ISACo welcomes Macon County as our newest member!

This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes an update on ISACo-tracked bills recently enacted into law by the Governor, reports on the General Assembly's upcoming special session, shares information about the Governor's extension of the state's disaster declaration and the re-issuance of several COVID-related Executive Orders (EO), announces that ISACo is accepting legislative proposals for possible introduction in 2022, reminds counties about an upcoming deadline for submitting American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) reports,  congratulates Illinois' county graduates from the National Association of Counties (NACo) Leadership Academy, announces an upcoming NACo webinar opportunity, spotlights ISACo corporate partner United Health Care (UHC) and invites counties to join ISACo.

New Public Acts Relevant to Counties Signed into Law by the Governor

HB 253 - IDOT - Asset Management Plan (P.A. 102-0573)

HB 1916 - IDOT - Construction Notification (P.A. 102-0393)

HB 2790 - Public Defender - Immigration (P.A. 102-0410)

HB 3147 - Resident/Patient Phone Call in Nursing Homes (P.A. 102-0398)

SB 134 - Journalism Task Force (P.A.102-0569)

SB 508 - Property Tax - Recapture Impact of Tax Refunds (P.A. 102-0519)

SB 512 - Preventing Youth Vaping (P.A. 102-0575)

SB 920 - Forensic Science Commission (P.A. 102-0523)

SB 1839 - Modular Dwelling and Mobile Structure Safety Act Codes (P.A. 102-0526)

SB 1840 - Hospitals - Financial Assistance (P.A. 102-0581)

SB 1842 - Controlled Substances - Opioid (P.A. 102-0527)

SB 1845 - Property Tax - Notice (P.A. 102-0528)

SB 1904 - State's Attorneys Authorized to Recieve Reports - Child Abuse and Neglect (P.A. 102-0532)

ISACo's updated Bills Approved by Both Chambers report is available via this link.

General Assembly Special Session

The House and Senate will return for a one-day special session on August 31, 2021. The purpose of the special session is to debate and approve revised state legislative maps. Revisions are necessary because the previously enacted legislative maps are based on flawed population estimates and incompatible with the actual 2020 census data.  

Our August 16 News and Views e-newsletter included information about the initial release of census data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That information is repeated below:

On Thursday, August 12, 2021, the U.S. Census Bureau released initial 2020 Census results showing local population shifts along with racial and ethnic diversity changes. This information was released in the "legacy" format, with more user-friendly data expected to be released by September 30, 2021.

A press release from the U.S. Census Bureau about the data is available via this link.

Population counts for counties are accessible via the U.S. Census Bureau's Quick Facts Website (available via this link). To view data for your county, enter your county's name in the field at the top left-hand side of the page.

Illinois' "legacy" format data is available via this link.

Information about how "legacy" data can be used is available on the Decennial Census P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data page (available via this link).

Governor Extends Disaster Proclamation, Re-issues Executive Orders

On August 20, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker signed a new Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation (available via this link) that extends the state's disaster declaration through September 18, 2021.

Per P.A. 101-0640 (available via this link), local governments may continue meeting remotely based upon certain criteria. Additional information about this authority is available via this link. ISACo initially shared information about the continuance of remote meetings during a disaster declaration in our July 26, 2021, News and Views e-newsletter (available via this link).

Also on August 20, the Governor issued Executive Order (EO) 2021-19 (available via this link). This EO re-issues several previous EOs. 

ISACo Accepting Legislative Proposals for 2022

Does your county have a problem in need of a legislative solution? If so, please e-mail it to ISACo at info@isacoil.org. Submitted proposals will be considered by the Legislative Committee. Proposals ultimately approved by the ISACo Board of Directors will be included within our 2022 Illinois County Action Program (ICAP).

Reminder: August 31 Deadline for Counties to Submit ARPA Reports

For the US Treasury American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) county funds, August 31, 2021, is the deadline for counties to submit both an Interim Report (all counties) and Recovery Plan Performance Report (counties with populations 250,000 and above).

It should be noted that counties should do the best they can when completing the Interim Report. Any changes or updates to the required content can be made in subsequent reports. It is important to submit the report by the August 31 deadline.

