* 6/24/24 - IML (Illinois Municipal League) Statehouse Briefing - Legislation of Municipal Interest Approved by Both Chambers report + New Laws Taking Effect in 2024 report..............

[Buzz Sawyer]

from newsletter:

"IML recently released its 2024 Legislation of Municipal Interest Approved 

by Both Chambers report (available via this link). This report is supplemented

by the New Laws Taking Effect in 2024 report (available via this link)."

https://www.iml.org/page.cfm?key=31240&parent=5340

June 24, 2024

The Statehouse Briefing publication is an electronic newsletter intended to provide municipal officials a regular update on various issues affecting Illinois municipalities at the state level.
 
Since 1913, the Illinois Municipal League (IML) has worked continuously for the benefit of all 1,294 cities, villages and towns in Illinois. IML provides a collective voice on issues of importance to municipal governments.
 
COGFA Tier 2 Pension Benefits Analysis
 
The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) recently requested an analysis from The Segal Group (Segal), a national employee benefits and actuarial consulting firm, to determine the status of Tier 2 benefits as they relate to Social Security safe harbor provisions. On April 22, 2024, IML Chief Executive Officer Brad Cole sent a letter (available via this link) to Governor JB Pritzker providing information about this same topic that was gathered from The Groom Law Group, our Washington DC-based national legal team, following their similar study of this issue in both 2019 and 2023. 
 
Groom found that there is no current issue of non-compliance between Tier 2 benefits for public safety employee pensions (Article 3 and Article 4 funds) and Social Security safe harbor requirements. Segal provided its opinion on June 4, 2024, that essentially says the same thing and is consistent with our long-standing position on this topic. A link to the Segal report is available via this link.
 
More resources about downstate public safety pension reform and consolidation can be found on a dedicated IML webpage at iml.org/pensions.
 
State Shared Revenue Estimates and Forecasts
 
IML released its quarterly state shared revenue estimates in the July issue of the Review magazine. This report, using actual tax receipt data through May 2024, provides updated estimates for Municipal Fiscal Year (MFY) 2025 and Calendar Year (CY) 2024, along with initial forecasts for CY 2025. More information about this report can be found at iml.org/revenue.
 
Bills of Municipal Interest Pending Gubernatorial Action
 
Both chambers of the General Assembly have adjourned the 2024 Spring Legislative Session and will not return to the State Capitol until the Fall Veto Session, which is scheduled for November 12-14 and November 19-21.
 
The following bills of municipal interest are pending action by Governor JB Pritzker: 

• SB 3362 – Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act - Retailers Outside Illinois (Support)
• HB 3144 – Local Tax - Local Revenue (Support)
• HB 4488 – Election Code Omnibus (Bill of Interest)
• HB 4615 – Small Cell Reauthorization (Support)
• HB 5511 – Procurement Bid - Preference (Bill of Interest) 

IML recently released its 2024 Legislation of Municipal Interest Approved by Both Chambers report (available via this link). This report is supplemented by the New Laws Taking Effect in 2024 report (available via this link).
 
Equitable Energy Future Grant Program
 
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (available via this link) for the Equitable Energy Future Grant Program. The program is intended to provide funding opportunities to eligible contractors to support the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects benefiting businesses, community organizations and the workforce in historically disadvantaged communities. A total of $25.5 million is available statewide. The deadline to apply is Sunday, June 30, 2024, by 5:00 p.m. CT. More information can be found on DCEO’s website (available via this link).
 
Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program
 
DCEO has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (available via this link) for the Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program. The program provides grants to assist with planning, developing and executing community solar projects. This grant opportunity is intended to help overcome barriers to project, community and business development caused by a lack of capital investment in low-income communities and among historically disadvantaged populations. A total of $8.5 million is available statewide. The deadline to apply is Monday, July 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. CT. More information, including the program application, can be found on DCEO’s website (available via this link).
 
State Agency Non-Enforcement Grant Program
 
The Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Bureau of Safety Programs and Engineering issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (available via this link) for the State Agency Non-Enforcement grant program. The purpose of the program is to develop and implement effective highway safety programs in Illinois using the strategies of prevention, education, training and public awareness. Program applicants must provide clear data supporting community needs and specific plans to use program funding to improve problem areas. A total of $4 million is available statewide. The deadline to apply is Monday, July 1, 2024, by 4:00 p.m. CT. More information can be found on IDOT’s website (available via this link).

GrantFinder: A Grant Finding Tool for IML Members
 
As a benefit to our members, IML offers GrantFinder (available via this link) to assist municipalities in finding grant opportunities for their communities. This tool is designed to help municipalities efficiently find and secure the grants most relevant to their community projects and initiatives. GrantFinder provides a database with more than 10,000 federal, state, corporate and foundation grant programs available to municipal organizations.
 
IML developed a fact sheet (available via this link) about GrantFinder. Additional resources related to GrantFinder, including a link to sign up for a free account and an informational video, are available on a dedicated webpage, iml.org/grantfinder.
 
Register Today for the 111th IML Annual Conference
 
Registration is open for the 111th IML Annual Conference, to be held September 19-21, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, our new host hotel. The IML Annual Conference is the premier educational and networking opportunity for municipal officials and staff. Our lineup of dynamic speakers offers solutions to address the challenges facing your community.
 
IML is currently seeking attendees willing to serve as session moderators during the conference. If you are attending the conference and are interested in moderating a session, please send an email to IMLConf...@iml.org with your contact information. The deadline to submit your interest to be a moderator is Monday, July 1, 2024.
 
More information about the 111th IML Annual Conference, including links to registration and hotel accommodations, is available on our website at conference.iml.org.
 
IML Fact Sheets
 
As a resource, IML creates fact sheets to provide detailed information about specific issues. IML’s fact sheet inventory is available on our website at iml.org/factsheets. We are highlighting the following fact sheets for your information:

• Filling Vacancies in Elected Municipal Office (available via this link). This fact sheet addresses some common questions regarding filling vacancies in elected municipal offices including when a vacancy occurs, how a municipality selects an individual to fill the vacancy, the eligibility requirements for appointment, how vacancies are filed in different forms of government and what to do when a vacancy causes a lack of a quorum. 
• In Memoriam – Honoring Deceased Local Officials (available via this link). In addition to sample memorial resolutions, this fact sheet includes recommendations that may be used to honor elected officials who have passed.