This Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) weekly
News and Views
newsletter reports on an ISACo meeting with the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, provides an update on an IMRF policy change that will result in increased employer costs, includes legislation of interest that advanced during the past week, provides links to ISACo's social media platforms, looks at key upcoming dates on the legislative calendar and invites counties to join ISACo.
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ISACo Discusses Rural Broadband Issues with Ag Director
On Tuesday, April 2, ISACo Executive Director Joe McCoy met with Illinois Department of Agriculture Acting Director John Sullivan to discuss both ISACo and rural broadband expansion policy.
As previously reported, ISACo is participating on the Department of Agriculture's Rural Broadband Working Group to assist with developing policies to expand rural broadband into underserved areas of the state.
During the meeting, ISACo shared information about a National Association of Counties (NACo) technology initiative that utilizes crowdsourcing to test broadband speed capability. Anyone can participate in this initiative by downloading NACo's free TestIT mobile app. The app is available from the iTunes and Google Play stores.
No personal information is collected while using the app and the results are aggregated with other users to effectively map out connectivity quality throughout the nation. This data will assist in determining the areas in most need of enhanced broadband access. You can
read more about the TestIT app here
. Please download the free app and test your area's connection speed.
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ISACo Participating on Cannabis Taxation and Revenue Working Group
ISACo was invited by the Governor's Office to represent counties on one of six working groups being assembled to offer input concerning legislation to legalize recreational cannabis.
While ISACo does not have a position on legalizing recreational cannabis, legislators are moving forward with the development of draft legislation to pursue legalization. ISACo is representing counties on the "tax structure and revenue allocation" working group to review language and offer input concerning local taxation and revenue allocation as the legislation is drafted.
Events are occurring rapidly and multiple meetings of the working groups are scheduled to be held over a period of three weeks. The first meeting of the "tax structure and revenue allocation" working group was held on the evening of Wednesday, April 3. ISACo attended that meeting and will continue to advocate for local control and local revenue options as legislation is developed. ISACo staff provided an update to the ISACo Board of Directors during its meeting on Friday, April 5. Look for additional information in future
News and Views
e-newsletters.
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ISACo Board Member Promotes Local Role in Achieving Accurate Census Count
Cook County Commissioner and ISACo Board Member Stanley Moore was quoted about the importance of obtaining an accurate population count in a March 18, 2019, NACo County News article (
available via this link
). From the article:
The results of the census will determine how more than $900 billion in annual funding is allocated and congressional seats are apportioned, which could change in 13 states.
“Illinois lost a congressional seat after the 2010 census and we could lose one or two more,” Cook County, Ill. Commissioner Stanley Moore told the Rural Action Caucus at its March 4 meeting during NACo’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.
“This isn’t a Republican issue or a Democratic issue, this is a national issue.”
ISACo's February 15 News and Views e-newsletter (
available via this link
) urged counties to establish complete count commissions. Complete count commissions consist of appointed members tasked with organizing the county's decennial census effort. The commission would create a plan and oversee the execution of the plan in order to educate residents on the importance of participating in the census.
ISACo obtained an ordinance approved by the Cook County Board of Commissioners to create a Complete Count Census Commission for Cook County. While this ordinance
(available via this link as a Word document)
was drafted specifically for Cook County, the language can be modified and customized by other counties seeking to establish a similar commission.
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Legislation Approved by One or Both Chambers
The following ISACo-tracked bills were approved in the House and/or Senate during the week of April 1-5.
Bills Approved by both Chambers
Local Wind Energy Regulation (Representative Williams, D-Chicago/Senator Cunningham, D-Chicago)
House Bill 29
88
(available via this link)
amends the Counties Code. In provisions concerning winds farms and electric-generating wind devices, makes the provisions applicable even if a county has or has not formed a zoning commission and adopted formal zoning. Clarifies that only a county may establish standards for wind farms, electric-generating wind devices, and commercial wind energy facilities in unincorporated areas of the county outside of the zoning jurisdiction of a municipality and outside the 1.5 mile radius surrounding the zoning jurisdiction of a municipality.
