This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes a Veto Session update, congratulates the November NACo Leadership Academy graduates and invites county officials to sign up for the next January cohort, makes readers aware of open applications for the 2025 Supportive Housing Institute, reports on grant money awarded to certified local tourism and convention bureaus across the state, invites county officials and staff to join an ISACo Policy Committee, shares what ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, reminds county officials to register for the 2025 National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference in Washington D.C., announces upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Intergovernmental Personnel Benefit Cooperative (IPBC) and invites counties to join ISACo.
Veto Session
During the final week of Veto Session, legislators worked on finalizing adjustments to the state budget. This included changes to spending levels for various programs, including those concerning healthcare, social services and education. The adjustments were necessary to align the state's budget with revenue projections for the fiscal year.
Other bills approved by both chambers included, but were not limited to, TIF extensions, tax credits and permissible expenditures of municipal sales tax revenue.
2025 Lame Duck and Spring Session Dates Announced
As initially reported in our November 18 News and Views e-newsletter, the General Assembly will convene from January 2-7 for a "lame duck" session. These will be the final days of work for the 103rd General Assembly prior to the seating of the 104th General Assembly.
Additionally, the General Assembly Spring session calendars have been released:
House Calendar
Senate Calendar
A major issue looming over the 2025 spring session is how the General Assembly and Governor will close an estimated $3 billion budget deficit for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026.
The General Assembly is also expected to consider amending the Illinois Pension Code to adjust Tier 2 benefit levels toward benefit levels under Tier 1. Two bills filed this month (HB 5909 and SB 3988) would impact several pension statutes, including IMRF.
ISACo will provide additional information about these bills and carefully monitor developments going forward.
Congratulations to NACo Leadership Academy Graduates!
ISACo acknowledges and congratulates the November NACo Leadership Academy graduates from Illinois. They join over 10,000 graduates and current participants from across the country benefitting from the 12-week online program enabling existing and emerging county leaders to achieve their highest potential.
- Kyara Wright, Executive Assistant, Cook County
- Michele Price-Haynes, ERP Deputy Director, Cook County
Start the new year with Leadership Development
The January Cohort is right around the corner! Join the NACo Leadership Academy in investing in the workforce – empowering employees to become better leaders today and into the future. 10th Anniversary scholarships are available through December 31, 2024.
Additional information is available via this link.
Applications Now Open for 2025 Supportive Housing Institute
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) announced on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, that development teams can now apply to participate in its Supportive Housing Institute (SHI), a program designed to equip teams with the tools and knowledge to navigate the complex process of developing and financing affordable housing with supportive services. SHI will provide technical assistance, training and additional resources to teams who look to access funding through federal and state initiatives like IHDA's Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Development Program.
The press release is available via this link.
Grant Funding Awarded to Local Tourism and Convention Bureaus
On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $857,000 in grant funding was awarded to 11 certified local tourism and convention bureaus across the state. This funding was awarded through the International Tourism Grant Program as part of efforts to grow Illinois' tourism industry.
The list of recipients and press release is available via this link.
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.
What We're Reading
Illinois State Capitol Complex Security Fortified with New Rules (WCIA)
IL Nursing Home Operators Could be Fined if They Don’t Comply with Staffing Ratios (The Center Square)
State-Funded Electric Vehicle Chargers Open in Joliet, Thousands More to Come (Capitol News Illinois)
NACo Legislative Conference
The NACo Legislative Conference brings together nearly 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that impact counties and our residents.
This year, the conference will take place from March 1, 2025, to March 4, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Attendees have the opportunity to engage in second-to-none policy sessions, interact with officials of the new Administration and meet with members of Congress.
This is a one-of-a-kind advocacy opportunity to strengthen our intergovernmental partnerships for years to come.
Click on this link to register for the conference.
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.