The US Treasury Department has produced a video to assist with navigating the reporting portal. Click on the image below to view the video. 

Please contact ISACo at info@isacoil.org if your county is having difficulties with the reporting requirement.

Illinois State Association of Counties Leadership Development: Learn From the Best!

Join the 1,700 counties and state associations already benefiting from the effectiveness of the NACo Leadership Academy, the 12-week, online leadership program led by General Colin Powell.

We would like to acknowledge and congratulate the April Illinois County graduates:

• Bridget Nodurft, Chief Deputy of Assessments Dekalb County
• Jessica Barker, Fayette County
• Jenny Waggoner, Board Chairwoman Fayette County
• Paige Sharer, Pulaski County
• Scott Sorrel, Peoria County
• Sharon Williams, Board Member Peoria County
• Tamas Kutas, Assistant Director Cook County
• Tasha Sims, Executive Assistant Dekalb County
• Valerie Dothager, Deputy Fayette County
• Zahra Ali, Director of Revenue Cook County
• Ben Wilson, Mgr-Transportation & Development Kankakee County
• Del Skimerhorn, Mgr-Planning & GIS Kankakee County
• Erich Blair, Supervisor of Assessments Kankakee County
• Kevin Duval, Director of IT Kankakee County
• Lucas Stroud, Asst Highway Engineer Kankakee County
• Steve McCarty, Finance Director Kankakee County
• Wes Andrews, Maintenance Director Kankakee County
• Anita Speckman, County Administrator Kankakee County
• Mica Freeman, Will County
• Rachel Ventura, Will County

Click on this link to learn more about the leadership program and enrollment.

Upcoming NACo Webinar

NACo has announced the following upcoming webinar opportunity:

Economic Development Administration 101 and ARPA Overview

(Monday, August 30, 2021, 12:00pm-1:00pm CST)

Join NACo and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for an overview of the EDA and its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) programs. The EDA team will discuss investment priorities, eligibility requirements, program details and deadlines.

Click on this link to register for this event.

Corporate Sponsor Spotlight

 

UnitedHealthcare Medicare and Retirement, an operating unit of UnitedHealth Group, is dedicated to providing innovative health and well-being solutions that help Medicare beneficiaries live healthier and more secure lives.

With 12 million members enrolled in individual plans and nearly 1.5 million in employer-sponsored group plans (Retiree Solutions), UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement is the largest business dedicated to the health and well-being needs of seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries. UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement manages a full array of products and services including Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplement plans, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, employer retiree health services, and programs designed to support chronic condition management and care coordination. Many of our products carry the AARP name.

Our products, services, and programs are designed to meet the individual needs of our members as well as their families, physicians, and communities.

The portfolio of UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement products includes:

Medicare Advantage Plans

UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement is the nation’s largest Medicare Advantage insurance plan, serving more than 4.9 million members through a variety of plans and services.

Medicare Part D Plans

UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement is the nation’s largest Medicare Part D prescription drug insurer, serving more than 9 million members throughout the United States and its territories. Our Medicare Part D plans cover thousands of brand-name and generic prescription drugs that are most commonly used by people on Medicare, delivering savings, stability, and peace of mind to our customers.

AARP Medicare Supplement

UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement operates the nation’s largest Medicare supplement business, serving more than 4.5 million members. Medicare supplement insurance plans are sold by private insurance companies to fill gaps in Medicare Parts A and B coverage. There are multiple plans available, giving members the ability to choose a plan which best fits their needs and the freedom to go to any doctor or hospital that participates in Medicare. Generally, with a Medicare supplement plan, there are limited out-of-pocket costs, so members have more predictable health care expenses.

Retiree Solutions

UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement leverages cost-effective health care delivery systems and superior networks to provide optimal health outcomes and cost savings for employers and their retirees. Group plans include Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement, and Medicare Part D. We also offer a Connector Model solution for employers looking to transition their members from traditional group-sponsored plans to individual retiree products.

Additional information about the UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage (MA) PPO health insurance plan is available via this link.

Become an ISACo Member!