SSMMA Newsletter May 29, 2026

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May 29, 2026

www.ssmma.org

SSMMA to Host CMAP Century Plan Discussion for Southland Communities

SSMMA is partnering with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to host an important discussion on The Century Plan, a long-term vision for a better, stronger future for northeastern Illinois. As CMAP works to identify the priorities, challenges, and opportunities that will shape the region over the next several decades, SSMMA is helping ensure that south suburban municipalities have a strong voice in the conversation.

Local governments are central to this effort. The plans, policies, and investments municipalities make every day influence how communities respond to future challenges related to transportation, housing, job access, economic development, flooding, and infrastructure. Through this facilitated discussion, CMAP is seeking input from SSMMA communities and local partners to better understand how regional trends and priorities align with the experiences of south suburban communities.

During the session, participants will review CMAP’s preliminary findings from its State of the Region report and discuss how those findings compare to local experiences. Conversations will explore shared regional challenges, opportunities for collaboration, and ways additional planning, technical assistance, policy support, and regional coordination can strengthen local impact.

CMAP has also reviewed a variety of municipal planning documents from SSMMA communities, including comprehensive plans and housing strategies, to identify shared goals, priorities, opportunities, and challenges across the Southland. Community feedback will help shape how future regional planning efforts support local priorities and identify solutions that have proven successful in municipalities across the region.

SSMMA encourages municipal leaders, staff, and local partners to participate and share their perspectives. Your input is essential to ensuring that the needs, experiences, and priorities of south suburban communities are reflected in future regional planning and investment discussions.

Interested in attending? RSVP details below or contact Meliisa Doud for more information.

RSVP HERE

Meetings and Events

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

2026 Meeting Calendar

Transportation Committee Meeting - Tuesday, June 2 at 2:00pm, Flossmoor Village Hall

Environmental Justice Committee Meeting - Thursday, July 9 at 2:00pm via Zoom

Little Calumet Watershed Planning Meeting - Wednesday, July 15, (TBD - Site Visit)

SSMMA Business Meeting - Thursday, July 16 at 6:00pm via Zoom (On Call)

Celebrate the Southland Gala - Friday, July 24

CANCELED

SSMMA Office Renovations Underway

Please be patient with us as we navigate packing and the temporary move during office renovations. We will return calls and messages as quickly as possible, though response times may be slightly delayed.

The renovation is expected to take approximately 2-3 months. Once we are settled back in, we look forward to hosting an open house to welcome everyone into the updated space.

Additional Grant Opportunities and Resources

• Illinois Climate Bank Opens NOFO for Community Geothermal Planning and Pilot Projects. Learn more.

• Check out Will County's small business assistance resource page.

News from Community Partners

IHDA Opens Strong Communities Program Applications

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) is now accepting applications for its Strong Communities Program (SCP), which provides grant funding to help local governments address vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated residential properties. With $9 million available statewide, eligible municipalities, counties, land banks, and regional planning commissions may apply for grants of up to $750,000 to support activities such as property acquisition, rehabilitation, demolition, and site improvements.

The program is designed to help communities revitalize distressed areas, create new housing opportunities, improve neighborhood safety, and return neglected properties to active use. Applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Learn more.

IDHS Shares Important SNAP Eligibility Updates

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is reminding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers about recent federal changes that may impact eligibility and benefits. Due to new federal work requirements enacted through the federal budget bill, some SNAP recipients may lose benefits if they do not meet or qualify for an exemption from updated requirements.

Illinois residents receiving SNAP are encouraged to use the State of Illinois screening tool to check their eligibility status and determine whether the new rules apply to them. IDHS also encourages impacted individuals to explore available employment and volunteer opportunities through Job Ready IL and Serve IL.

In addition, new federal changes affecting SNAP eligibility for some noncitizens began taking effect April 1, 2026, and will be applied during a recipient’s next eligibility redetermination.

Updated information, resources, and notices are available through IDHS to help residents stay informed and connected to nutrition assistance benefits.

Learn more.

LeadCare Cook County Can Help Your Municipality Comply with State Lead Service Line Replacement Requirements

Illinois’ Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act requires community water suppliers to create a plan to replace lead service lines at high-risk facilities, such as child care facilities. LeadCare Cook County, a program administered by the nonprofit Elevate and Cook County Government, offers free lead service line identification and replacement for licensed and license-exempt home and center-based child care facilities and schools.

Combine Efforts to Support Safe Water!

Your municipality is invited to partner with the LeadCare Cook County program by connecting your residents to it. By connecting child care providers and schools with the program, LeadCare Cook County can offset the pressure put on your municipality to implement your plan. You will need to act fast. LeadCare Cook County will no longer take enrollments after July 31, 2026.

Connect with LeadCare Cook County

Learn more today by visiting LeadCareCookCounty.org/SSMMA, then contact the team at info@LeadCareCookCounty.org or 773‒389‒5657 to request materials to share with your residents.

Illinois Tollway Contracting Event Comes to the South Suburbs

The Illinois Tollway is bringing its next Contracting with Government event to the South Suburbs, offering small business professionals a valuable opportunity to learn how to do business with state agencies. The free event will take place on June 3, 2026, at Governors State University in University Park. Register here.

Attendees can participate in informative seminars on the state certification process and take part in a hands-on learning lab designed to help navigate state contracting portals. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Organizations are encouraged to share this opportunity with their networks. Those interested in hosting an exhibitor table to promote their chamber or organization can reach out directly to kdawson@getipass.com.

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.

Plan Now for the Summer Surplus Vehicle & Equipment Auction

Get ready for the live summer Surplus Vehicle & Equipment Auction, which will be held at noon. July 14 at America’s Auto Auction (America’s AA) in Crestwood. There is plenty of time to participate, and please note that vehicles and equipment can be listed for sale up to the morning of the auction. The next live auctions will be held on October 13 and December 15. In addition, America’s AA hosts online sales on par with other government surplus Internet auctions. For more information, please contact staff or America’s AA

Sales Executive Manager Kasey Salameh, Kasey.salameh@Americasaa.com, 708-389-4488 (office) or 708-953-3069 (mobile).

Mark Your Calendars for the SPC Supplier Showcase

The 2026 Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) Supplier Showcase will take place on Wednesday, August 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Oakton College, 1600 E. Golf Road in Des Plaines. This event provides local government officials and staff from participating councils of government—including SSMMA—the opportunity to meet one-on-one with SPC suppliers and learn about products, services, and solutions available to better serve their communities. Invitations and additional details will be shared with municipal staff and department leaders.

SPC Extends 2027 Ford F-Series Vehicle Contracts with No Price Increases!

This special pricing is part of the third and final, one-year contract extension with Sutton Ford of Matteson, which runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Please note that Sutton Ford is an MBE/WBE Certified vendor. Sutton Ford will provide new order forms next week, which will be posted on the SPC website. For questions or additional

information, don't hesitate to get in touch with staff or Commercial & Fleet Account Executive Scott Ourednik, at 219-670-9099 (cell), 708-720-8040 (office) or sourednik@suttonford.com.

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.