The bill was approved by the House and Senate and will next be considered by the Governor. ISACo Supports
Bills Approved by the Senate
Cook County Expungement Pilot Program Extension (Senator Collins, D-Chicago)
Senate Bill 482 (
available via this link
) would a
mend provisions of the Criminal Identification Act regarding a pilot program to waive fees in Cook County for filing certain petitions to expunge or seal records. Changes the date on which the program becomes inoperative from January 1, 2019 to January 1, 2021.
The bill was approved by the Senate and will next be considered in the House.
Juvenile Court -Applicability to Minors (Senator Fine, D-Glenview/Representative Feigenholtz, D-Chicago)
Senate Bill 1116 (
available via this link
) would a
mend the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 to provide that "neglected" for purposes of the Act includes any minor under 18 years of age or a minor 18 years of age or older for whom the court has made a finding of probable cause to believe the that minor is abused, neglected, or dependent under the Act prior to the minor's 18th birthday. Provides that those who are dependent include any minor under 18 years of age or a minor 18 years of age or older for whom the court has made a finding of probable cause to believe the that minor is abused, neglected, or dependent under the Act prior to the minor's 18th birthday. Provides that these changes apply to a case that is pending on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act.
The bill was approved by the Senate and will next be considered in the House.
FOIA/Elections-Cybersecurity (Senator Link, D-Gurnee)
Senate Bill 1863 (
available via this link
)
would a
mend the Freedom of Information Act to exempt from disclosure risk and vulnerability assessments, security measures, schedules, certifications, and response policies or plans that are designed to detect, defend against, prevent, or respond to potential cyber attacks upon the State's or an election authority's network systems, or records that the disclosure of which would, in any way, constitute a risk to the proper administration of elections or voter registration. Provides that the information is exempt only to the extent that disclosure could reasonably be expected to jeopardize the effectiveness of the measures or the safety of computer systems. Provides that the exemption applies to records held by the State Board of Elections, the Department of Innovation and Technology, election authorities, and any other necessary party to protect the administration of elections. Amends the Election Code. In provisions governing the administration of the cyber navigator program, directs the allocation of resources received in accordance with the 2018 Help America Vote Act Election Security Grant (instead of the allocation of resources received in accordance with the federal Help America Vote Act).
The bill was approved by the Senate and will next be considered in the House.
Bills Approved by the House
Public Officers-Hiring Self (Representative Manley, D-Romeoville)
House Bill 3501 (
available via this link
) would amend the
Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act to provide that an elected or appointed official of a unit of local government many not hire or appoint himself or herself to a second position in the unit of local government if the second position is a salaried or hourly position. Allows the governing body of the unit of local government to hire or appoint an elected or appointed official to a second position in the unit of local government with a salary or hourly wages by ordinance or resolution if the ordinance or resolution states the salary or total compensation of an hourly position.
The bill was approved by the House and will next be considered in the Senate.
Hospital-Health Insurance Posting Requirement (Representative Ortiz, D-Chicago/Senator Martinez, D-Chicago)
House Bill 3487 (
available via this link
) would amend the
University of Illinois Hospital Act and Hospital Licensing Act to provide that each hospital shall post, in each facility that has an emergency room, a notice in a conspicuous location in the emergency room with information about how to enroll in health insurance through the Illinois health insurance marketplace.
The bill was approved by the House and will next be considered in the Senate.
Posting of Information about IMRF Participation (Representative Mazzochi, R-Westmont)
House Bill 3263 (
available via this link
) would amend the Open Meetings Act to provide that a participating municipality or instrumentality shall post on its publicly available website, if the participating municipality or instrumentality maintains a publicly available website: (1) all documents pertaining to the municipality's or instrumentality's adoption of a resolution to participate in the Fund if the municipality or instrumentality has adopted such a resolution; (2) all documents pertaining to the municipality's or instrumentality's annual projected future contributions to the Fund; and (3) information about the amount of the municipality's or instrumentality's past required contributions to the Fund for each year of participation. Provides that the public posting requirement does not require a participating municipality or instrumentality to post on its website information that is not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State.
The bill was approved by the House and will next be considered in the Senate.
Removal of Appointed Officials (Representative Halbrook, R-Shelbyville)
House Bill 3148 (
available via this link
) would create the Local Volunteer Board Member Removal Act. Provides that the person or entity that appointed a member of a volunteer board or commission may remove that member for misconduct, official misconduct, or neglect of office. Provides that removal under the Act is in addition to any other method of removal provided by law.
