 | | | | | Today is September 08, 2010 | | |
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| | Tentative Conference ProgramWe are still in the process of finalizing and refining our program.
Listed below is the Tentative Conference Program for this year's 97th Annual Conference.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Roundtable - Less than 5,000 Population; 5,000 to 25,000 Population; Over 25,000 Population
Three sessions running concurrently Thursday afternoon will allow municipal officials of large, medium and small size to discuss common problems and seek to learn how other similar sized municipalities have dealt with those problems.
Local Historic Preservation: A Strategy for Sustainable Community Economic Development
Among the most vibrant Illinois communities are those which also have strong local historic preservation commissions and have integrated the historic preservation ethic into their downtown revitalization, economic development and municipal planning programs. With the help of tax credits and state-administered grants for public education and outreach, many community historic preservation commissions have partnered with local government and community organizations to guide long range planning, through survey, identification and designation of historically significant resources. This session offers an overview of financial incentive tools available for residents and businesses, and discusses strategies for building strong, effective relationships between local governments and constituent preservation organizations seeking to gain support for sustainable community heritage efforts.
Grade Crossing Protection Funds & Operation Lifesaver Program
Rail safety is a very important issue for the State of Illinois since our state has the second most highway-rail grade crossings in the country. Seasoned panelists will discuss the Operation Lifesaver Program, the significant increase in the availability of Grade Crossing Protections Funds and the Peers Program. The Peers Program is a federal program championed by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin for rail education and enforcement.
Sustainable Communities
A paradigm shift is on the horizon regarding how our communities will develop and grow in the future. Sustainable methods and practices are at the forefront today aimed to achieve economic, social and environmental benefits. To be on the leading edge of sustainability municipalities are exploring subjects such as: Green Streets/Complete Streets; Innovative storm water management; Minimizing impervious surfaces. In order to achieve these goals, modifications may be needed with comprehensive land use plans, subdivision regulations, zoning and landscape ordinances. Learn from an experienced panel about the opportunities and constraints to achieving sustainability in your community.
Bike Trails - Sustainable Benefits for Your Community
In this session you will learn how bike trails strengthens local economies, how bike trails reinforces and protects a community's natural and historical legacies, and how it improves residents' lives. The session will also review the steps and funding sources on how to get a bike trail built in your community.
Creative Financing Roundtable
Managing municipal finances in prosperous times is difficult enough, but doing so when your municipality is facing a financial squeeze from declining sales and state-shared revenues can be a harrowing task. This roundtable session will offer tips and advice that municipal officials can use to navigate the financial storm.
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Officials Overseeing Local Disasters
Learn clear guidance on the roles and responsibilities of chief elected officials before, during, and after disasters. This informative session is for any community leader and is presented using a practical implementation of emergency management in a community.
Privatization of Municipal Services - Regional Services as Cost Saving Measures
All Illinois municipalities are looking for those extra dollars in their budgets during these tough economic times. One way to save money is to consider moving some municipal services to an outside vendor. The panel will discuss the process to be undertaken when reevaluating departmental services.
Federal Healthcare Reform -Municipal Perspective
The details of federal healthcare changes are unclear. Until rules are written or the federal law changes, municipal officials need interim advice. This panel has broad expertise as to the way municipal officials purchase and operate health plans today, and the changes that must be made to the plans in light of recent federal and state modifications to employer healthcare requirements.
The Illinois State Budget Situation
Both state and local governments are facing extremely tough financial times. This panel will focus on the current status of the state budget and will also provide a glimpse into the future on the outlook for future revenues and expenditures.
Mass Transit Issues
Transportation continues to be a hot topic in both the suburbs and in rural Illinois. Mass transit provides an important avenue to transport people and ease roadway congestion. The state capital infrastructure program enacted in 2009 will be discussed in relation to its impact on transit issues.
Opportunities for Municipalities in Large Scale Wind Energy Projects
Illinois is ranked 7th in the United States in existing wind-powered generating capacity. There is great public and private interest in wind energy, both large-scale projects involving hundreds of wind turbines, and small-scale local and individual projects involving a few turbines-or even just one. Several Illinois municipalities and counties are working on ordinances regulating wind energy generation. The State has enacted various economic incentives for wind energy projects. This session will be presented by an Ancel Glink attorney who has worked on wind energy issues, representatives from the wind-energy industry, and a local government official involved in promoting and regulating wind energy projects. The session will discuss the status of wind energy development, what the State of Illinois is doing, and what local governments can do to protect the public interest and benefit from this new source of revenue.
