This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes information about energy efficiency and conservation block grant funding, highlights Illinois' new winter weather rule, provides information on a leadership program designed for government leaders, invites county officials and staff to join an ISACo Policy Committee, shares what ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, announces upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner GovText Ascendant App. and invites counties to join ISACo.
IEPA Awards Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants Funding
On December 4, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Acting Director James Jennings announced that the Agency's Office of Energy has awarded $285,400 in the third funding round of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The Illinois EECBG Program supports municipalities and counties with the development or revision of existing strategic energy or climate action plans, as well as supplemental energy efficiency audits and publicly owned building upgrades.
Additional information is available via this link.
Illinois' Winter Weather Rule in Effect Since December 1
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is reminding consumers that Illinois' winter weather rule is in effect from December 1 - March 31. The winter weather rule prohibits utilities from disconnecting eligible customers who use electric or gas as their primary source of home heating. "Frigid winters are a given in Illinois. The state's winter weather rule offers peace-of-mind for individuals and families who might otherwise be struggling to stay warm during the coldest months of the year," said ICC Chairman Doug Scott.
Additional information is available via this link.
Leading On Purpose Program
The NACo Professional Development Academy is excited to introduce Leading On Purpose — a leadership program designed specifically for government leaders ready to take their skills to an even higher level.
The program is specifically designed to help participants further establish their leadership purpose, enhance team dynamics, and navigate complex challenges in work and life.
There is time to enroll in a state-specific February launch to join peers from counties across the state who will make up an Illinois cohort.
Don’t wait! The February launch has only 100 seats. Join this elite group of graduates continuing their leadership development journey.
If you’re ready to lead with more intention, email Luke Afeman at lukea@pdaleadership.com or click here to learn more about Leading On Purpose and secure your spot! The cost is $750, but all previous NACo Professional Development Academy Grads receive a $250 scholarship, which makes their cost just $500.
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 Rolls Out First Phase of Plan to Modernize Professional Licensing (Capitol News Illinois)
Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Holding Policy Summit (ABC7)
In an EV-Hype World, Automakers are Discovering Hybrids are Hot Again (Governing)
Imperiled Wetlands Save the Midwest Billions in Flood Damage Costs, Study Shows, but They’re Disappearing (Chicago Tribune)
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 can 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.
Bridging Gaps: Collaborative Strategies for Supporting Youth Reentry Through Medicaid
(Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)
Join the National Association of Medicaid Directors and NACo for a deep dive into CMS’s latest guidance on extending Medicaid and CHIP services to incarcerated youth. This policy shift opens new opportunities for state and county partnerships to ensure continuous healthcare coverage for young people in the justice system. Discover practical approaches for collaboration between Medicaid agencies and county jails to facilitate successful enrollment, improve health outcomes, and support youths’ transitions back into the community. This session will include insights from county health leaders, best practices for cross-system coordination, and strategies for leveraging federal support to enhance service delivery.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
Q4 Tech Xchange Focus Group: How is your AI growth going? (Now that you have the AI toolkit)
(Thursday, December 12, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)
Join NACo to unpack how you have leveraged tools, like the NACo AI toolkit, to introduce AI projects into county operations. Our discussion will move beyond the AI hype and into real-life AI projects that are making a difference. The successes and challenges (obstacles overcome) of those projects will be highlighted, with a balance between increased productivity and risk. Participants, please come prepared to share your lessons learned, Discussion will cover both a) how your county views AI, strategically and b) what AI operational enhancements are either planned or implemented.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
Mastering Cloud Strategy: Exploring AWS and Azure Potential
(Thursday, December 12, 2024, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)
As local governments increasingly turn to cloud services to enhance their technological capabilities, it's crucial for county leaders to make informed decisions. Different services are needed for different workloads, and it's challenging to balance the best choice for your overall technology portfolio. Join us for a webinar designed to delve into the essentials of selecting the right cloud service provider for your short and long-term government cloud objectives.
Hear from two counties that have successfully navigated the transition to cloud services, sharing their journeys, best practices, and valuable lessons learned.
Key takeaways:
Understanding cloud service providers: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the top cloud service providers (Azure and AWS) and the unique benefits they offer for government operations.
Security considerations: Understand the advanced security features and protocols necessary to protect sensitive government data and ensure robust defense against cyber threats and compliance considerations.
Cost management and efficiency: Discover strategies to manage licensing, migration, and maintenance costs effectively while maximizing the efficiency and scalability of your cloud services.
Performance measures: Learn how to evaluate and monitor the performance of cloud services to ensure they meet the demanding needs of government operations and provide reliable service delivery.
Please join us to gain valuable insights and connect with peers who are at the forefront of government cloud innovation. Register now to secure your spot!
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
Mastering Cloud Strategy: Exploring AWS and Azure Potential
(Thursday, December 12, 2024, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)
As local governments increasingly turn to cloud services to enhance their technological capabilities, it's crucial for county leaders to make informed decisions. Different services are needed for different workloads, and it's challenging to balance the best choice for your overall technology portfolio. Join us for a webinar designed to delve into the essentials of selecting the right cloud service provider for your short and long-term government cloud objectives.
Hear from two counties that have successfully navigated the transition to cloud services, sharing their journeys, best practices, and valuable lessons learned.
Key takeaways:
Understanding cloud service providers: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the top cloud service providers (Azure and AWS) and the unique benefits they offer for government operations.
Security considerations: Understand the advanced security features and protocols necessary to protect sensitive government data and ensure robust defense against cyber threats and compliance considerations.
Cost management and efficiency: Discover strategies to manage licensing, migration, and maintenance costs effectively while maximizing the efficiency and scalability of your cloud services.
Performance measures: Learn how to evaluate and monitor the performance of cloud services to ensure they meet the demanding needs of government operations and provide reliable service delivery.
Please join us to gain valuable insights and connect with peers who are at the forefront of government cloud innovation. Register now to secure your spot!
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
Q4 Tech Xchange Focus Group: How is your AI growth going? (Now that you have the AI toolkit)
(Thursday, December 12, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)
Join NACo to unpack how you have leveraged tools, like the NACo AI toolkit, to introduce AI projects into county operations. Our discussion will move beyond the AI hype and into real-life AI projects that are making a difference. The successes and challenges (obstacles overcome) of those projects will be highlighted, with a balance between increased productivity and risk. Participants please come prepared to share your lessons learned, Discussion will cover both a) how your county views AI, strategically and b) what AI operational enhancements are either planned or implemented?
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
The Current State of Student Debt and Forgiveness for County Employees: NACo's Partnership with Savi
(Monday, December 16, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)
Savi is the leading social impact company helping student loan borrowers manage repayment and apply for federal programs. Programs like income-driven repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness are available to county employees. These programs can lower monthly payments and lead to substantial forgiveness, but the paperwork is complicated. The average Savi user saves more than $2,000 per year on their student loan payments and $40,000 in projected loan forgiveness.
Savi’s free assessment tool and digital application simplify work for members, while partners track impact and engagement data on a custom dashboard.
Click on this link to register for the webinar.
CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Ascendant App's GovText AI uses SMS-based technology to empower government agencies with real-time, two-way communication, enhancing citizen engagement and streamlining operations. Our platform simplifies complex processes and improves service delivery by enabling seamless communication across departments. This integration helps governments deliver timely support and vital information, from emergency notifications to community outreach, building more connected communities. By driving digital transformation and prioritizing accessibility, GovText makes public services more efficient and citizen-focused, paving the way for communities to thrive in the digital age.
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.