This Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) weekly
News and Views
e-newsletter reports on cannabis and ethics legislation signed into law by Governor Pritzker, conveys that counties can expect to receive a free flag retirement box in the coming weeks, includes information about registration for the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2020 Legislative Conference, asks county officials to follow ISACo on social media and invites counties to join ISACo.
2019 Spring Session Resources
ISACo's summary of the major legislative issues addressed during the 2019 legislative session is
available via this link.
(UPDATED)
COUNTIES COUNT!
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Governor Pritzker Signs Cannabis Trailer Bill into Law
On Wednesday, December 4, 2019, Governor JB Pritzker signed the recreational cannabis trailer bill into law as P.A. 101-0593.
Of importance to counties is that the new law moves up the date by which collection of the locally-imposed cannabis sales tax can begin by two months. Local tax ordinances filed with the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) on or before April 1, 2020 (currently June 1, 2020) will result in tax collections beginning on July 1, 2020 (currently September 1, 2020).
ISACo supported the bill as it was being considered in the General Assembly.
Other provisions relevant to local governments include the following:
- Authorizes local governments to permit retail tobacco stores to offer on-premise consumption of cannabis in specially-designated areas of the store.
- Authorizes local governments to allow dispensing organizations to have on-site consumption under certain circumstances.
- Strengthens employer protections when enforcing reasonable drug-free workplace polices.
- Permits employers to prohibit, or take disciplinary action against, law enforcement officers, corrections officers, probation officers, paramedics and firefighters for consumption, possession, sales, purchase or delivery of cannabis-infused substances while on or off-duty.
- Alters the expungement process.
A press release about the enactment into law of P.A. 101-0593 is
available here.
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Ethics Legislation Enacted into Law
The new law requires that additional information be included on statements of economic interest and increases lobbyist disclosure requirements. Subject to disclosure is whether lobbyists are elected officials anywhere in Illinois, whether they are registered lobbyists in any unit of local government and whether they subcontract with other lobbyists.
The new law requires the Secretary of State’s office to create a publicly accessible and searchable database combining registered lobbyist disclosures, contributions by registered lobbyists and statements of economic interest.
On a related note, the General Assembly approved
House Joint Resolution 93 (Representative Harris, D-Chicago/Senator Castro, D-Elgin)
during the Veto Session. The resolution establishes a joint commission to review and make additional recommendations for changes to the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, the Lobbyist Registration Act and the Public Officers Prohibited Activities Act.
The joint commission will issue a report on its review and recommendations to the General Assembly, Governor, Attorney General, Treasurer, Comptroller and Secretary of State by March 31, 2020.
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Custom Flag Retirement Boxes
ISACo is partnering with the National Association of Counties (NACo) to provide Illinois counties with flag retirement boxes. There is no charge associated with the box.
The box will be delivered to your county within the coming weeks. Upon receiving the box, your county is encouraged to make residents aware that the box is available for purposes of retiring flags in the proper manner.
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Registration Open for NACo Legislative Conference
The NACo Legislative Conference brings together nearly 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that impact counties and their residents. Attendees have the opportunity to engage in second-to-none policy sessions, interact with federal officials and participate in congressional briefings and meetings. This is a one-of-a-kind advocacy opportunity you will not want to miss.
ISACo is planning an event for Illinois attendees. Registrants from Illinois will receive information about this event at a later date.
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Follow ISACo on Social Media
A great way to stay current on issues affecting or of interest to counties is by following ISACo on social media. Please follow our Facebook page and Twitter feed and join the conversation!
@Isacoil
@IsacoTweets
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The Key to ISACo's Success is YOU!
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Is your county a member of ISACo? If not, why not?
ISACo is a statewide association whose mission is to empower county officials to provide excellent service to their residents.
ISACo member counties are comprised of forward-thinking public servants who recognize that the challenges confronting county governments require new and innovative ideas, collaborative solutions and collective advocacy at the state and federal levels of government.
Members of the association will benefit from education and training opportunities, peer-to-peer networking, shared resources and robust representation before policymakers at various levels of government. ISACo creates and connects county officials to these opportunities and successfully equips them to make counties ideal places to live, work and play.
If your county is interested in discussing membership in ISACo, please contact Executive Director Joe McCoy at (217) 679-3368 or jmccoy@isacoil.org. Thank you for your consideration.
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News and Views
is a service provided by ISACo for county officials and staff. Please feel welcome to share with interested parties. You can contact ISACo Executive Director Joe McCoy at jmccoy@isacoil.org or (217) 679-3368 if we can be of service. Thank you for your support of ISACo.
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