This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter invites county officials and staff to register for the County Lobby Day event taking place on Wednesday, reports on the enactment of the federal budget in the form of a continuing resolution, provides a link to ISACo tracked legislation, makes county officials and staff aware of proposed legislation that would amend the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA) laws, highlights a $100 million investment in the state's drinking water and wastewater projects, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, highlights ISACo corporate partner GovText and invites counties to join ISACo.

County Lobby Day - Happening Wednesday!

Please join the United Counties Council of Illinois (UCCI) and ISACo on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, for County Lobby Day. 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.

Federal Budget Resolution Enacted into Law

On March 15, 2025, President Donald Trump signed into law a continuing resolution passed by Congress to fund the federal government through the end of September, thereby averting a potential shutdown. The legislation maintains most government spending at fiscal year 2024 levels, with adjustments that include a $13 billion reduction in non-defense spending and a $6 billion increase in defense spending. The continuing resolution includes total spending of approximately $1.7 trillion.

In the Senate, the bill passed with a 54-46 vote, with ten Democrats joining Republicans despite internal party disagreements. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats supported the measure to prevent a shutdown they argued could have allowed the administration to aggressively restructure federal agencies. 

In the House of Representatives, the bill passed with a vote of 217-213, primarily along party lines.

ISACo Tracked Legislation 

The deadline for moving bills out of their chamber or origin is March 21. Only one week remains for each chamber to schedule and hold hearings on a voluminous number of bills ahead of the deadline. To date, there is no indication that committee deadlines will be extended.

A complete list of ISACo-tracked bills is available via this link. These bills are searchable by number, category, key words, or whether they would create a mandate or reduce revenues. ISACo has taken positions on many of these bills in accordance with our County Platform. 

A resource to assist with filing witness slips on legislation is available via this link.

Legislators Filed Significant Number of FOIA/OMA Bills

ISACo is tracking a multitude of bills that would amend the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or Open Meetings Act (OMA). These tracked bills, some of which ISACo has a position on, are available via this link. 

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Invests More Than $100 Million in Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Acting Director James Jennings announced the investment of more than $112 million through water infrastructure loans to local governments and water districts for the first half of Fiscal Year 2025 (July – December 2024). The Illinois EPA State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program provides low-interest loans that fund wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water projects. Included in these investments is more than $9.9 million in loan forgiveness, provided to recipients meeting the loan rules for either the Small Community Rate or Hardship Rate.

The press release is available via this link. 

What We're Reading

Slowdown in Private-Sector Jobs a Boon for State and Local Hiring (Governing)

Rural Schools Face Unique Challenges Filling Positions (Capitol News Illinois)

Don’t Click on Those Road Toll Texts. Officials Issue Warnings About the Smishing Scam (WTTW)

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.  

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.  

Bridging the Generational Divide in the County Workforce, a NACo EDGE Webinar

(Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)

Leading multiple generations in the county workforce can be quite challenging. Even the most experienced leaders in local government are realizing anew the importance of situational awareness and individualized consideration and applying strategies that bridge generational divides to provide value across all generations.

Join your peers in this webinar in which Dr. Tim Rahschulte will explain the challenges of managing a multi-generational workforce and provide practical strategies for bridging the divide and creating increased collaboration among your team. Dr. Tim will outline the characteristics and values of each generation represented in our workforce today, share common stereotypes associated with each generation and detail how they can impact workforce dynamics. Importantly, strategies will be shared for building a culture of inclusion and understanding, techniques for promoting open communication, creating opportunities for cross-generational collaboration and leveraging the strengths of each generation for the benefit of each person in your workforce and each customer they serve in your community. As part of this conversation, we will explore together ways to address conflicts that arise due to generational differences and how to foster a workplace culture that values individual contribution and collaboration.

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  

Ascendant App, Inc. 

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!