This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes an update on an upcoming special legislative session, announces the extension of the Gubernatorial Disaster Declaration for another month, shares information about Restore, Reinvest and Renew Program Grant awards, provides a link for county officials and staff to register for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference being held from July 21-24 in Colorado, encourages county officials and staff to participate in NACo's High Performance Leadership Academy, announces upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, spotlights ISACo corporate partner Nationwide and invites counties to join ISACo.
Special Session Announced
On Friday, June 24, 2022, Governor JB Pritzker announced that he is calling the General Assembly into special session beginning on a date following the Fourth of July holiday. Members are reportedly being polled about potential dates between July 5 and 15. The purpose of the special session is to take up legislation pertaining to abortion rights in the wake of the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) last week overturning Roe vs. Wade.
The Governor's press release is available via this link.
Disaster Declaration Extended
On Friday, June 24, 2022, Governor JB Pritzker signed a new Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation that extends the state's disaster declaration through July 24, 2022.
The Governor also issued Executive Order (EO) 2022-14. This EO re-issues several previous EOs.
Per P.A. 101-0640, remote meetings remain a permissible option for local governments as long as certain criteria are met. Additional information about this authority is available via this link.
Restore, Reinvest and Renew Program Grant Awards
On Thursday, June 23, 2022, The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) announced $45 million in grant funding that will support 148 programs run by organizations in communities hardest hit by the war on drugs.
The grants are part of the R3 Program, created as a key equity element of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act signed by Governor Pritzker in 2019. The law requires using 25 percent of all cannabis tax revenue to support communities hurt by economic disinvestment, violence and the severe and disproportionate damage caused by the war on drugs. These issues largely impact low-income Illinoisans and communities of color.
The funds will be administered in the 2023 calendar year and include approximately $40.5 million to support agencies providing service delivery and $4.5 million to support community planning and capacity building for future R3 funding.
Additional information is available via this link.
Registration for NACo Annual Conference
The 2022 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference will be held in Adams County, Colorado from July 21-24. Participants from counties of all sizes come together to shape NACo's federal policy agenda, share proven practices and strengthen knowledge networks to help improve residents’ lives and the efficiency of county government. ISACo and the United Counties Council of Illinois (UCCI) will co-host a dinner for Illinois attendees. Registrants for the conference should have received an initial invitation for this dinner via e-mail on Friday, June 17.
Registration and information about housing for conference attendees is available via this link.
NACo High Performance Leadership Academy
Looking for a high quality leadership enhancement program to boost your skills? The NACo High Performance Leadership Academy is a 12-week online program that empowers county officials and staff with the most fundamental leadership skills to deliver results for counties and communities. Join the ranks of other Illinois county officials who have benefited from this program. Click on the image below to learn more.
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.
Vote Like a Pro at the 2022 Annual Business Meeting
(Thursday, July 7, 2022, 11:00am-12:00pm CDT)
Primary voting delegates can participate in the 2022 Annual Business Meeting during NACo’s Annual Conference in Adams County, Colorado. Join us to learn how to cast your votes and what you can expect during the business meeting. Following each webinar, registered voting delegates will receive a test ballot to practice using the secure online voting platform.
Click on this link to register for this event.
SLLC Supreme Court Review
(Thursday, July 14, 2022, 1:00-2:15pm CDT)
From guns, abortion, countless First Amendment cases to a potentially big police case, this U.S. Supreme Court term will long be remembered. Join Dan Bromberg of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, who wrote the SLLC amicus brief in Shurtleff v. Boston, Roman Martinez of Latham & Watkins, who argued Vega v. Tekoh and Luke McCloud, Williams & Connolly, who argued Concepcion v. United States, in a discussion with Lisa Soronen of the State and Local Legal Center about the most interesting and important cases for states and local governments decided this term.
Click on this link to register for this event.
CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
This week's corporate partner spotlight highlights ISACo's partnership with Nationwide.
Over the past 85 years, focusing on customers and valuing people have helped Nationwide become one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in the world.
Even though Nationwide has dozens of affiliated companies, people are its biggest resource – and its greatest asset in providing excellent customer service to its customers. That's why its Supply Management Services group makes sure agents and associates get the best quality products and services, at the best possible cost. It's also why Nationwide has an Office of Customer Advocacy.
More information about the services provided by Nationwide is available via this link.
Click on this link to learn more about the benefits and opportunities available through ISACo's Corporate Partner Program.
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 Executive Director Joe McCoy at (217) 679-3368 or jmccoy@isacoil.org. ISACo member counties are listed here. Thank you for your consideration.