SSMMA Newsletter September 04, 2026

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September 04, 2026

www.ssmma.org

Labor Day is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions and achievements of America's workforce. This holiday provides an opportunity to reflect on the dedication and hard work that strengthen our communities every day.

SSMMA wishes our members, municipal leaders, staff, and residents across the Southland a safe and happy Labor Day. We are grateful for the continued commitment and hard work of our local leaders who serve their communities.

Meet Zach Perkins, SSMMA’s New Transportation Planner!

Zach Perkins has recently joined the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA) as the organization’s new transportation planner following the completion of his Master of Urban Planning & Policy (MUPP) degree from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and undergraduate studies in both Economics and Public Policy Analysis during his time at The Ohio State University. He will serve as the Association’s transportation planning liaison to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency on Planning (CMAP), assisting SSMMA municipalities through our South Council transportation committee and Surface Transportation Program and with other local and regional transportation priorities.

While completing his MUPP degree at UIC, Zach was able to build a deep understanding of transportation systems and needs within the Chicago region through his role as a research assistant with the university’s Urban Transportation Center. In this role, he contributed to research on topics such as customer satisfaction on commuter rail and travel behavior trends of Chicago-area hybrid commuters; he also gained firsthand experience in municipal planning through his role as a planning intern for the Village of Western Springs over the past two summers.

Learn more about Zach and why he’s excited to bring the many skills and perspectives he has gained through these experiences to SSMMA to support the organization’s important work across the South Suburbs in his new role as transportation planner— and plan to meet him in person soon!

SSMMA GIS Team Offering Storm Damage

Mapping and Data Assistance

SSMMA continues to track the storm damage across the Southland in an effort to quantify the scale of damage caused by the recent storms this summer.

SSMMA GIS team is currently assisting municipalities in organizing the data that has been collected by cities and villages and the County's EMRS survey to track damages. See how this data is being organized and tracked by exploring the latest Village of Lynwood Storm Data Map.

Not an SSMMA GIS Consortium member? We can still help your municipality! For more information, contact grant.donahue@ssmma.org.

BECOME A MEMBER

Building Healthier Communities 2030 Sets Shared Health Priorities

Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) has launched Building Healthier Communities 2030, a new Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan designed to guide coordinated efforts to improve the well-being of residents across suburban Cook County through 2030. The plan identifies three shared priorities: mental health and substance use, chronic disease prevention, and maternal and child health.

This week at the September 2nd launch event, SSMMA was recently recognized with a Certificate of Partnership for its collaboration with CCDPH, highlighting the Association’s role in supporting regional efforts to advance community health. The County has also identified improving health equity outcomes in the Southland as an important focus, recognizing the need for coordinated efforts that address the unique health needs and disparities across south suburban communities.

Local governments and community partners are encouraged to participate in workgroups and align existing initiatives with the plan’s priorities. Learn more.

Additional Grant Opportunities and Resources

• Cook County Department of Public Health has a list of grant and funding opportunities. Learn more.

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

News from Community Partners

Apply for Energy Efficiency Grant Funding!

The Illinois EPA is offering $766,600 in grant funding through the Public Buildings Energy Efficiency Program to help municipalities, counties, and other units of local government improve energy efficiency in public buildings. Eligible projects may include insulation, window and lighting upgrades, programmable thermostats, HVAC improvements, high-efficiency appliances, and other energy-saving measures identified through an energy efficiency assessment or audit completed within the past five years.

Grants are capped at $200,000 per grantee, with applications due September 30, 2026. Funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Program.

Learn more.

Cook County Announces Fall Digital Equity Opportunities

Cook County is inviting municipalities and community partners to participate in two upcoming digital equity opportunities this fall. National Digital Inclusion Week, October 4–10, will bring attention to digital access, skills, devices, connectivity and inclusion. Municipalities can host an event, partner with a library or community organization, or promote an existing program. Participating organizations may also apply for a stipend to help support event costs. Register an event or sign up for an information session by September 9.

Municipal leaders and their teams are also encouraged to attend Access Amplified 2026: Where Digital Equity Becomes Action on October 7 at Malcolm X College in Chicago. Cook County’s annual Digital Equity Learning Symposium will feature the launch of the refreshed Cook County Digital Equity Action Plan and updated Digital Equity Map, along with discussions on advancing digital equity across Cook County communities.

Haunted Trails Fundraiser Supporting SSC Foundation Scholarships

Get ready for a spooky evening at South Suburban College! The SSC Honors Program and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) will host a Haunted Trails event on October 29 from 6–7:30 p.m. at Zuccarelli Park on the north side of the main campus. Open to the community, the event will feature haunted scenes throughout the trails, with hot cocoa, cider and candy available for guests. Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased at the door with cash or online in advance.

Proceeds will benefit SSC Foundation scholarships. Bring your family and friends and join SSC for a fun night while supporting student scholarships! 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.

Plan Now for Fall Surplus Vehicle & Equipment Auction

The Surplus Vehicle and Equipment Auction will be held at noon on Tuesday, October 13 at America’s Auto Auction (America’s AA) in Crestwood. Thank you to Harvey and Tinley Park for participating. Please note that vehicles and equipment can be listed for sale right up to the morning of the auction day. The final live auction of the year will be held on Tuesday, December 15.

SPC Extends Currie Motors Ford Contracts

The Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) Governing Board has approved the second of three possible one-year contract extensions with Currie Motors for the following 2027 Ford vehicles:

Contract #228 – F-150 Police Responder: $47,080

Contract #231 – Explorer: $34,643 (decrease)

Contract #232 – F-150 XL: $34,433

The extensions include updated pricing and provide participating agencies with continued access to these vehicles through the SPC cooperative purchasing program.

SPC Extends Sewer Cleaner Truck Contracts

The Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) Governing Board has approved the third of four possible one-year contract extensions with EJ Equipment of Addison for sewer and catch basin cleaner trucks. The extension runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with a 5% price increase.

Contract #215 – 12 Yard Single Engine Combination Sewer & Catch Basin Cleaner: $684,678.96

Contract #216 – 10 Yard Single Engine Combination Sewer & Catch Basin Cleaner: $648,236.93

The extensions provide participating agencies with continued access to these specialized vehicles through the SPC cooperative purchasing program

Prepare Now for Winter

As local governments prepare for winter, the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) and Sourcewell offer competitively awarded contracts for snow and ice management supplies, including salt, brine, and anti-icing/de-icing agents.

SPC Liquid Calcium Chloride Contract #213 (Sicalco)

Price: $0.55/gallon

Delivery: $0.22/gallon

Total: $0.77/gallon

Pricing effective through December 4, 2027

Sourcewell Awards New Contracts

Through the SPC’s strategic alliance with Sourcewell, members now have access to additional contracts recently awarded through competitive solicitations, including:

JOC or IDIQ Program Management Consulting Services
Permanent, Fixed-Message Signage with Related Products and Services
Vehicle Exhaust Removal & Filtering Systems
Street Sweeping, Sewer Jetting, Hydro-Excavation, and Related Public Works as a Service

For more information visit ssmma.org/spc or contact Melissa Doud.

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