A.
Vote on Settlement Approval in Case 21WC017581
This item will be held until the County Board meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
RESULT:
HELD OVER
14.
Committee Reports
A.
Madam Chairman's Comments
Chairman Pierog congratulated all those that were apart of the election cycle. She
hopes to continue bi-partisan relationships for the benefit of Kane County. Pierog
announced that she has been invited by NACo to attend a conference at Harvard
University. Attendance at the conference is by invitation only. The conference is for the
leadership of County Board Executives on November 20 through 22, 2024. Pierog
noted that she will bring back a report for the Kane County Board.
B.
Legislative Update
McGuireWoods Representative, Greg Bales, provided the Federal Legislative Update.
On the federal level, the legislators are going to try to accomplish numerous tasks
before the change in chambers. The biggest item that the would affect the County is
the appropriations process. Congress passed a continued resolution that extended
funding through December 20, 2024. Congress will return November 12, 2024. In this
process, there are traditionally 12 appropriation bills that fund different parts of the
federal government. Congress tried to pass these 12 individually, but will likely package
these bills in a large omnibus, or minibus, which they would pass six bills at a time.
Bales stated that he is optimistic Congress will get this accomplished. Included in these
12 bills are items that are earmarked for the County. McGuireWoods will be advocating
and monitoring these items on behalf of the County. Bales explained that Congress will
need to finish the National Defense Authorization Act and Farm Bill. This Farm Bill will
include insurance packages for farmers and SNAP food benefit program for residents.
Congress will need to address numerous health care matters before the end of the
year, such as reauthorizing the Health Care Safety Net Programs, which include
funding and the authorization of community health centers. Congress is likely to
postpone Medicaid payment reductions to safety-net hospitals. Additionally, there are
numerous items that are set to expire next year, such as the ACA Premium Tax
Credits. In Bales experience, Congress will most likely take all of the health care
priorities and try to bundle them into one package for vote. By the end of the year,
Congress will likely have movement in the Senate to confirm appointments to the
judiciary bench. There may be confirmations for non-controversial multi-year positions
in the federal government. Congress has a lot to accomplish in a small amount of time.
McGuireWoods Representative, Louie Mossos, stated that after the election, all 118
members of the Illinois House of Representatives and a third of the 59 members of the
Senate were up for re-election. He explained that the democratic party has maintained
their majority in Illinois. In the House, democrats have secured their 78 confirmed
seats, and the Senate with 40 seats. Mossos stated that a veto session will occur within
the next two weeks. There is anticipation for a short lame-duck session in January
2025 before the new General Assemlbly is sworn in. In light of the election, the veto
session is expected to be busier than usual. Currently, legislators and leadership are