November 18, 2022
www.ssmma.org
Have You Registered for SSMMA's Annual Holiday Jingle & Mingle?
SSMMA'S Annual Jingle and Mingle will be on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 6:00pm. Hosted by Mayor John Ryan and the Village of Alsip, this festive celebration will take place at the Alsip Double Tree Hotel.

We look forward to celebrating with our members and partners as we enjoy a special holiday performance and give table prizes to winners throughout the evening. Festive attire is suggested and we will be awarding prizes for the best holiday outfit and tie! Registration is due by November 23.

Special thanks to all of our sponsors: Comcast, ComEd, Nicor Gas, HRGreen, AT&T, and Fifth Third Bank. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Melissa Doud.

The South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association would like to wish everyone a safe and joyful Thanksgiving. We are grateful for the support of our members, associates, and colleagues.

Upcoming Meetings and Events


Click here to view SSMMA's 2023 meeting schedule.

Transportation Committee Meeting- December 6 at 2:00pm
Public Health Information
• Monkey Pox vaccinations are now offered at several clinics throughout suburban Cook County. Learn more.

• Cook County Department of Public Health will be releasing the Cook County Health Survey to learn more about the environmental, neighborhood, and social factors related to health.

• On November 19, CCDPH will partner with Grace United Church in Sauk Village for a Fall Family Wellness Fair. Find a clinic.

• Will County Health Department offers vaccination clinics for residents. Learn more.
COVID-19 Updates
• SSMMA's COVID Vaccine Tracker shows that the current regional vaccination rate is 56.8%, compared to 74.5% statewide.

• As of November 18, the positivity rate for Suburban Cook County reports low according to the CDC level.

• IDPH Urges All Who Are Eligible to Get Up to Date With Newly Approved Bivalent Booster Shots. Learn more.

Business & Residential Resources
• The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund program is now accepting applications for assistance. The Illinois Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) provides up to $60,000 in mortgage assistance to eligible homeowners — paid directly to the servicer, taxing body, or other approved entity. Learn more.
• State of Illinois Launches $5 Million Grant Match Program to Spur Innovation in Cutting Edge Technologies. Learn more.

• Illinois Not-for-Profit Security Grant Program provides $20 million for organizations at risk of terrorist attack. Learn more.

• Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) offers a list of FY23 grant opportunities for eligible organizations. Learn more.

• Check out the latest list of Federal and DCEO grant opportunities here.

• Check out Will County's small business assistance resource page.
News from Community Partners
CCDPH Announces Open Call for Over $14 million in Community Grants for Behavioral Health Interventions  
• Cook County Department of Public Health will be awarding over $14 million in grant funding across four years to expand mental health and substance use prevention, treatment and support in suburban Cook County.

• Grants will range from $250,000 to over $1 million each and are part of the Building Healthy Communities Behavioral Health Initiative, funded under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).The application deadline is December 7.

Moving South Cook County: Truck Routing and Communities Study
• Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways is conducting a study to improve truck routing and infrastructure and address community concerns and safety issues.

• The two study areas, are North of I-80 and South of I-80. Learn more.
IDOT Competitive Freight Program Call For Projects
• The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking project proposals for a new competitive grant program that aims to improve the mobility of freight throughout the State of Illinois.

• Applications are due December 19. Learn more.
• Cook County will be donating heavy equipment for free to suburban Cook municipalities and townships. Government entities with the highest need will be prioritized.

• Applications close on November 21. Learn more.
• Do you have thoughts on how to extend the Old Plank Road Trail from Illinois to Indiana?

• The Old Plank Road Trail Extension Feasibility Study is assessing the potential to connect the existing Old Plank Road Trail eastern terminus
in Chicago Heights, Illinois to the Pennsey Greenway in Schererville, Indiana via an inactive rail line. Learn more.
Illinois Firefighters Pension Investment Fund Electing for Board of Trustees
• IFPIF will be conducting elections for a member of its board of trustees, as established by the legislation to consolidate downstate and suburban firefighters' pension fund. IML has endorsed Naperville City Manager Doug Krieger for election to the board.

• Returned ballots must be received by December 1, 2022. Learn more.

Office of the State Fire Marshal Grant and Loan Application Programs Now Open
• The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is accepting applications for the Small Equipment Grant Program (SEGP).

• SEGP was established to provide grants up to $26,000 for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. The application period ends on November 30. Learn more.
National Saftey Counsel Offering Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grants
• Applications are now open for the latest round of Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grants.

• Grants can be used to kick-start new initiatives or grow existing efforts. The application deadline is January 6. Learn more.
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

SPC Renews Granite Telecommunications Contract with No Price Increases

• The Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) Governing Board is pleased to announce the first of four possible, one-year contract extensions on the SPC Telecommunications Contract (#205) with Granite Telecommunications, LLC.

• The extension runs from December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2023 with no price increases. Please visit the SPC Telecommunications program webpage to learn more about Granite’s services and prices. For questions or additional information, please contact staff or Granite Senior Sales Executive for Illinois Government and Education
Frank Ventrella, 630-649-0823 or FVentrella@granitenet.com.
Click here for more information about the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative and to view the current SPC Catalog.
Have something you'd like included in our next newsletter? Email it to news@ssmma.org.