ISACo News and Views Newsletter for September 16, 2019

September 16, 2019

ISACo News and Views

This Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) weekly News and Views e-newsletter announces and mourns the passing of Ogle County Board Chairman and ISACo Board of Directors Member Kim Gouker, reports on issues important to counties awaiting Congressional action, links to an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) circular letter explaining the local government component of the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan, provides an update on litigation against opioid manufacturers, includes information about Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) hazardous waste collection events, issues a reminder that September is National Preparedness Month and invites counties to join ISACo.

2019 Spring Session Resources

ISACo's summary of the major legislative issues addressed during the 2019 Spring legislative session is available via this link.

ISACo's 2019 Public Acts - 2019 report is available via this link.

Please visit our website (www.isacoil.org) for additional resources and information.

Ogle County Board Chairman Gouker Passes Away

ISACo is saddened to announce the passing of Ogle County Board Chairman Kim Gouker on Tuesday, September 10, 2019. Chairman Gouker was a member of the ISACo Board of Directors and will be missed.

Ogle County Board Chairman Kim Gouker Always Put People First (Rockford Register Star)

Congress Returns With Significant To-Do List

Congress returned from its late summer recess on September 9, 2019, with a full plate of issues of interest to counties in need of resolution before the end of 2019.

First and foremost, Congress must approve 12 Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 appropriations bills by a September 30, 2019, deadline.

Congress must also consider reauthorizations for major federal programs, including the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

A host of regulatory issues await Congressional action, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed changes to the current Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) definition. Several important legislative reauthorizations are also in need of enactment.

An update from the National Association of Counties (NACo) on issues awaiting Congressional action is available via this link.

IDOT Letter Explains Local Government Component of the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan

On September 6, 2019, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) issued a circular letter explaining the local highway transportation component of the 2019 Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan.

Of note is that the letter explains how Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) distributions will work. In particular, local governments will receive two distributions per month and the first distribution of extra MFT revenue in the form of a second monthly payment will occur in September.

The IDOT circular letter is available via this link.

Opioid Litigation Update

Tentative Settlement Reached

The largest manufacturer of opioids, Purdue Pharma, announced the company has tentatively agreed to a settlement totaling approximately $12 billion.

Details about the settlement and distribution of revenues remains under negotiation by state and local governments. The settlement, once finalized, would become the first comprehensive settlement against a drug manufacturer for its contributory role in the opioid epidemic. As part of the settlement agreement, Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma in April 2019.

Other legal fronts to hold drug manufacturers accountable remain pending.

A Washington Post article with additional details about the tentative settlement is available via this link.

Illinois Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Opioid Manufacturers

On September 11, 2019, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against several other opioid manufacturers for their roles in the opioid epidemic. From a press release:

According to Raoul's lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, the opioid manufacturers carried out unfair and deceptive marketing campaigns that prioritized profits over public health and resulted in unprecedented levels of opioid prescribing, while the distributors irresponsibly flooded Illinois with opioids, failing in their role as gatekeepers in preventing the diversion of opioids.

Raoul's lawsuit seeks to abate and remedy the statewide public nuisance caused by these companies. Raoul also asks the court to prohibit the manufacturers’ and distributors’ deceptive and unfair conduct in order to ensure it does not happen again in the future, and to hold the companies accountable for the devastation they have caused in Illinois and nationwide.

The full press release from the Attorney General's Office is available via this link.

IEPA Announces Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) announced the Agency has scheduled household hazardous waste collections for the fall of 2019. Illinois EPA household hazardous waste collections provide residents an opportunity to safely dispose of unused or leftover household products commonly found in homes at no cost. Currently, five sites have been confirmed for the fall with an additional three locations being finalized. The additional collections will be announced in the near future.

The IEPA press release with additional information is available via this link.

September is National Preparedness Month in Illinois

National Preparedness Month is recognized each September as a way to promote family and community disaster and emergency planning.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency managers are encouraging Illinoisans to take time to prepare for potential emergencies at homes, at work and in the community. Having a plan that includes where to go and how to communicate during disasters, building an emergency supply kit and learning lifesaving skills could help your family, friends, neighbors and employees during a disaster.

The IEMA press release announcing National Preparedness Month is available via this link.

The Key to ISACo's Success is YOU!

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.

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.