This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter highlights select bills posted for committee hearings this week, provides a status update for previously referenced legislation, provides an ISACo resource to assist county officials desiring to file a witness slip with their county's position on legislation, spotlights the Illinois Counties Dinner held during the National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference, shares a funding opportunity for law enforcement cameras, provides details about County Lobby Day, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, highlights ISACo corporate partner IPBC and invites counties to join ISACo.

Highlighted Bills Posted for Committee Hearings

The following highlighted bills affecting counties are scheduled for committee hearings this week. Posted bills are not always considered by a committee on the date they are scheduled and may be called at a later date. A complete list of ISACo-tracked bills is available via this link.

House Committees

HB 0021 - FOIA/Local Records-Junk Mail (Support)

HB 0023 - Open Mtg-Emergency Defined (Support)

HB 0026 - Remote Meetings-Severe Weather (Support)

HB 0031 - OMA-Automated Request (Support)

HB 0076 - Cd Corr-Reentry Prgm-Reimburse (Support)

HB 1024 - Local Closed-Door Tax Increase (Oppose)

HB 1027 - Prop Tx-Veterans-Spouse (Under Review)

HB 1051 - Closed-Loop Well Setbacks (Oppose)

HB 1052 - Food Truck Freedom Act (Oppose)

HB 1056 - Prevailing Wage-Public Works (Oppose)

HB 1088 - DOC&DJJ-Transfer Request (Under Review)

HB 1104 - Loc Gov Efficiency Committee (Support) 

HB 1153 - Local Official Vacancy Posting (Oppose)

HB 1230 - EPA-Air Quality Fund (Support)

HB 1263 - Veh Cd-Non-Highway Vehicles (Under Review)

HB 1295 - PFAS-Product Ban (Under Review)

HB 1301 - Rural Hospital Task Force (Support)

HB 1314 - County Ethics Commission (Support)

HB 1352 - Multi-County Vet Assistance (Under Review)

HB 1359 - Illinois Native Landscapes Act (Oppose)

HB 1403 - $Law Enforcement Camera Grants (Support)

HB 1420 - County Wind/Solar Facilities (Support)

HB 1429 - Bill Of Rights-Homeless (Oppose)

HB 1449 - Mandatory County Administrator (Oppose)

HB 1575 - Restrict Covenant Modify Fee (Under Review)

HB 1595 - OMA-IMRF Benefits Posting (Support)

HB 1655 - Counties Cd-Sheriff Reqs (Under Review)

HB 1709 - Local-Accessory Dwelling Units (Oppose)

HB 1831 - Counties Cd-Nuisance (Support)

HB 1901 - Elec Cd-Early Voting Hours (Under Review)

HB 1927 - Conservation-Open Space Fund (Support)

HB 1930 - $Violence Prevention Grants (Support)

HB 2331 - Local Gov Compensation-Define (Under Review)

HB 2334 - FOIA-Cybersecurity (Support)

HB 2341 - $IDPH-Local Health Protection Grant (Support)

HB 2350 - Body Cameras-Auxiliary Officer (Support)

HB 2354 - Counties Cd-Lease of Property (Support)

HB 2355 - Counties Cd-Lease Of Property (Support)

HB 2394 - Veh Cd-Weight Limit Exemption (Oppose)

HB 2419 - EPA-Local Siting Review (Under Review)

Senate Committees

SB 0058 - DCEO-Regional Manufacturing (Support)

SB 0108 - Crim Pro-Assessment Fees (Under Review)

SB 1272 - Veh Cd-Special Traffic Device (Support)

SB 1368 - Multi-County Vet Assistance (Under Review)

SB 1948 - Veh Cd-Weight Limit Exemption (Oppose)

SB 2129 - IDOT-Local Gov Portal (Support)

Status Update for Previously Referenced Legislation

Several bills previously reported on by ISACo in our News and Views e-newsletters have advanced or are being amended. These bills can be viewed via this link.

ISACo Resource - Filing a Witness Slip on a House or Senate Bill

ISACo has created a resource to provide guidance for county officials desiring to file a witness slip with their county's position on legislation. The document is available by clicking on the image below.

2025 Illinois Counties Dinner at National Press Club

On March 1, 2025, ISACo and the United Counties Council of Illinois (UCCI) jointly hosted the Illinois Counties Dinner at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. Over 100 county officials and staff attended the successful event. The event was held during NACo’s 2025 Legislative Conference.

ISACo and UCCI would like to thank our guests for attending the dinner.

Pictures from the event are available via this link. 

The NACo Legislative Conference provides a multitude of educational sessions and high-level speakers. 

