The Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) wishes you a happy, safe and prosperous year in 2021.
This ISACo weekly News and Views e-newsletter reports on the federal COVID-19 relief and Omnibus Spending Package, shares the most updated General Assembly session schedules, includes information about changes within the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus, conveys spending reductions announced by Governor Pritzker for the current fiscal year's budget, includes a reminder about an increase to the minimum wage, recaps COVID-19 funding provided by the state during 2020, reports on Community Revitalization Grants, spotlights ISACo corporate partner Wight & Company and invites counties to join ISACo.
COUNTIES COUNT!
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Federal COVID-19 Relief and Omnibus Spending Package Signed into Law
On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed a $2.3 trillion legislative package into law that includes appropriations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 and additional COVID-19 relief. This package was approved by Congress on December 21, 2020.
The National Association of Counties (NAC0) reports that this legislative package does not contain additional direct and flexible funding for state and local governments. Direct and flexible funding was requested by counties throughout the nation and ISACo communicated the need for such funding to Illinois' Congressional delegation on more than one occasion. We are disappointed that it was not included within the final package.
The package does, however, include another round of Payment Protection Program (PPP) funding for small businesses, unemployment benefits and funding for vaccine distribution and testing. It also includes funding for nutrition assistance, child care and rental assistance to support households impacted by COVID-19. The package also extends the deadline for counties to spend money allocated through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) until December 31, 2021.
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Illinois House and Senate Release Session Schedules
The Illinois Senate released a complete schedule of intended session dates for the 2021 spring legislative session. That schedule is available via this link.
In addition to this 2021 calendar, Senators were asked to hold January 8 through January 13 open for possible session days to conclude the 101st General Assembly.
Similarly, members of the Illinois House were informed that the chamber will convene on January 8 for a period through at least January 13.
The 102nd General Assembly will be inaugurated on January 13.
During the remainder of the 101st General Assembly, the Senate will meet in the Senate Chamber of the Statehouse. The House will meet in the Bank of Springfield Center to allow for appropriate social distancing. Access to these venues will be limited for the general public.
Bill Filed to Allow for Remote Legislating
On December 21, 2020, Representative Ann Williams (D-Chicago) filed HB 5868 (linked here) to allow the Illinois General Assembly to meet, conduct legislative business and vote remotely in the event of a pandemic or other emergency which renders it dangerous or impossible to meet in person.
The Illinois Senate adopted rules to permit legislators to participate remotely as long as a physical quorum is present.
The House did not adopt rule changes to allow for remote committee hearings or voting. A bill to permit the General Assembly to participate in virtual lawmaking failed in the House during the May 2020 special session.
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Senator Brady Resigns from State Senate
Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington - pictured) announced his resignation from the Illinois State Senate effective December 31, 2020. In November, Senator Brady announced he would step down from his leadership of the Caucus at the conclusion of the 101st General Assembly.
Senator Brady will be replaced as Republican Leader by Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods). Senator McConchie was elected to assume leadership of the Caucus shortly after Senator Brady announced he would not seek to retain his leadership role into the 102nd General Assembly.
ISACo wishes Senator Brady all the best in his new endeavors.
It was also announced that Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) will continue to serve the Republican Caucus as chief-of-staff when the 102nd General Assembly convenes on January 13. Senator Righter did not seek re-election in 2020.
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Governor Outlines Spending Reduction Plan for Fiscal Year 2021 Budget
Governor JB Pritzker announced more than $700 million in spending reductions for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021. The plan is the result of a months-long and ongoing review of agency spending under the Executive branch. The plan includes a hiring freeze, grant reductions and operational savings.
As part of the administration's ongoing attempt to identify budget efficiencies, Governor Pritzker also announced the following measures:
- Negotiations with AFSCME and other employee unions to identify $75 million in personnel cost adjustments, which could include furlough days.
- Creation of an Illinois Corrections Transformation Advisory Team to determine the best ways to move forward with these efficiencies at the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC).
State Borrows Federal Reserve Funds for Bill Backlog
Illinois closed on an additional $2 billion in borrowing from the federal Reserve’s Municipal Liquidity Facility on December 17, 2020. State Comptroller Susana Mendoza is using the funds to pay down the state’s bill backlog, reducing it from $8.9 billion to $6.99 billion. The loan is backed by a general obligation pledge with a three-year term. The state previously borrowed $1.2 billion to address the SFY20 budget gap, which must be repaid by June 30, 2021.
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Minimum Wage Increases to $11 Per Hour
Illinois’ minimum wage increased to $11 an hour on Friday, January 1, 2021.
This is the latest increase in the law that will ultimately raise Illinois' minimum wage rate to $15 per hour by 2025.
During 2020, the minimum wage was increased to $9.25 per hour in January followed by an increase to $10 per hour in July.
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Over $1.3 Billion in COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Funding Awarded to Illinois Businesses and Families in 2020
Governor JB Pritzker announced that his administration provided over $1.3 billion in funding during 2020 for businesses and families through COVID-19 emergency assistance programs.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has so far overseen the distribution of $214 million in funding to over 7,500 small businesses through the Business Interruption Grants program, with the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) providing more than $269 million in funding to 4,987 childcare providers through the same program. DCEO also oversees the Help for Illinois Families Initiative which includes programs that offer energy assistance to Illinois residents in need as well as emergency assistance for rent, temporary shelter and other necessities. The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has provided $325 million in emergency rental and mortgage assistance to 54,500 families.
Additional information on family programs, business interruption grants, emergency housing assistance and the Local CURE Program for local governments is available via this link.
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Community Revitalization Grant Funding Announced
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board has approved $10 million in funding to support affordable housing and community revitalization efforts across the state.
Awarded under the new Strong Communities Program (SCP), the initiative will provide funding to 68 units of local governments and land bank authorities for the acquisition, maintenance, rehabilitation and demolition of abandoned residential properties in their communities. As a result, the SCP will help address local affordable housing needs and community revitalization efforts for many local governments that lack capital needed to tackle this blight. The program is funded by the Rebuild Illinois capital plan.
Created in August 2020, the Strong Communities Program provides grants of up to $250,000 to local government agencies to return vacant residential properties to productive and taxable use. A total of $30 million in grant funding will eventually be awarded through multiple funding rounds.
Program funds will also reimburse local governments for acquisition, rehabilitation and maintenance projects including tree, shrub and debris removal, lot treatment and greening and other reasonable costs associated with returning blighted properties to productive use. Program funds may also be used for demolition in cases where properties are beyond repair and negatively impacting neighboring residences.
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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.
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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