ISACo News and Views Newsletter for July 22, 2019

July 22, 2019

ISACo News and Views

This Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) weekly News and Views newsletter includes an update on bills enacted into law by the Governor, links to articles concerning pertinent federal policy issues, encourages counties to share information about NACo's "TestIT" app to help gauge broadband speed capacity throughout the state, reports on a NACo Achievement Award presented to DuPage County, includes links to ISACo Policy Briefs 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 Bills of Interest to Counties Approved by the General Assembly - 2019 report is available via this link.

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

Governor Bill Actions

Last week, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed several bills into law. Some of the bills affect or are of interest to counties. They are as follows:

HB 2433 - Blood Pressure Instruments in Hospitals

The new law ( available via this link ) e nsures hospitals have the proper instruments for taking the blood pressure of pregnant women and requires the Department of Public Health to adopt rules for implementation. Effective January 1, 2020.

HB 3039 - Resident Medicaid Eligibility Notification to Long-Term Care Facilities

The new law ( available via this link ) c reates a process for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to notify a long-term care facility if an individual's Medicaid eligibility has been terminated. Effective January 1, 2020.

HB 3040 - Notice of Continued Eligibility of Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities

The new law ( available via this link ) requires that an annual notice concerning re-determination of eligibility be sent to the long-term care facility where an individual resides as well as to the individual. Effective January 1, 2020.

HB 3334 - Gambling and Raffle Changes

The new law ( available via this link ) m odernizes distance restrictions for intertrack and wagering locations near churches and existing schools and reduces restrictions on raffles. Effective immediately.

HB 3343 - SNAP Restaurant Meals Program

The new law ( available via this link ) c reates a SNAP Restaurant Meals Program for elderly, people with disabilities, or people experiencing homelessness. Effective immediately.

Federal Policy News

Treasury Wrestles with How to Measure Success in Opportunity Zones

Pelosi, Mnuchin Appear Close to Spending Caps, Debt Limit Deal

U.S. House Overwhelmingly Approves Legislation to Fully Repeal the Cadillac Tax

Blue States Sue Treasury, IRS Over Rules Blocking Trump Tax Law Workarounds

NACo Encourages Counties to Promote "TestIT" App

The National Association of Counties (NACo) is promoting a 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 ( link here ) and Google Play ( link here ) 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.

DuPage County Recognized for Shared Services Initiative

ISACo congratulates DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin along with the DuPage County Board and staff for receiving a 2019 NACo Achievement Award during the 2019 NACo Annual Conference in Clark County, Nevada.

In an effort to reduce government redundancies, DuPage County's Stormwater Management Department developed a shared services program to assist municipalities and townships with meeting water quality and stormwater management goals and initiatives. To do so, DuPage County entered into intergovernmental agreements with 41 municipalities and townships to form a countywide water quality program.

A video of the award presentation is available via this link.

ISACo Policy Briefs

ISACo has created a page on our website for published policy briefs. The page is available via this link.

The following policy briefs have been published to date for bills approved by the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor:

Recreational Cannabis and Local Governments ( linked here )

Leveling the Playing Field for Illinois Retail Law ( linked here )

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.