This Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) weekly News and Views e-newsletter provides an update and overview about a criminal justice and law enforcement reform amendment, offers links to a package of legislative initiatives filed on behalf of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, includes an update on recent comings and goings in state government, shares a list of key dates for the 102nd General Assembly, references an upcoming NACo webinar opportunity, links to ISACo's 2020 Annual Report, spotlights ISACo corporate partner Christopher B. Burke, Engineering and invites counties to join ISACo.
COUNTIES COUNT!
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Overview of Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Reform Legislation
ISACo has prepared an overview of HB 163 as amended by Senate Floor Amendment (SFA) 2 (Senator Sims, D-Chicago). The legislation, available via this link, proposes various and significant criminal justice reforms.
ISACo's overview provides information about the provisions within the 611-page amendment. The document is available via this link.
ISACo is opposed to several of the provisions and our lobbyists have communicated this opposition to the Senate sponsor. There are other provisions that ISACo may be able to support, or upon which we do not have a position.
The amendment was discussed during subject matter hearings in both the Senate Executive Committee and House Judiciary - Criminal Law Committee over the weekend. A subject matter hearing allows for an issue to be presented and discussed without a vote following discussion. The subject matter hearings occurred during the final days of the 101st General Assembly, often referred to as the "lame duck" session. The final full day of the 101st General Assembly is Tuesday, January 12.
ISACo anticipates the legislation will see further changes following input by stakeholder groups and we will review these changes and take a position based upon whether our concerns are addressed.
If you would like to provide feedback to ISACo about how SFA 2 to HB 163 would affect your county, please e-mail Executive Director Joe McCoy at jmccoy@isacoil.org or leave a comment on our website available via this link.
Law Enforcement Coalition Proposes Modernization Plan
Ahead of the lame duck session, an Illinois law enforcement coalition issued a 15-point Safe Communities and Law Enforcement Modernization Strategy. According to the coalition, the proposal is designed to build trust and stronger relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. More information is available via this link.
State Certification of Law Enforcement Personnel
On Friday, January 8, legislation was filed on behalf of Attorney General Kwame Raoul proposing a state certification process for law enforcement personnel. Only law enforcement personnel who receive the certification from the Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board could be employed by law enforcement agencies.
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Legislative Black Caucus Releases Reform Package
ISACo is reviewing several legislative initiatives introduced on behalf of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus.
Introduced on Tuesday, January 5, these proposals seek reforms in the areas of criminal justice and law enforcement, economic equity, education and health care. The bills and amendments are as follows:
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Resignations and Appointments
Governor JB Pritzker announced that Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) will join his administration to serve as senior advisor, bringing a wealth of experience and accomplishments on vital issues in Illinois.
Manar will begin the role on January 19, shortly after he steps down from the Illinois Senate. He will work closely with the governor on his agenda and key priorities. Because of the breadth of Manar's policy background, he will advise the governor on a range of issues, including downstate economic revitalization, appropriations and COVID-19 recovery efforts.
Representative Jonathan “Yoni” Pizer (D-Chicago) resigned his legislative seat at the end of the year. Margaret Croke (D-Chicago), who defeated Pizer in the March primary, was selected to replace Pizer representing the 12th District.
Representative Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) resigned. He was defeated in November by Democrat Suzanne Ness (D-Crystal Lake).
State Representative Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) also resigned. McDermed did not seek reelection in November. Tim Ozinga (R-Mokena), who won the November election to replace Representative McDermed in the 37th District was appointed as her replacement.
Governor Pritzker appointed Dana Popish Severinghaus as the Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI). Popish Severinghaus formerly served as legislative and regulatory counsel at Allstate Insurance Company where she advised Allstate and its subsidiaries on legal, regulatory and legislative matters across the Midwest. Before that, she served as Senior Policy Advisor at the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) where she oversaw the Bureau of Benefits.
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Key Session Dates
The 102nd General Assembly will be sworn into office at noon on January 13, 2021.
January 13 - Inauguration of the 102nd General Assembly
January 27 - State of the State Address
February 5 - Senate LRB Request Deadline
February 17 - Governor’s Budget Address
February 19 - Deadline - Introduction of Substantive Senate Bills
February 23 - Consolidated Primary Election
March 26 - Deadline - Substantive Senate Bills out of Committee
April 6 - Consolidated Election
April 23 - Deadline - Third Reading Substantive Senate Bills
May 14 - Deadline - Substantive House Bills out of Committee
May 28 - Deadline - Third Reading Substantive House Bills
May 31 - Adjournment
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Upcoming NACo Webinar
The National Association of Counties (NACo) has announced the following upcoming webinar opportunity:
NACo Tech Xchange: IT and Security Assessment Tools
(Begins Thursday, January 14, 2020, from 1pm – 2pm CST)
Join Phil Walter, Chief Information Officer of Adams County, Pennsylvania, for an interactive, hands-on webinar to learn how the county utilized the results of an IT Assessment and a subsequent Security Assessment tool developed for local government. CIO Walter will share the process for improvements and successes that Adams County achieved from performing these assessments and discuss how your county can self-administer these interview tools and implement improvements.
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ISACo 2020 Annual Report
The Annual Report provides a summary of ISACo activities over the past year.
An Annual Report is required under ISACo's by-laws.
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Corporate Partner Spotlight
This week's corporate partner spotlight highlights ISACo's partnership with Christoper B. Burke Engineering.
Started in 1986, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LTD. is a full-service consulting engineering and surveying firm specializing in civil, transportation/highway, municipal, traffic, construction, water resources, environmental, structural and mechanical engineering. The company provides not only design services, but also planning, preliminary engineering, permitting, and construction observation. Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LTD. successfully completed the design, permitting and construction of numerous major transportation projects, flood control reservoirs, pump stations, embankments, water mains and water systems, storm sewers, and large open channels.
Click on this link to learn more about the benefits and opportunities available through ISACo's Corporate Partner Program.
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The Key to ISACo's Success is YOU! |
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. Thank you for your consideration.
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News and Views is a service provided by ISACo for county officials and staff. Please feel welcome to share with interested parties. You can contact ISACo Executive Director Joe McCoy at jmccoy@isacoil.org or (217) 679-3368 if we can be of service. Thank you for your support of ISACo.
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