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Get Acquainted Reception
Friday, September 24, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Opening General Session
11:00 a.m. - 12 noon
To Tweet or Not to Tweet: Is Your Municipality Linked In to Social Networking Issues?
How far can a municipality go to monitor or regulate an employee's or public official's social networking activities or electronic devices? Should towns ban such activities or embrace social media? Are text messages, tweets or Facebook posts public records under FOIA? Is your Board violating the Open Meetings Act on Linked In? As technology evolves and transparency expands, so do concerns about privacy. This session will identify social networking issues faced by municipalities, and provide options for addressing them.
Grant Writing, Loans and Revolving Loans
Municipal officials are continuously working for creative ways to fund projects whether through grants or loans. Attendees will hear of grant and loan opportunities from a variety of experts familiar with state and local government.
Evaluating the Quality of Local Law Enforcement
The professional model of policing places great emphasis on addressing criminal issues as well as social and physical disorder. The modern Community Policing model expands this focus to collaborative problem solving within the community and addressing quality of life issues not traditionally considered within the realm of "police work". The presenters will describe their models and what works to better their citizens' daily lives.
Mutual Aid in Illinois - Local Governments Helping Each Other
Don't wait until a disaster strikes your community to learn what you need to know! Learn real world tips, information and resources available to you BEFORE a disaster strikes in your area.
Community Analytics & Economic Development Tools that Work in Today's Climate
The Buxton Company, which advises more than 450 communities nationwide, will provide a presentation on how to utilize community analytics in order to make more strategic long term and short term decisions. The private sector has been using community analytics for a long period of time and municipalities could benefit as well. An additional part of this panel will include economic development tools that work in today's economic climate.
Home Rule vs. Non-Home Rule
Should your Illinois municipality be a home rule unit or not? This program examines the pros and cons of home rule status for Illinois municipalities
You're Never Too Small for People Problems
Sometimes we take comfort in our small numbers, thinking that we cannot possibly be affected by the multitude of laws on the books. Unfortunately whether you're a municipality with 10, 100 or even 1,000 employees, you will probably find yourself caught up in the rapidly changing world of employment law. This session will help guide you through the morass of regulations that affect even the smallest municipalities.
Public Safety Pension Reform Update
The IML is working with a coalition of local governments and organizations toward reforming Illinois' police and firefighter pension systems to make them sustainable and affordable into the future. This session will provide an update on the reform effort as well as information about what your community can do to effectively participate in the reform campaign.
Foreclosures, Abandoned Homes and Code Enforcement Issues
A growing concern that is facing all communities, large and small, affluent and middle class, is how to cope with the growing number of foreclosures and abandoned property. This session will review the statutory authority of municipalities to deal with the problems associated with foreclosed and abandoned homes and offer practical solutions. Specific case histories will be discussed.
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Conflict of Interest
Do you think you might have a conflict of interest with your elected or appointed position? A panel of attorneys will help you identify situations that may be a violation of the law.
Open Meetings Act and FOIA in the Internet Age
The Internet Age - with social media networks, e-mail, discussion boards, and real time chats and conversations, among other technologies - is bringing forth a variety of legal issues, especially in regards to public meetings and records. Using realistic hypothetical situations, this program will examine the Open Meetings and Freedom of Information Acts in relation with these technologies.
The Great GREEN Initiative: Stormwater Utilities
More and more, municipalities are struggling on how to handle Stormwater runoff. As citizens continue to demand that municipalities address the problem, yet declining budgets make this much harder, is there an answer? One solution that could be explored is the implementation of a Stormwater utility fee. Come to this session to learn more about this GREEN initiative.
Public-Private Partnerships
According to the National Association of Public-Private Partnerships, a public-private partnership is a contractual agreement between a public agency (federal, state, or local) and a private sector entity. Through this agreement, the skills and assets of each sector (public and private) are shared in delivering a service or facility for the use of the general public. This session will explore the sharing of resources, risks, and rewards in public-private partnerships.
We Need Savings Now! New approaches to shared services through cooperation and consolidation strategies for Fire and Police Services.
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus through the generous support of the Mac Arthur Foundation has been studying opportunities to reduce municipal operating costs by developing new cost savings strategies in delivering Fire and Police services. Three community sub regional case studies are underway in Leyden Township, Dundee Township and in Southwest suburban Cook County and initial opportunities and pitfalls will be presented and discussed.