Countdown to the ARPA SLFRF Obligation Deadline: What Local Governments Need to Know Before December
(Monday, November 25, 2024, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)
With the December 31, 2024, deadline for obligating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) quickly approaching, local governments nationwide are assessing how best to allocate these critical resources. Passed in 2021, the ARPA SLFRF provided $65.1 billion in direct, flexible aid to counties across the United States. The deadline means local governments must not only allocate these funds but also have contractual commitments in place before the year ends. Here, we break down what this obligation entails, why it matters and how local governments can ensure they meet this significant milestone.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
NACo Cyberattack Simulation: Cloud Security
(Monday, Dec 2- Friday, Dec 6, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)
Cloud computing has become integral to modern business and government operations, offering scalability, flexibility, and efficiency. However, the adoption of cloud services introduces new cybersecurity challenges and vulnerabilities, especially in the current growth of artificial intelligence. This simulation aims to enhance comprehension of the multifaceted challenges in securing cloud environments, facilitating the development and testing of proactive strategies to mitigate cloud security risks effectively. Insights derived from this simulation will empower organizations to fortify their cloud security posture, implement best practices, enhance incident response capabilities, and proactively defend against evolving cyber threats targeting cloud infrastructures. Ultimately, this simulation contributes to strengthening the resilience of organizations in safeguarding critical data, applications, and operations hosted in cloud environments, fostering trust and reliability in leveraging the benefits of cloud computing securely within the ever-evolving cyber landscape.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
The Power of .Gov: Securing Your County's Online Presence - Regions 1, 2 & 3
(Monday, December 2, 2024, 2:15pm-1:00pm CST)
Regions 1, 2 & 3
Join NACo for an informative webinar on the benefits of transitioning our county websites to the official .gov domain.
This free webinar, hosted by the National Association of Counties (NACo) Tech Xchange in partnership with Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), will cover how transitioning to a .Gov domain can enhance public trust, strengthen online security, and simplify website management.
The webinar will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your county's online future.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
The Power of .Gov: Securing Your County's Online Presence - Regions 6 & 7
(Monday, December 2, 2024, 2:30pm-3:30pm CST)
Regions 6 & 7
Join NACo for an informative webinar on the benefits of transitioning our county websites to the official .gov domain.
This free webinar, hosted by the National Association of Counties (NACo) Tech Xchange in partnership with Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), will cover how transitioning to a .Gov domain can enhance public trust, strengthen online security, and simplify website management.
The webinar will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your county's online future.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
The Power of .Gov: Securing Your County's Online Presence - Regions Regions 4 & 5
(Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 10:00am-11:45am CST)
Regions 4 & 5
Join NACo for an informative webinar on the benefits of transitioning our county websites to the official .gov domain.
This free webinar, hosted by the National Association of Counties (NACo) Tech Xchange in partnership with Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), will cover how transitioning to a .Gov domain can enhance public trust, strengthen online security, and simplify website management.
The webinar will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your county's online future.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
Navigating Seasonal Change: Prioritizing Mental Wellbeing for County Leaders and Employees
(Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)
As the seasons shift, many of us face the need to adjust our routines and manage increased stress from year-end commitments. This transitional period can impact our overall wellbeing, making it essential to prioritize mental health.
Join the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and NACo for an engaging webinar specifically designed for U.S. county leaders, HR professionals, and employees. We’ll explore the challenges and opportunities this season presents, equipping you with practical tools and strategies to enhance both personal and organizational wellbeing. Discover effective ways to relax, recharge, and thrive as we embrace the changes ahead.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
The Power of .Gov: Securing Your County's Online Presence - Regions Regions 8 & 9
(Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 2:30pm-3:15pm CST)
Regions 8 & 9
Join NACo for an informative webinar on the benefits of transitioning our county websites to the official .gov domain.
This free webinar, hosted by the National Association of Counties (NACo) Tech Xchange in partnership with Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), will cover how transitioning to a .Gov domain can enhance public trust, strengthen online security, and simplify website management.
The webinar will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your county's online future.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
The Power of .Gov: Securing Your County's Online Presence - Regions Regions 10
(Thursday, December 5, 2024, 2:30pm-3:15pm CST)
Region 10
Join NACo for an informative webinar on the benefits of transitioning our county websites to the official .gov domain.
This free webinar, hosted by the National Association of Counties (NACo) Tech Xchange in partnership with Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), will cover how transitioning to a .Gov domain can enhance public trust, strengthen online security, and simplify website management.
The webinar will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your county's online future.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
IPBC is a partnership of Illinois local government entities who are committed to the philosophy of risk pooling and working together to provide cost-effective health and related benefits to their employees and their families.
Click here to learn more about IPBC.
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 Communications Manager Tiffani Homer at (217) 679-3368 or thomer@isacoil.org. ISACo member counties are listed here. Thank you for your consideration.