming to reduce youth entry into the juvenile justice system. Summit County’s Connect program will discuss the partnership between the Municipal Court of Akron and the Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board, designed to identify justice-involved individuals with developmental disabilities or mental health conditions and redirect them to receive personalized support plans.

This webinar is part of the County, Court, and Justice Leaders: A Framework for Cross-System Collaboration initiative and is hosted in partnership with Rulo Strategies and Praxis Consulting with funding from the State Justice Institute (SJI).

Click on this link to register for the webinar.  

CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT 

The law firm of Mahoney, Silverman and Cross, LLC strives to provide superior legal representation with the objective of exceeding our clients’ expectations. Each member of our firm is committed to utilizing critical analysis and innovative approaches to achieve timely resolutions with the best possible results for our clients.

More information about Mahoney, Silverman and Cross 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 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.