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October 17, 2025

www.ssmma.org

SSMMA Mayors' Message to Springfield:

Municipal Pensions Are Not Broken and Do Not "Need a Fix"

SSMMA, working in partnership with other Councils of Governments, is working to inform legislators that the state should not dismantle municipal pension protections that leave taxpayers with the bill. As Illinois General Assembly members consider legislative proposals this veto session and during the upcoming 2026 spring session, municipal leaders across the state urge lawmakers to reject proposals that would expand municipal pension benefits and reverse years of progress toward financial stability.


Proposed pension enhancements would permanently increase costs for taxpayers, forcing local governments to raise property taxes or cut essential services. With the rising costs of housing, energy, insurance, and groceries already straining household budgets, Illinois residents simply cannot afford higher property taxes to fund new pension mandates.


Municipal pension enhancements are a bad idea because:


  1. Enhancements will have a negative impact on taxpayers.
  2. Municipalities already provide municipal employees with a generous, stable and constitutionally protected retirement.
  3. Municipal pensions satisfy all federal requirements.


Current reforms are working. While pension contributions continue to rise faster than inflation, the reforms enacted after the Great Recession have saved—and will continue to save—taxpayers millions of dollars each year. Undoing these sensible measures would put communities back on a path toward financial crisis.


Illinois’ municipal employees already receive strong, guaranteed pensions that far exceed the retirement security most private-sector workers can expect. These benefits are constitutionally protected and already provide financial security for retirees without further expansion.


Read the recent letter from SSMMA and other Councils of Government to the Illinois General Assembly letting them know that Illinois residents cannot afford higher property taxes to support unnessary changes to municipal benefit levels. Stay informed by visiting www.investincommunities.org.

YOU'RE INVITED: 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 and visit the event page for additional details. Registration will open in October. 


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


2026 Meeting Calendar


SSMMA Environmental Justice Meeting - October 23 at 2:00pm via Zoom


SSMMA Transportation Meeting - November 4, at 2:00pm at Flossmoor Village Hall


SSMMA Public Safety Meeting - Novemer 13, at 8:30am at SSMMA offices

Additional Grant Opportunities and Resources

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


• 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 Rolls Out Free Saturday Vaccination

Clinics for the Season

Cook County residents can receive free flu and COVID-19 vaccines at Saturday clinics hosted by the Cook County Department of Public Health, Cook County Health, and CountyCare from October 18 through March 28.


Clinics will rotate among five Cook County Health sites in Blue Island, Robbins, Ford Heights, Arlington Heights, and North Riverside. The first clinic will take place on Saturday, October 18, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Robbins Health Center, located at 13450 S. Kedzie Ave. No appointment is required.


Vaccines are recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older.

Find more information here.

Low-Income Energy Efficiency Outreach & Engagement Grant Program


Local governments and community-based organizations in ComEd’s service territory can apply for grants up to $25,000 to support education and outreach for low-income households. Projects may include energy efficiency education or promoting utility-supported programs. No matching funds are required.


Intent to apply (optional) is due by October 22, 2025, and applications are due November 5, 2025. Awards will be announced by November 12, 2025. For details and to apply, contact Tori Woolbright at twoolbright@mayorscaucus.org.


Find all application details here.

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

LAST CALL! 2025 Fall Auction


Thank you to Crete, Homewood, and Tinley Park for registering for the last live auction of the year. The fall Surplus Vehicle and Equipment Auction will be held at noon on Tuesday, October 21, at America’s Auto Auction in Crestwood. Please note that vehicles and equipment can be listed for disposal right up to the morning of the auction day. For more information, please contact the staff or America’s AA Sales Executive Manager, Maria Cortez, 708-389-4488.


SPC Awards New 2026 Ford Explorer Contract


The Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) has awarded the 2026 Ford Expedition contract (#233) to Currie Motors of Frankfort. The contract runs through October 13, 2026, with a base price of $50,567 and standard equipment included. SPC may extend the contract for up to three additional one-year terms. For questions, contact Currie Motors Commercial Accounts Manager Nic Cortellini.


Checkout 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.