This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes information about applying for Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) funding, shares the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Aviation System Plan, links to ISACo's report on Public Acts enacted in 2022 that affect or are of interest to counties, encourages counties to participate in the National Association of Counties (NACo) High Performance Leadership Academy and recognizes the April graduates from Illinois, includes an upcoming NACo webinar opportunity, spotlights ISACo corporate partner Harbour and invites counties to join ISACo.

Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Applications

On August 1, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) began accepting applications for ITEP. As part of the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan, $125 million is available. Projects eligible for funding include biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification work and other improvements designed to encourage safe travel across various modes of transportation at the local level.

IDOT is hosting a three-part webinar series to discuss ITEP. The first webinar was held on July 20 and focused on ITEP basics, eligibility criteria and best practices. Two additional webinars are scheduled as follows:

• Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. The webinar will cover the application process and scoring and a question and answer session with IDOT staff. Registration for the webinar is available here.
   
• Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. This webinar will feature a question and answer opportunity with IDOT staff. Registration for this webinar is available here.

The deadline to submit an ITEP application is September 30, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. CDT. Individuals with questions or concerns may contact IDOT by email at DOT.ITEP@illinois.gov.

The press release about the ITEP application period is available here.

Additional information about ITEP is available here.

IDOT Releases Illinois Aviation System Plan 

On August 4, 2022, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) released the Illinois Aviation System Plan. The plan identifies the needs and goals of the state’s airports and is the first comprehensive study of its kind in more than 25 years. 

The report follows last year’s release of IDOT’s Illinois Aviation Economic Impact Analysis, which found that the state’s airports annually contribute $95.5 billion to the state’s economy and support nearly 493,000 jobs.

A press release about the Aviation System Plan is available here.

ISACo 2022 Public Acts Report 

ISACo has published our Public Acts Report: Legislation of Interest to Counties in 2022. The 24-page report organizes new Public Acts by category and includes a synopsis as well as ISACo's position. The report is available on ISACo's website along with our post-session legislative information. County officials and staff are highly encouraged to review these materials.

NACo High Performance Leadership Academy

The NACo High Performance Leadership Academy is an innovative, completely online 12-week program created to equip frontline county government professionals with practical leadership skills to deliver results for counties and communities. (Click here to learn about NACo's Enterprise Cybersecurity Leadership Academy.)

With a robust curriculum developed by the Professional Development Academy in partnership with Fortune 1000 executives, public sector leaders, world-renowned academics and thought leaders, including General Colin Powell and Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, HPLA was designed specifically for the unique challenges and opportunities of serving in county government.

The High Performance Leadership Academy is a valuable and substantive training resource for county officials and staff. ISACo encourages county leaders to consider enrollment in the program. 

ISACo recognizes the following Illinois county staff members who graduated from the program in April:

• Alex Carr, Deputy Communications Officer, Lake County
• Daniel Eder, EMA Manager, Lake County
• Domingo Kaller, EMA Assistant Manager, Lake County
• Matthew Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, Lake County
• Duncan Smith, Construction Manager, Cook County
• Cassy Taylor, County Administrator, McLean County

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. 

Leveraging ARPA Funds to Improve Public Safety

(Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at 12:00pm CDT)

Many counties and cities are using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to reimagine public safety, reduce jail populations, interrupt violence and enhance access to diversion and crisis response opportunities. Join local officials to learn about how their communities plan are using funds for this purpose, how they made these decisions and who was involved, what they hope the impact will be of these investments and how to engage with local elected officials to sustain the momentum of these efforts.

Click on this link to register for this event.

CORPORATE SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

This week's corporate partner spotlight highlights ISACo's partnership with Harbour. 

Harbour Contractors strives to provide exceptional general contracting and construction services for our clients. We continue to grow by ensuring our customers achieve superior value from their investments.

Our success is driven by our extensive professional experience and by our adherence to our founding principles. These principles shape our clients’ experiences and thus drive our reputation of quality and dedication.

Honesty: We will always be truthful with one another, our clients, and our business partners.
Integrity: We will remain consistent in all actions, values, measures, principles, and will endeavor to maintain sound character.
Honor: We will treat people with respect and do what is right.
Commitment: We will work to strengthen our relationships with one another, our clients, and our business partners.
Community: We will be good corporate neighbors by actively supporting the communities in which we live and do business.
Safety and Environmental Stewardship: We will protect the safety of people and facilities and will keep protection of the environment behind all of our actions and decisions.

Additional information about the services provided by Harbour 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!