This Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) weekly News and Views e-newsletter reports on the failure of the graduated income tax constitutional amendment to gain approval, provides information about an Illinois Senate Republican leadership change, informs about $94 million in grant funding to businesses and communities across Illinois, discusses several executive orders in relation to COVID-19 mitigation and the suspension of provisions in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act, references upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, spotlights ISACo corporate partner Comcast and invites counties to join ISACo.
ISACo has moved office locations! Our new address is 427 E. Monroe Street, Suite 200, Springfield, IL 62701.
COUNTIES COUNT!
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Graduated Income Tax Constitutional Amendment Fails to Gain Approval
On Wednesday, November 4, 2020, the Chair of the “Fair Tax” amendment committee conceded that the proposed constitutional amendment to allow for a graduated income tax failed to garner sufficient votes for adoption.
With 99% of precincts reporting, the proposed constitutional amendment was defeated 54.5% to 45.5%. The amendment required support from more than 50% of votes cast in the election or 60% of votes cast on the constitutional amendment question itself.
Governor Pritzker said he will be working with the leaders of the Democratically-controlled General Assembly to identify a path forward. That path, he warned, will contain "deep and painful" budget cuts. The Governor indicated all options are on the table, including raising the current flat income tax.
With budget cuts being a distinct possibility over the coming months, ISACo will focus our attention on working to protect state-shared local revenues such as the county share of the state income tax distributed through the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF). More information about LGDF is available via this link.
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Illinois Senate Republican Leadership Change
Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) announced on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, that he will not seek re-election to his leadership post for the next General Assembly that will be seated in January 2021. Leader Brady will remain in his position until the end of his term in January.
The Senate Republican Caucus met within twenty-four hours of Leader Brady’s announcement and elected Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods - pictured) to serve as Senate Republican Leader for the 102nd General Assembly.
Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) was chosen to serve as Deputy Republican Leader.
Senator McConchie said “Our caucus will embrace a fundamentally new direction for Illinois. We need balanced budgets, smaller and smarter government, lower taxes, economic reforms, and a world-class education system that prepares our next generation to stay and succeed here, not flee to another state.”
ISACo looks forward to working with the new Senate Republican leadership and other caucus leaders in both chambers in support of a pro-county legislative agenda.
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2020 Fall Veto Session
The Fall Veto Session remains scheduled for November 17 – 19 and December 1 – 3, 2020.
ISACo continues to monitor how and if the Veto Session will proceed as scheduled.
Members of the 102nd General Assembly will be sworn into office on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at noon.
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$94 Million in Grant Funding to Businesses and Communities Across Illinois
Governor JB Pritzker has joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to announce the release of $94 million in emergency relief funds for communities and small businesses statewide. More than $46 million in small business grants through the historic Business Interruption Grants (BIG) program will provide relief to offset COVID-19 related costs for over 1,200 businesses in all corners of the state. Additionally, over $48 million in Local CURE funding has been issued to 163 local governments submitting eligible emergency costs for reimbursement.
Guided by an equity framework, these programs seek to address the hardest hit communities with emergency relief dollars. These latest funds reflect the geographic diversity of Illinois - with funds provided to over 79 counties, and over $68 million for downstate communities alone. In addition, over $35 million has been directed to regions currently under mitigations to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, or where mitigations will soon take effect.
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Executive Orders
Executive Order 2020-67: Imposes enhanced public health mitigations on Region 6 (East Central Illinois), effective November 2, 2020.
Executive Order 2020-68: Suspends provisions in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act regarding renewal applications and renewal fees for registry identification cards. All valid registry identification cards that expire between October 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021, will be granted a one-year renewal or extension.
Executive Order 2020-69: Imposes enhanced public health mitigations on Region 2 (North Central Illinois), effective November 4, 2020.
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Upcoming NACo Webinars
The National Association of Counties (NACo) has announced the following upcoming webinars:
Veteran Suicide Prevention: Strategies for County Leaders
(Monday, November 9, 2020, from 1pm – 2pm CST)
The high rate of veteran suicide remains an urgent public health crisis in the U.S., with an estimated 17 veterans dying by suicide each day. This tragic epidemic requires a comprehensive prevention strategy encompassing all levels government as well as partners in the community. Join NACo for a Webinar featuring federal officials, Congressional staff and county leaders who will discuss evidence-based strategies that counties can implement to reduce veteran suicide in our communities and federal policies that can strengthen our efforts on the ground.
Supporting National Defense and Strengthening Local Communities: County and Military Partnerships through the REPI Program
(Begins Tuesday, November 10, 2020, from 1pm – 2pm CST)
The Department of Defense’s (DoD) Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program facilitates cost-sharing partnerships between the Military Departments, local governments, other federal agencies and private conservation organizations to help relieve or avoid land use conflicts near military installations.
Join NACo for this educational webinar to learn more about the REPI program and county-military planning partnerships to maintain military readiness, while preserving open space and working lands, protecting natural resources and building resilient economies and communities.
COVID-19 Testing Solution Available through NACo/ CVS Health Partnership
(Begins Thursday, November 12, 2020, from 1pm – 2pm CST)
Join NACo for an interactive and tailored webinar to help maximize your county’s membership investment.
Learn how you can make the most of:
- COVID-19 Resources
- Federal Policy Advocacy
- Cost Saving Solutions
- Committee Involvement
COVID-19 Testing Solution available through NACo/ CVS Health Partnership
(Begins Friday, November 13, 2020, from 12pm – 1pm CST)
NACo and CVS Health launch Return Ready, a new program aimed to help get county employees back to work with a new level of safety precaution.
Local Response to COVID-19 Housing Impacts: How Counties are Investing Coronavirus Relief Fund Dollars
(Begins Friday, November 13, 2020, from 1pm – 2pm CST)
Each year, counties across the nation invest nearly $11 billion in housing and community development, with local governments playing a key role in housing affordability. Prior to COVID-19, residents in counties of all sizes and in all regions of the country were struggling with housing affordability. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic climate and loss of jobs, counties are using CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) dollars to financially support individuals who may be facing eviction or foreclosure. In addition to providing housing, rental and utility assistance, counties are also using these funds to invest in housing supportive services for individuals with disabilities, veterans and those experiencing homelessness. Join NACo for a webinar to hear from county leaders about their process for developing and implementing their CRF plans to work towards mitigating the housing impact of COVID-19.
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Corporate Partner Spotlight
This week's corporate partner spotlight highlights ISACo's partnership with Comcast.
Comcast Corporation is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content and has exclusive content rights.
With more than 6,000 local employees, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region (https://chicago.comcast.com) serves customers in central and northern Illinois, including the Chicago area, northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan.
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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