This Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) weekly News and Views e-newsletter provides information about resources to support local election officials, reports on COVID-19 relief actions taken by President Trump, informs about a new deadline for census data collection, shares an update about new COVID-19 mitigation measures in Region 4, provides information about upcoming NACo webinar opportunities, spotlights ISACo corporate partner Nationwide and invites counties to join ISACo.
COUNTIES COUNT!
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U.S. Election Assistance Commission Releases New Resources to Support Local Election Officials
NACo Update:
On August 19, 2020, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) released a newsletter that includes resources to support local elections officials as they work to prepare for the 2020 presidential election while also addressing new challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Included in the August newsletter is information pertaining to election-related Coronavirus resources, absentee and vote-by-mail guidance and best uses for Help American Vote Act (HAVA) emergency funds made available under the CARES Act.
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President Takes Executive Action in Absence of Congressional Deal on COVID-19 Relief Package
NACo Update:
On August 8, 2020, President Trump released a series of administrative actions, an executive order and three memorandums to address the expiration of federal unemployment benefits and provide other assistance for U.S. residents negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The executive order is intended to prevent rental evictions and mortgage foreclosures, while the memoranda focus on providing new payroll tax cuts, partially extending federal unemployment benefits with monetary contributions from states as well as extending student loan payment relief.
The actions taken by the administration do not address NACo’s main priority for COVID relief which is additional flexible fiscal aid for state and local governments of all sizes.
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U.S. Census Bureau Announces New Data Collection Deadline
NACo Update:
The U.S. Census Bureau announced that both self-response and field data collection will end by September 30, 2020. This is a significant change from the Census Bureau’s April 2020 announcement where the agency stated it would need at least until October 31, 2020, to finish the count and requested that Congress provide a four-month extension because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Counties support an accurate and fair census count, which impacts billions of dollars in federal funding for social programs as well as political representation. Since early 2019, many counties around the country have been hard at work preparing for the 2020 Census by organizing local Complete Count Committees, coordinating with other governmental partners and developing relationships with community organizations.
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COVID-19 Mitigation Measures in Region 4
Region 4 is the first of Illinois’ 11 regions to reach resurgence criteria triggering new mitigation measures effective August 18, 2020.
Region 4 includes Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington counties.
Region 4 mitigation measures include the following:
- Meetings, social events, and other gatherings are now limited to the lesser of 25 individuals or 25 percent of overall room capacity.
- All bars, restaurants, gaming facilities, and casinos will close at 11 pm, matching the newly imposed closing times for St. Louis.
- All reception halls closed.
- Party buses not allowed to operate.
- Reservations required for each party at restaurants and bars, and no congregating indoors or outdoors.
- Indoor tables reduced to six people or less.
- No dancing indoors.
- Removal of bar stools at bars to help prevent congregating.
- Tables should continue to be six feet apart.
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Upcoming NACo Webinars
NACo has announced the following upcoming webinars:
NACo Town Hall: Ensuring Safety in Local Businesses During the Pandemic
(Tuesday, August 25, 2020, from 1pm – 2pm CST)
Join NACo for a discussion on data-driven decision making and innovative approaches to ensuring local businesses, retailers and restaurants can operate safely during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This town hall will provide an inside look at how county leaders, major retailers and researchers are approaching new ways of operating that prioritize the health and safety of residents, workers, customers and communities.
COVID-19 Impacts on County Finances: Municipal Bonds, Credit Ratings and Issuing New Debt
(Wednesday, August 26, 2020, from 12pm – 1pm CST)
COVID-19 has impacted municipal finance on every level, altering revenue projects, municipal markets and long-term planning for county governments. Each of these changes impacts how counties will meet their wide-ranging financial obligations. In this webinar, you will hear from counties who are navigating these changes and learn from ratings agencies and municipal advisors on how COVID-19 could impact your credit rating as well as existing and new issuances.
How Counties are Investing CARES Act Dollars in Social Safety Net Services
(Thursday, August 27, 2020, from 1pm – 2pm CST)
Each year, counties invest $58 billion in federal, state and local dollars on human services while serving as the frontline social safety net. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, counties are investing in critical public assistance services and programs to better support their residents and communities impacted by the pandemic. With the authorization of the Coronavirus Relief Fund under the CARES Act, many counties are using these dollars towards child care support, nutrition assistance and services to older Americans. Join NACo for a webinar to hear from county leaders about how their CRF plans are working towards supporting individuals most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Corporate Partner Spotlight
This week's corporate partner spotlight highlights ISACo's partnership with Nationwide.
Over the past 85 years, focusing on customers and valuing people have helped Nationwide become one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in the world.
Even though Nationwide has dozens of affiliated companies, people are its biggest resource – and its greatest asset in providing excellent customer service to its customers. That’s why its Supply Management Services group makes sure agents and associates get the best quality products and services, at the best possible cost. It’s also why Nationwide has an Office of Customer Advocacy.
Click on this link to learn more about the benefits and opportunities available through ISACo's Corporate Partner Program
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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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