This week's Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) News and Views e-newsletter includes the latest proclamation from Governor JB Pritzker extending the COVID-19 disaster declaration for an additional 30 days, provides information about the availability of construction grants for unsewered communities, announces recipients of local economic recovery development grants, shares information about municipalities receiving COVID relief funds, includes Governor JB Pritzker's emergency disaster declaration in support of migrants, conveys the retirement announcement of Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne Burke, links to ISACo's County Jobs Listing resource, announces upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, spotlights ISACo corporate partner Wight & Company and invites counties to join ISACo.
Disaster Declaration Extended
On Friday, September 16, 2022, Governor JB Pritzker signed a new Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation that extends the state's disaster declaration for an additional 30 days.
The Governor also issued COVID-19 Executive Order (EO) 2022-20. This EO re-issues several previous COVID-19-related EOs. Among its provisions, EO 2022-20 rescinds the requirement for unvaccinated school and childcare personnel to test twice weekly for COVID-19. Additional information about this change is available via this link.
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.
Unsewered Communities Construction Grants
On September 12, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) announced a new funding opportunity to assist communities where there are currently no wastewater collection and/or treatment facilities. As part of Governor Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan, IEPA is making $20 million available for grants through the Unsewered Communities Construction Grant Program (UCCGP), which seeks proposals for projects that will provide wastewater collection and/or treatment facilities for areas where there are currently none. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been posted to the IEPA website.
All required UCCGP forms and information can be found at: https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/topics/grants-loans/unsewered-communities/Pages/UCCGP.aspx. Applications for the UCCGP program will be accepted September 12, 2022, through 12:00 PM (CST) on November 15, 2022. Applicants must pre-qualify through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act Grantee Portal.
Additional information is available via this link.
Local Economic Recovery Development Grants Announced
On September 13, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the 42 grant recipients that will receive nearly $3.5 million in funding to accelerate local economic recovery initiatives. Through the Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) program, the State is providing grants to help local governments and economic development organizations (EDOs) to create or update economic plans to promote economic recovery. After the plans are created, DCEO will offer grantees a competitive grant opportunity to apply for funding for specific projects included in their plans. This program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Additional information is available via this link.
COVID Relief Funds Distributed to Local Governments
On September 14, DCEO announced that more than 1,200 small cities, towns and villages across Illinois - Non-Entitlement Units (NEUs) - will receive $371 million as part of the second round of funding through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) specifically designated for NEUs. The full list of recipients and funding amounts can be found here: NEU Master.pdf (illinois.gov). NEUs are receiving a total of $742 million between the first and second funding allocations.
Additional information is available via this link.
Disaster Declaration Issued to Make Resources Available for Migrants
Governor JB Pritzker issued an emergency disaster proclamation on September 14 and activated approximately 75 members of the Illinois National Guard to ensure all state resources are available to support asylum seekers arriving nearly daily to Chicago from the State of Texas. The proclamation enables the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and other state agencies, in close coordination with the City of Chicago, Cook County and other local governments, to ensure the individuals and families receive the assistance they need. This includes transport, emergency shelter and housing, food, health screenings, medical assessments, treatments and other necessary care and services.
Additional information is available via this link.
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Burke Announces Retirement
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne M. Burke announced her retirement from the Court on Monday, September 12. Her last day on the bench will be Nov. 30, 2022. The Illinois Supreme Court also announced on September 12 that Justice Mary Jane Theis will succeed Burke as Chief Justice. Her three-year term begins Oct. 26, 2022. She will be the fourth woman to serve as Chief Justice following the late Justice Mary Ann McMorrow, Justice Rita B. Garman and Justice Burke.
ISACo Launches County Jobs Listings Webpage
ISACo has designated a webpage to link to job listing pages available on several Illinois county websites. Please let us know if your county has job listings for inclusion on this resource page.
Upcoming NACo Webinar
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.
Reinforcing Public Health Preparedness with Recovery Funds
(Wednesday, September 21, 2022, 2:00pm-3:00pm CDT)
Join NACo to learn how counties are utilizing Recovery Funds to reinforce critical public health infrastructure and foster future pandemic preparedness so that every resident can live in a healthy, thriving community.
Click on this link to register for this event.
Update on the Federal Communications Commission's Broadband Mapping Effort
(Friday, September 23, 2022, 1:00pm-2:00pm CDT)
Join NACo staff and the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Broadband Data Task Force (BDTF) for an overview of the ongoing Broadband Data Collection process, which will be used to create an updated national broadband availability map. The forthcoming broadband availability maps will be instrumental in determining the flow of funds for over $42 billion in funds for broadband deployment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
Click on this link to register for this event.
CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
This week's corporate partner spotlight highlights ISACo's partnership with Wight & Company.
For more than 80 years, Wight & Company has helped clients create exceptional, enduring buildings and spaces that enrich people's lives. Wight also specializes in providing professional services for transportation and infrastructure projects for counties, municipalities, state agencies, and private landowners.
More information about the services by Wight & Company 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.