August 22, 2025
www.ssmma.org

Pension Concerns High as Veto Session Looms

The Illinois Legislature's Veto Session (scheduled for October 14-16 and 28-30) is fast approaching, and several unresolved issues from Spring Session are set to arise that municipalities need to be ready for. One of the most pressing issues will be expanding pension benefits, a move which would significantly increase the cost to municipalities, and thus to taxpayers. Springfield legislators will be asked by special interest groups to increase pension benefits by unfunded mandate, threatening the economic solvency and stability of our towns. Our legislators and state leaders need to hear from mayors about the financial burden this will place on taxpayers in the Southland.

 

Pension benefits for police officers, firefighters, and municipal employees are set by the state legislature, but they are funded by the taxpayers they serve. Increasing benefits will likely result in higher property taxes on our residents; in some communities, annual pension expenses already match or exceed annual property tax revenues. Annual annuities for retirees currently average nearly 80% of annual salary at time of retirement, surpassing Social Security levels and the federal “Safe Harbor” threshold. 

 

SSMMA will be reaching out to municipalities directly over the next several weeks, requesting tax and pension data that will help illustrate to state lawmakers how mandated changes to benefits will harm our communities. We'll need your help to make our case! SSMMA urges all local leaders to stay informed and work with us in the coming weeks as we must communicate our strong concerns to state decision makers and back it up with data and real-life examples of the impact these changes would have on YOUR community. 

 

For more information, feel free to contact Kristi DeLaurentiis at kdelaurentiis@ssmma.org.

SAVE THE DATE: SSMMA Jingle & Mingle

Mark your calendars! The South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association invites you to the Jingle & Mingle Dinner on Thursday, December 4, 2025, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Wind Creek Casino.


Co-hosted by Mayor Tom Brown and the Village of East Hazel Crest, and Mayor Rich Hofeld and the Village of Homewood.


This year's event is sponsored by Comcast, ComEd, Nicor, and AT&T. Find more information about sponsorship opportunities here.


Stay tuned for additional updates and contact Melissa Doud for questions.

Upcoming Meetings and Events


Visit our website for SSMMA's meeting schedule, Zoom log-in information, and meeting materials.


Check out SSMMA's 2025 Meeting Calendar


SSMMA Transportation Meeting - The next meeting will be held on September 9 at Flossmoor Village Hall at 2:00pm


SSMMA Business Meeting - The next meeting will be held on Thursday, September 25, at 6:00pm via Zoom

Additional Grant Opportunities and Resources

• Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities: Notice of Funding Opportunity is NOW OPEN and accepting applications through November 5, 2025.  


• The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has announced the FY 2027 Local Highway Safety Improvement call for projects. IDOT plans to allocate $32.75 million to local agencies to support projects that reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries, aligning with the national "moving toward zero" initiative. 


• Find a list of DECO grant opportunities for the state of Illinois here.


• Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is accepting grant applications for green infrastructure projects, under the GIGO program. Learn more.


• Check out Will County's small business assistance resource page.
News from Community Partners

Cook County Launches Measles Vaccination Campaign


As measles cases rise nationwide and the number of unvaccinated children in suburban Cook County has doubled in the past decade, county officials, school leaders, and faith partners are urging families to protect kids with the MMR vaccine.


Campaign materials in English and Spanish will run through mid-October across suburban Cook County. Learn more.

Become a Data Ambassador!



The Cook County Department of Public Health, in partnership with the UIC School of Public Health, invites community members, public health professionals, educators, and advocates to join the 2025 Data Ambassadors Program.


This free training series will build your skills in using public health data, navigating the Cook County Health Atlas, and interpreting data for organizational decision-making. Attend all sessions to become a certified Data Ambassador and help train others in your community! Register here.

Apply Now: Powering the Holidays Grant Program


The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and ComEd are offering grants of up to $2,500 for community holiday lighting events through the Powering the Holidays Program. Municipalities, local governments, and eligible nonprofits partnering with a government entity can apply.


Applications are open through August 29, 2025, at 11:59 PM CDT.


Holiday lighting must take place between November 1, 2025 - February 13, 2026.


Learn more and apply at the Powering the Holidays Program.
 

Job Postings & Requests for Proposals

• SSMMA offers a list of local job opportunities and RFPs throughout the south suburban region directly on our website.


• Municipalities and organizations can send job openings and proposals here to be publicly posted.


 
SPC News

ACT NOW! SPC 2026 Ford Escape Factory Order Cutoff Date is September 2


The Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) has been informed that the factory order cutoff date for the 2026 Ford Escape Active All-Wheel Drive (Contract #206) with Currie Motors is Tuesday, September 2, so please get your orders in soon!


For questions or additional information, please contact Currie Motors Municipal Sales Manager Tom Sullivan, 815-464-9200 or tsullivan@curriemotors.com. 


SPC 2026 Ford Transit Vans Available with No Price Increase


Orders are now being taken for Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) 2026 Ford Transit

Vans (Contract #207) from Currie Motors. Production begins next month and there are no price increases as follows:


  • Full Size Van $44,671.00
  • Full Sized E-Transit $53,095.00
  • Full Sized Passenger Van $53,046.00


Chill Out with Hot Summer Savings on Ice Melt from Warehouse Direct


It’s still summer, but the Early Buy Ice Melt Program from Warehouse Direct Workplace Solutions has started! Warehouse Direct is the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) awarded vendor for Combined Office & Janitorial Supplies (Contract #189).


They have options for every need, including eco-friendly blends as well as an Entry Liquid Ice Melt, a chloride-free, clear liquid formula that helps protect surfaces from granular abrasion. All products are delivered directly to the purchaser, so act today to save money and be ready for winter.


Check out the weekly briefing here.

For more information visit ssmma.org/spc or contact Melissa Doud.
Have something you'd like included in our next newsletter? Email it to news@ssmma.org.
 

South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association | 1904 W. 174th Street | East Hazel Crest, IL 60429 US

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