This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter provides a federal action alert for county officials and staff regarding protecting the tax exemption for municipal bonds, highlights ISACo-tracked bills to be heard by Senate Committees this week, includes the employment rates for February, links to articles ISACo staff is reading to stay informed, provides information about upcoming National Association of Counties (NACo) webinar opportunities, highlights ISACo corporate partner Comcast and invites counties to join ISACo.

Federal Action Alert! Protect Tax Exemption for Municipal Bonds

The House and Senate are currently drafting legislation to extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. While the bill text is still being drafted and has not yet been released, we know there are proposals under consideration that would offset the cost of extending these tax provisions by eliminating the long-standing municipal bond tax exemption.

Counties rely on tax-exempt municipal bonds to underpin 90 percent of American infrastructure investments, raising capital for critical infrastructure projects like schools, airports and utilities while keeping costs low for our taxpayers. Eliminating the tax exemption would raise the cost of infrastructure by $823 billion over the next decade. This 2.1% increase in borrowing costs translates to a $6,554 tax increase for over 125 million American households.

County leaders have a unique opportunity to protect the tax exemption and our ability to finance critical infrastructure in our communities. ISACo requests thast you contact your member of Congress to urge them to take the municipal bond tax exemption off the table now, before text for this bill is even drafted.

If we wait to advocate on this issue until text appears in writing, tax exemption for municipal bonds could have to be traded for another county priority — this is why acting now is so important.

ISACo has prepared a model letter (available in Word via this link) that can be customized and mailed to your member(s) of Congress. The content can also be placed in an email. 

Senate Bills in Committee

The House of Representatives is not in session this week and will reconvene on Tuesday, April 7. The Senate will be in session this week beginning Tuesday, April 1. The following ISACo-tracked bills are scheduled to be heard in Senate Committees this week:

SB 8 - Safe Gun Storage (No Position)

SB 105 - Open Meetings Act (No Position)

SB 212 - Nursing Mothers in the Workplace (No Position)

SB 1420 - Local Health Department-RMSF (No Position)

SB 1612 - Downstate Forest Preserve Districts-Competitive Bid Threshold (Support)

SB 1827 - Fire Districts/Design-Build (No Position)

SB 1911 - Property Tax-Affordable Housing (Under Review)

SB 1953 - Police Records and Sheriff Board (No Position)

SB 1954 - Counties Code-Recall Officials (Under Review)

SB 2044 - Web-Based Signatures Act (Support)

A complete list of ISACo-tracked bills is available via this link. These bills are searchable by number, category, key word, 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. 

Illinois Employments Rates for February

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced on Thursday, March 27, 2025, that the unemployment rate fell -0.1 percentage point to 4.8 percent in February, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  The revised January unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.9 percent.  The Illinois unemployment rate was down -0.1 percentage point from a year ago when it was 4.9 percent.  The national unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in February, up +0.1 percentage point from the previous month, making the state's unemployment +0.7 percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate.

The press release is available via this link. 

What We're Reading

How Courts Are Trying to Make Jury Duty More Appealing (Governing)

FEMA Disaster Preparedness Role Could Decrease Following Trump Executive Order (American City and County

States Look to Rein in Rising Costs for Mobile-Home Owners (Governing)

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.   

Q1 AI Focus Group: New Administration Policies on AI and Regional AI Forum Overview

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

How is your journey progressing with AI? Do you have questions about the new administration's direction? Do you want to know more about the Regional AI Forums?

Interact with NACo staff and several county leaders to learn more and share what you are hearing in your area. If time allows, we will also revisit the NACo AI Compass to highlight several areas where the industry is evolving.​​​​

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

Chart Your Course: Digital Learning Resources for the County Workforce #2

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

Advance your digital learning strategy! Join NACo as they continue in their "Chart Your Course" digital learning program. Discover how multiple counties are successfully implementing Microsoft's online learning platform to enhance staff development and set requirements for access to GenAI tools, like Copilot. Gain actionable insights and best practices.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

NACo Membership Series: First 100 Days, Week 10

(Thursday, April 3, 2025, 2:00pm-3:00pm CST)

Join NACo for week nine of a membership series providing timely updates and analysis on key developments during the first 100 days of the Trump administration. These calls will focus on policies and actions that directly impact counties, including federal funding, regulations and intergovernmental partnerships. Join us to stay informed on how these changes may shape county priorities and operations.

Click on this link to register for the webinar. 

The Current State of Student Debt and Forgiveness

(Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST)

A webinar for HR and county leadership looking for ways to engage county employees.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.

NACo Membership Series: First 100 Days, Week 11

(Thursday, April 10, 2025, 2:00pm-3:00pm CST)

Join NACo for week nine of a membership series providing timely updates and analysis on key developments during the first 100 days of the Trump administration. These calls will focus on policies and actions that directly impact counties, including federal funding, regulations and intergovernmental partnerships. Join us to stay informed on how these changes may shape county priorities and operations.

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. 

NACo Membership Series: First 100 Days, Week 12

(Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 2:30pm-3:30pm CST)

Join NACo for week nine of a membership series providing timely updates and analysis on key developments during the first 100 days of the Trump administration. These calls will focus on policies and actions that directly impact counties, including federal funding, regulations and intergovernmental partnerships. Join us to stay informed on how these changes may shape county priorities and operations.

Click on this link to register for the webinar.  

CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT  

Comcast Corporation is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment, and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content and has exclusive content rights.

With more than 6,000 local employees, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region serves customers in central and northern Illinois, including the Chicago area, northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan.

​Click here to learn more about Comcast.

Become an ISACo Member!