This Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) weekly News and Views e-newsletter includes an announcement about the application period for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP), reports on new COVID-19 mitigation efforts for Region 7, announces the availability of Community Revitalization grants, provides information about an Executive Order that reissues several COVID-19 regulations, announces the availability of various hazard mitigation funds through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), reports on an Appellate Court decision concerning prison transfers, shares information about the National Association of Counties (NACo) High Performance Leadership Academy, references an upcoming NACo webinar opportunity, spotlights ISACo corporate partner Wight & Company and invites counties to join ISACo.
COUNTIES COUNT!
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Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Application Period Open
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced on August 25, 2020, that the application period for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) is open. This year's program is the largest ever due to the passage of the Rebuild Illinois capital plan.
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State Public Health Officials Announce New COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts for Region 7
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced new COVID-19 mitigation efforts in Region 7 (the greater Will and Kankakee County areas), beginning Wednesday, August 26, 2020, after the region reached 8 percent positivity for three days.
Region 4, the Metro East region, which is already operating under additional mitigations, continues to report increasing COVID-19 positivity rates and will have until September 2, 2020, at the current mitigation level before the state must move to impose further mitigation in the region.
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Illinois Housing Development Authority Releases Applications for Community Revitalization Grants
On August 25, 2020, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced that $10 million in funding is available to support affordable housing and community revitalization efforts in communities across the state.
Counties, municipalities and land banks may apply for grants through the state's Strong Communities Program, a new program that assists local government agencies with the acquisition, maintenance, rehabilitation and demolition of abandoned residential properties in their communities.
The program is funded by the Rebuild Illinois capital plan. The application period will remain open until September 28, 2020, at 3 p.m. (CST). The application is available via this link.
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Executive Order Reissues Existing COVID-19 Regulations
Governor J.B. Pritzker extended Executive Order (EO) 2020-25 - linked here, which includes limits on garnishments and wage deductions. It is now in effect until Sept. 19, 2020.
The extension is part of a new order (EO 2020-52 - linked here) that continues or reissues several existing regulations related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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IEMA Announces Notice of Funding Opportunity for Local Governments to Improve Disaster Resiliency
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) announced on August 27, 2020, a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to help local governments fund hazard mitigation projects as a way to reduce a community’s risks for disasters and other hazards.
Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) are both nationally competitive grant programs that are submitted through IEMA, but funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
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Appellate Court Issues Stay on Injunction That Required Continuation of Prison Transfers Despite Executive Order
On August 20, 2020, the Fourth Appellate District Court stayed a Logan County Judge’s prior ruling in Landers vs. Pritzker that the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) must accept inmates within 14 days of a transfer. The lawsuit was filed following an Executive Order halting prison transfers from county jails during the pandemic.
The Appellate Court decision means that prison transfers may indeed be halted per the Governor's Executive Order (EO) 2020-50 - linked here.
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NACo High Performance Leadership Academy
Join the 2,000 county leaders from across the United States already benefiting from the National Association of Counties (NACo) High Performance Leadership Academy (HPLA). This is a 12-week online leadership program led by General Colin Powell.
With a robust curriculum developed by the Professional Development Academy (PDA) in partnership with Fortune 1000 executives, public sector leaders, world-renowned academics and thought leaders, including General Colin Powell and Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, HPLA was designed specifically for the unique challenges and opportunities of serving in county government.
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Upcoming NACo Webinar
The National Association of Counties (NACo) has announced the following upcoming webinar:
NACo Tech Xchange - Annual Cyber Security Event Planning for October – What Can Your County Do?
(Wednesday, September 2, 2020, from 1pm – 2pm CST)
Join NACo's Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to cover resources available for October – Cyber Security Month. Discussion will include how to effectively utilize the resources available at no cost from CISA (Department of Homeland Security) and how counties across the United States can join together on similar activities.
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Corporate Partner Spotlight
This week's corporate partner spotlight highlights ISACo's partnership with Wight & Company.
For more than 80 years, Wight & Company has helped clients create exceptional, enduring buildings and spaces that enrich people's lives. Wight also specializes in providing professional services for transportation and infrastructure projects for counties, municipalities, state agencies and private landowners.
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! |
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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