October 6, 2023
www.ssmma.org
SSMMA Urges Legislators to Sustain the Governor’s Amendatory Veto of HB 2507 in Veto Session
The South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA) has gone on record with area legislators outlining the importance of sustaining Governor JB Pritzker’s amendatory veto of a line item related to nursing home assessment within House Bill 2507, the Property Tax Omnibus bill. The Governor’s amendatory veto eliminates the property tax break that would have gone to privately-owned nursing home operators in Cook County, saving local homeowners and small businesses from having to bear higher tax bills as a result of the tax break.

Without the amendatory veto, nursing home and mental health facilities would shift their tax burden to already struggling property owners. SSMMA’s position: it is important that the Governor’s amendatory veto be sustained in veto session by General Assembly members to avoid placing an unfair burden on struggling taxpayers that cannot simply “absorb” a higher tax bill.

Read SSMMA’s Fact Sheet for more on this issue, and to view affected communities. IML’s Letter to Legislators and the Governor’s own message to the General Assembly on his amendatory veto can be found directly on SSMMA's website.

What can you do? Contact your legislator and urge that they vote to approve/sustain the Governor’s amendatory veto and do not move to override his changes. Ask that they talk to their legislative colleagues and caucus leadership and sustain the line-item veto of HB 2507 in veto session.

Take action today!
SSMMA Hiring for an Environmental Justice Policy and Government Affairs Specialist
The South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association is looking for an Environmental Justice Policy and Government Affairs Specialist to join our team to support our work advancing inclusive and transformative environmental and economic policies that benefit Chicago’s South Suburbs. Interested applicants can find additional details here.

Contact Sarah Kobetis for more information.
Upcoming Meetings and Events

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

SSMMA Transportation Meeting - October 10 at 2:00pm (In person meeting held at South Chicago Heights Village Hall)

Little Calumet River Watershed Planning Council - October 19 at 4:30pm

SSMMA Business Meeting - October 19 at 6:00pm
SAVE THE DATE!
December 7 at Dream Palace, hosted by Mayor Jada D. Curry & the Village of Lynwood.
Grant Opportunities and Resources
• Applications now open for Stormwater Management Conceptual Projects & Voluntary Flood Prone Property Acquisition Program. Learn more.

• The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced the availability of $4 million in funding for the Small Equipment Grant Program. The program provides grants of up to $26,000 to eligible departments to purchase small tools and equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE). Learn more.

• The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has released the Fiscal Year 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program, with up to $3.16 billion available for planning and construction projects.

• Interested in learning about a grant life cycle or details of grants? The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity offers live upcoming live trainings.

• Find a list of 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
Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership Launches American Job Centers (AJC) Public Awareness ‘Level Up’ Campaign
• The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) is launching a public outreach campaign to increase awareness of the region’s ten American Job Centers (AJCs) to local career seekers and employers.

• The Level Up campaign utilizes video gaming images and copy that speaks to a multi-generational, diverse workforce, and the business community, laying out the quest for success that is part of any successful search. The campaign does not use “government” or “social service speak” to attract users to the LevelUpAJC.org landing page but instead employs ‘gaming’ language and images to represent the ‘stops’ and ‘choices’ one has on a career, or hiring, search.
ComEd Reminds Customers of Bill-Assistance Options During the LIHEAP Application Period
• As the state of Illinois prepares to launch the new, three-phase application period for utility-bill assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), ComEd reminds customers that it offers a wide range of support options for customers of all income levels.

• Each fall, LIHEAP accepts applications for a one-time grant, per program year and with no
payback required, until funding is exhausted. Learn more.
Cook County Government and The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership
• Cook County Government and the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership will host a hiring and career resource event on October 24 from 10:00am-3:00pm at Malcolm X College Auditorium

The Old Plank Road Trail (OPRT) Extension Feasibility Study Project Partners to Hosting Focus Group for Key Stakeholders
• The Old Plank Road Trail (OPRT) Extension Feasibility Study Project Partners invite key stakeholders in the Sauk Village, Lynwood, and the Ford Heights area for an in-person meeting

• This event will be held on October 25 at 4:00 p.m. at the Sauk Village Community Center. Attendees can register and learn more here.
Cook County Launches Residential Solar Installation Program

• This week the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability launched the Cook County Sun and Save program. In partnership with the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC), this initiative installs solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at no cost for income-qualified residences and homeowners in Cook County.

• For general program questions, email sunandsave@sedac.org  
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
Fall NWMC Auction Around the Corner

• The next NWMC Surplus Vehicle & Equipment Auction, is scheduled for noon on Tuesday, October 17 at America’s Auto Auction (America’s AA) in Crestwood. Members are encouraged to participate in this live and online auction as it’s the most effective way for members to save time and earn the highest amount of money on used equipment.

• Please note that vehicles and equipment can be listed in the NWMC auction right up to the morning of the auction day. Sell them now to get a fresh start and please keep in mind that a portion of the proceeds helps support the operations of the organization. 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 Account Executive Berry Ellis, 312-371-5993
or berry.ellis@americasautoauction.com. 
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