The bill was approved by the House and will next be considered in the Senate.
Juvenile Court-Neglected Minor
(Representative Sosnowski, R-Rockford/Senator McConchie, R-Hawthorn Woods)
House Bill 2334 (
available via this link
) would amend the
Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that a neglected minor includes any minor under the age of 12 (rather than 14) years whose parent or other person responsible for the minor's welfare leaves the minor without supervision for an unreasonable period of time without regard for the mental or physical health, safety, or welfare of that minor. Provides that neglect does not include permitting a child, whose basic needs are met and who is of sufficient age and maturity to avoid harm or unreasonable risk of harm, to engage in independent activities, including: (1) traveling to and from school, including by walking, running, or bicycling; (2) traveling to and from nearby commercial or recreational activities; (3) engaging in outdoor play; (4) remaining in a vehicle unattended, except as otherwise provided by law; (5) remaining at home unattended; or (6) engaging in a similar independent activity. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits child abandonment when he or she, as a parent, guardian, or other person having physical custody or control of a child, without regard for the mental or physical health, safety, or welfare of that child, knowingly leaves that child who is under the age of 12 (rather than 13) without supervision by a responsible person over the age of 14 for a period of 24 hours or more.
The bill was approved by the House and will next be considered in the Senate.
McHenry Township and Road District Dissolution (Representative McSweeney, R-Cary)
House Bill 348 (
available via this link
) would provide that the board of trustees of any township located in McHenry County may submit a proposition to dissolve the township to the township electors or township electors may petition for a referendum to dissolve a township. Provides for the transfer of real and personal property, and any other assets, together with all personnel, contractual obligations, and liabilities of the dissolving township to McHenry County. Provides that all road districts wholly within the boundaries of the dissolving township are dissolved on the date of dissolution of the dissolving township and the powers and responsibilities of the road district are transferred to McHenry County. Provides that municipalities within the dissolving township may elect to assume the duties and responsibilities of the road district or road districts. Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that any township in Lake County or McHenry County shall abolish a road district of that township if the roads of the road district are less than 15 miles in length. Provides that the township board of trustees may enter into a contract with the county, a municipality, or a private contractor to administer the roads added to its jurisdiction.
The bill was approved by the House, but a motion was filed to reconsider the vote. This parliamentary maneuver will prevent the bill from being transmitted to the Senate until the motion is withdrawn.
Fire Hazards (Representative Willis, D-Northlake/Senator Cullerton, D-Chicago)
House Bill 105 (
available via this link
) would amend the Fire Investigation Act to replace "the Office of the State Fire Marshal" with "the Office." Provides that the Office shall identify dangerous conditions or fire hazards and notify the owner, occupant, or other person interested in the premises. Provides that if no corrective action is taken by the owner, occupant, or other person interested in a premises to remove or remedy dangerous conditions or fire hazards within a reasonable time, as determined by the Office or the local authority having jurisdiction, an order shall be served upon the owner, occupant, or other person interested in the premises directing that the dangerous condition be removed or remedied immediately. Provides service and procedural requirements regarding the owner, occupant, or person interested in the premises. Provides that the Act's provisions regarding enforcement, service, and procedural requirements are not applicable within the geographical boundaries of home rule units that have adopted fire prevention and life safety standards by local ordinance, except with respect to State-owned buildings or State licensed facilities. Provides that the Act's provisions are severable.
The bill was approved by the House and will next be considered in the Senate.
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Follow ISACo on Social Media
ISACo is getting social! We've established a presence on Facebook and Twitter to provide another tool for communication with Illinois county officials and other interested parties. Please follow our Facebook page and Twitter feed and join the conversation!
@Isacoil
@IsacoTweets
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Looking Ahead...
The House and Senate are scheduled to be in session next week from April 9-12.
The deadline to move House bills out of the House and Senate bills out of the Senate is April 12.
Following adjournment on April 12, the General Assembly will not convene again until April 30.
The deadline to move House bills out of Senate committees and Senate bills out of House committees is May 10.
The deadline to move House bills out of the Senate and Senate bills out of the House is May 24.
Both chambers are scheduled to adjourn on May 31.
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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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