Illinois county officials and staff are also responsible for sponsoring 9 Interim Policy Resolutions that were considered by NACo Policy Committees. Updates about these resolutions will be provided in future ISACo publications. NACo Interim Policy Resolutions can be viewed by clicking this link

Illinois is well-represented within NACo leadership. This affords Illinois county officials and staff with opportunities to influence NACo activities and shape federal public policy. 

Law Enforcement Camera Grant Funding Opportunity 

The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) has provided information about a Notice of Funding Opportunity (available via this link) for its SFY 2025 Law Enforcement Camera Grant Program. Funding through this program is to be used for the purchase or lease of video cameras for law enforcement vehicles, officer-worn body cameras, data storage related to officer-worn cameras and training for law enforcement officers in the operation of the cameras. Counties are eligible to apply for awards of up to $3 million, with a total of up to $30 million available statewide. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, April 15, 2025. More information can be found on ILETSB’s website (available via this link).

County Lobby Day - Save the Date!

We are pleased to announce that the United Counties Council of Illinois (UCCI) and ISACo will co-host County Lobby Day on March 19, 2025. Planned activities include a Legislative Briefing, an opportunity to advocate for county issues at the Statehouse, and a Legislative Reception that evening at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.

When: March 19, 2025 (County Lobby Day Events)

• Breakfast Buffet (8:45 am), Presidential Library- First Floor
• Legislative Briefing (10 am – 12:00 pm) – Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
• Lunch Buffet, Presidential Library- First Floor
• Capitol Visit Opportunity (Meeting Scheduling Up to County)
• Legislative Reception (6:30 pm- 8:00 pm) – Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

Location: The Abraham Presidential Library and Museum
           212/ 211 N 6th Street
           Springfield, IL 62701

To Register: Please email Member Services and Communications Manager, Tiffani Homer, at thomer@isacoil.org to register for the event.

*Please also indicate if you also plan to attend the breakfast buffet gathering on the first floor of the Presidential Library that will be held before the legislative briefing.

We look forward to seeing you!

What We're Reading

Illinois to Issue $725 Million in Bonds for Infrastructure Development (IndexBox)

Pritzker Tries Prying Back $2 Billion in Frozen Federal Funds (Politico)

Local Governments Are Helping Laid-Off Federal Workers Find Jobs (Governing)

Former Two-Term Governor Jim Edgar Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer (Chicago Tribune)

Upcoming NACo Webinars

NACo has announced the following upcoming webinar opportunity. ISACo is a proud partner with NACo and encourages counties to participate in NACo membership and activities. 

Connected and Protected: The Importance of Regional Cyber Tabletop Exercises

(Thursday, March 13, 2025, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)

Join NACo for an interactive webinar on the importance of regional tabletop exercises in enhancing cybersecurity defenses for county governments. Learn how these exercises can help bridge connections between different local government agencies and departments, improve cybersecurity measures, and foster effective collaboration. Discover practical steps to initiate and conduct regional tabletop exercises, ensuring a coordinated and resilient response to potential cyber threats.

Key takeaways:

* Understand the concept and significance of regional tabletop exercises for county governments
* Recognize the benefits of including special districts, other counties, and government contractors in these exercises
* Gain insights from real-life examples of successful regional tabletop exercises
* Learn practical steps and best practices for planning and executing a regional tabletop exercise

Click on this link to register for the webinar. 

Saving Millions: How Counties Are Cutting Employee Health Plan Rx Costs with the NACo Public Promise

(Monday, March 24, 2025, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)

Join NACo for an educational webinar on how NACo’s Public Promise Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Coalition is helping counties save millions on employee health plan prescription drug costs. Learn more about how Mecklenburg County, N.C. is projected to save $7-8 million by joining the NACo PBM coalition. This offering, through NACo’s Public Promise Insurance, in partnership with CVS Caremark, provides counties with powerful cost-savings and multi-year pricing guarantees to combat rising Rx costs.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.  

AI & The Workplace Transformation: How to Enhance Staff Efficiency and Well Being in the Public Sector

(Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)

Join Grace White, Deputy Chief of System of Care Network at MHMR of Tarrant County, TX and Chris Yakscoe, Director & GM of AI at Netsmart, for a deep dive into the transformative power of automation and AI in the workplace. This session will explore how these technologies simplify daily tasks, reduce administrative burdens and improve staff well-being by fostering a healthier work environment. Learn from real-life examples of AI-driven tools that enhance recruitment, engagement and patient care while also supporting operational excellence. Key takeaways will include strategies for successful AI and automation initiatives to boost staff retention, reduce burnout and optimize workflows, with a look into future innovations in workforce management and patient care. Don’t miss this opportunity to empower your team and elevate your agency’s potential!

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!