December 3, 2021
www.ssmma.org
News from SSMMA
SSMMA Kicks Off Holiday Season with Annual Holiday Jingle and Mingle Dinner
The South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the elected officials, associate members, partners, and friends who attended SSMMA's Jingle & Mingle Holiday Dinner. A special thank you to Mayor Patty Eidam and the Village of Lansing for hosting the event at the Serbian Social Center and for their gift of Gayety’s Chocolates to each attendee.

SSMMA would like to acknowledge the following sponsors for their contributions:

  • Comcast
  • ComEd
  • BNSF Railway
  • Nicor
  • Calumet City Plumbing
  • Governors State University
  • Ice Miller, LLP
  • Comfort Inn & Suites-Lansing
  • Fifth Third Bank
  • InsureSource
  • Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers

We also want to recognize Mayor Rick Reinbold & Tammy Valiquet (Richton Park) for their generous donation of Lottery Raffle Trees and members of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra who performed holiday music throughout the evening. 

SSMMA appreciates everyone who helped make this event possible and the support of members throughout the year. Check out pictures from the 2021 Holiday Jingle & Mingle here. We enjoyed our time with you!
Upcoming Meetings and Events

Look out for notice of SSMMA’s Legislative Breakfast scheduled for Friday, January 28th and other upcoming meetings in the new year.

Click here to view SSMMA's 2022 meeting schedule.

Housing Collaborative Meeting - Thursday, December 9th at 9:00am (Rescheduled from November 11th)
SSMMA Data & Resource Center
• SSMMA now offers an American Rescue Plan Act resource page for community leaders to access the latest information about program criteria and updates for Cook and Will County municipalities.

• Access the most recent 2020 Census data for the SSMMA region on the newest data web map or census dashboard.

COVID-19 News
As vaccination efforts across south suburban Cook continue, the percentage of vaccinated south suburban residents is progressing slowly. SSMMA's COVID Vaccine Tracker shows that the current regional vaccination rate is 48.9%, compared to 61.6% statewide.


  • As of December 3rd, the seven-day average positivity rate for the SSMMA region is 5.12%, versus 5.4% for Suburban Cook County.


  • Find regional vaccination rates and vaccine clinics directly at ssmmacovid.org.
State and Local COVID-19 Information
• Governor Pritzker released a new COVID-19 Executive Order on November 12, 2021.

• The Illinois Department of Public Health has released guidance on COVID vaccinations for kids 5-11 after CDC recommendation.

• Will County Health Department & Community Center allows residents to schedule first-time vaccinations and booster shots directly on their website.
Community Vaccination Information

• South Suburban College is now offering all three vaccinations along with testing. Learn more.

• All Cook County Health Community Centers are offering Pfizer vaccines for children 5+.

• Cook County Department of Health is offering in-home vaccinations for those with disabilities in the south suburban region.
Business & Residential Resources

• Find a list of federal and DCEO grant opportunities here.

• The U.S. Small Business Administration offers several funding programs for community organizations and small businesses.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority will begin accepting applications for the Illinois Rental Payment Plan Program (ILRPP) from December 6th until January 9, 2022. Illinois residents impacted by COVID-19 may qualify up to $25,000 in rental assistance. Learn more.

• CEDA is offering gas and electric bill assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Find program eligibility and intake site information for south suburban residents here.

• CEDA is also launching a Low Income Household Water Assistance (LIHWA) Grant Program designed to assist low-income households in Cook County with the payment of their water and wastewater utility bills. For more information contact CEDA.

November News from Our Community Partners
Regional Transit Authority Requesting Survey Participation
• The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is asking for residents throughout the Chicago region to participate in their Strategic Planning Public Survey.

• The survey will help RTA plan for the future of public transportation.

• The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau offers a list of events happening during the month of December across the south suburbs.

• Check out December's calendar of events.
• Illinois State Treasurer, Michael W. Frerichs is asking for help to return eleven Purple Heart Medals to their owners.

• The military honors are a part of the Unclaimed Property program and their owners cannot be found.

• Find more information and a list of the recipients here.
• ComEd's Energy Efficiency Program is offering multiple options to families in need of discounts and energy-saving options.

• Municipal leaders can access a toolkit to spread the news in their communities.
• Nicor is looking for partners to assist with their Energy Efficiency Program initiative to provide free smart thermostats to income-eligible customers.

• Contact Patricia Eaves for more information.

Center for Neighborhood Technology Needs Your Help!
• The Center for Neighborhood Technology is developing the Calumet Urban Baseline Project to define problems of urban flooding in the calumet region and create possible solutions.

• CNT is asking municipal leaders, public work directors, or water superintendents to participate in the beta testing of their website.

• Interested leaders and staff can sign up for a time slot to meet with CNT and share their feedback about the website. For more information contact Drew Williams-Clark.
SPC News

POTS Telecommunication Lines Discontinued

  • The Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) was recently informed that Telecommunications Program provider Peerless Network (formerly Call One) was notified by one of their vendors that certain telecommunications services will be discontinued. Read the full disclosure here.

  • SPC will notify program participants as soon as they have additional information. For questions or additional information, please contact staff or Peerless Network Director of Account Management Alex Sondgerath, 312-681-8313 or email asondgerath@peerlessnetwork.com. 

View the current SPC Catalog.
Have something you'd like included in our next newsletter? Email it to news@ssmma.org.