This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes the upcoming veto session schedule, links to the Illinois Department of Revenue News and Updates for October, shares information about a new online licensing system offered by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), highlights a supplemental notice of funding opportunity through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS), provides an update about the Get Covered Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment and release rates for 2025, shares what ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, announces upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Nationwide and invites counties to join ISACo.
Veto Session Dates: November 2024
The veto session is scheduled for November 12-14 and November 19-21. It remains uncertain if some of these days may be canceled this year. The veto session is intended to allow the General Assembly to accept or reject vetoed legislation. While there are no vetos to be considered in 2024, it's common for the General Assembly to use the days to discuss and vote on other legislation as well.
Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) News and Updates for October
The IDOR Newsletter is available via this link. the Newsletter includes the following content:
- FY Bulletin 2025-04, Retailers' Discount for Certain Tax Returns Capped at $1,000 Per Month
- FY Bulletin 2025-08, Summary of Municipal Motor Fuel Tax Rate Changes, Effective January 1, 2025
New Online Licensing System Announced for Easier Accessibility
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announced on October 30 the launch of the Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment (CORE), its new online licensing system, for the first set of IDFPR-licensed professionals. The new online process eliminates the need for paper applications, gives applicants more control over their application materials and helps prevent deficient applications from being submitted. In addition to creating a streamlined online application process, CORE features a simplified review process for all license applications received by IDFPR.
The press is available via this link.
Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity Available
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) was notified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on October 28 of two grant opportunities for non-profit organizations across Illinois. Available funding for these two grant opportunities for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Nonprofit Security Grant Program National Security Supplemental (NSGP-NSS) is $210 million nationally.
The press release is available via this link.
Open Enrollment for the Get Covered Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace and Releases Rates for the 2025 Plan Year Announced
November 1, 2024, is the kickoff for Open Enrollment on the Get Covered Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace, with 11 health insurance companies offering plans. Illinoisans can enroll through January 15, 2025.
The Illinois Department of Insurance also released health insurance rates for the 2025 Plan Year. Plan availability and rates will vary based on where a consumer resides. In some areas of the state, consumers will see a decrease in health insurance premiums and other areas will see increases, with the majority of counties having rate changes between -6% and 10% (in the second-lowest-cost Silver plan). The average rate change across all rating areas for the second lowest-cost Silver plans is a 0% increase.
The press release is available via this link.
What We're Reading
Paid Voting Leave to Assist Voters Who Work on Election Day (WPSD)
Early Voting Numbers Continue to Climb One Week Out from Election (WCIA)
Illinois State Board of Elections Monitoring Social Media for Misinformation (WAND)
All Politics is National. Illinois May be Flyover Country for Presidential Candidates, but their Campaign Themes Dominate Local Races. (Chicago Tribune)
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.
Understanding New Medicaid and CHIP Requirements for Youth in Detention: What Counties Need to Know
(Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 2:00pm-3:00pm CST)
Join NACo for an in-depth webinar on the latest guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding Medicaid and CHIP services for youth detained in public institutions. Effective January 1, 2025, these mandated changes, stemming from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, require states to amend their Medicaid and CHIP plans to provide essential medical, dental and case management services for eligible youth, before and after release. Learn how these changes will impact county jails and how counties can collaborate with state health officials to ensure compliance and secure federal support.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
Maximizing Efficiency in County Finance
(Thursday, November 14, 2024, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)
During this webinar NACo will discuss the benefits of digitizing accounts payable (AP) and expense management processes and demonstrate how technology and automation can help county finance leaders alleviate staffing challenges, increase efficiency, and ensure financial accuracy and compliance.
The goal of this webinar is to provide county finance leaders with actionable insights and practical guidance on how automation can benefit their departments, addressing both the challenges they face and the opportunities available through technology.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
How to Champion Your Coal Communities’ Natural Resources
(Thursday, November 21, 2024, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)
Join the BRECC National Network this November to learn how coal communities are balancing resource conservation and economic development. This session will highlight how coal-impacted communities can leverage public lands, natural resources and federal partnerships to successfully champion the needs of their community. This BRECC National Network Session will feature the Conservation Fund’s “Activation Program” and community leaders embracing a multi-point approach to natural resource economies.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
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.
Click here to learn more about Nationwide.
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.