Liquor and Tobacco Licensing & Enforcement
Ask the Experts any Question on Liquor/Tobacco Licensing/Enforcement. This program is intended for all mayors, municipal attorneys, and any other municipal officials who participate in the issuance of licenses, regulation of licensees, and enforcement of regulations for the local liquor and tobacco retailers in their communities.
Health Care Reform Panel
Healthcare is a major fundamental issue for the United States. This panel of experts will discuss the current status of healthcare delivery systems and what the future of healthcare will look like both at the federal and state level.
Chapter 9 & Underfunded Employee Pension Funds
Perhaps knowing the framework and likely outcomes of a Chapter 9 filing, a settlement can be achieved, thus avoiding bankruptcy expense.
1:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Council Practices & Procedures
Learn how to legally and effectively conduct your council meetings. Common questions and problems arising in the context of meetings will be discussed. Please bring all of your questions regarding the procedures your municipality is currently utilizing and ask the experts.
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Networking for Mayors; Managers; and Councilmembers
These three sessions will permit officials having similar duties and responsibilities (mayors, councilmembers and managers) to meet informally on Friday afternoon. One hour will not be sufficient times to cover all items of interest, but will allow those officials to meet one another, have cursory discussions on numerous topics, and then continue discussions one-on-one or in small groups during the remainder of the conference.
Volunteers: A Fresh New Look at Leveraging Community Talent
There are people with talent in your community who are willing to help. The rub is figuring out who they are and making your needs known to them. This fun-filled, interactive session will help you look beyond the typical "event"-based volunteers and enable you to re-think your strategy regarding how to identify, build, and retain top volunteer talent to meet your community needs!
Preparing for the (Gradual) Economic Recovery? Steps for Getting Ready for New Projects in Your Community
This session will examine steps that communities can take to foster local economic development as the national economic picture (slowly) improves. It will cover general development strategy, examine internal policies concerning economic incentives, and provide tips on how to evaluate developer proposals and determine the level of public investments. The session will prepare communities to negotiate effectively with developers to create a positive economic environment for both the public and private sectors.
Dealing with the Media
Experienced professionals with varying backgrounds will provide their insights as to how to best deal with members of the media. This session will provide many opportunities for audience input.
Go To 2040: The Urgency of Long-Range Planning
Metropolitan Chicago's first comprehensive regional plan since Daniel Burnham's in 1909 is to be implemented starting this year. CMAP's integrated approach to the seven-county region's challenges, with an emphasis on the pivotal role that municipalities need to play in changing how development and infrastructure investment decisions are made, will be discussed.
Practical Approaches to Green Communities
It's not easy being green, but attendees at this session will learn tips and suggestions on how to make their municipalities more environmentally-friendly. Presenters will highlight very simple and practical ideas for making your community a little greener.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
7:45 a.m. - 12 noon
Treasurers Session
- 7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - Registration & Continental Breakfast
- 8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. - Welcoming Remarks
- 8:45 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - Topic: Practical Application of GASB 54
- 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. - Topic: IMRF Employer Audit
- 10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Break
- 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. - Topic: Identity Protection Act
- 11:15 a.m. - 12:00 noon - IMTA General Membership Meeting
- 12:00 p.m. - Adjourn
8:00 a.m. - 12 noon
Clerks Session
- 7:45 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. - Registration
- 8:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. - Welcoming & Opening Remarks
- 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. - So... You Think You're Perfect
A Panel of mayors, village presidents, administrators, managers and councilmembers will provide their perspective of what the "perfect" clerk would be.…traits, qualities, behavior….and why, as well as their opinion of where the clerk should fit into the organization.
- 9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - Networking Break
- 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon - Legislation and Case Law - What You Need to Know
9:00 a.m. - 12 noon
Fire & Police Session
- 9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. - Opening Welcome
- 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Case Law and Legislative Update
- 10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. - Break
- 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 noon - Case Law and Legislative Update - continued
- Question and Answer
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Land Use & Zoning - Avoiding the Common Mistakes
Land use and zoning issues are difficult for veteran elected officials let alone newly elected officials. The municipal plans to implement your community's goals and protect community resources can be a pit of questions, arguments, and stalemates. During this session, the presenters will provide attendees information on how to avoid the common mistakes that municipalities make that can cost the municipality valuable time and money.
Current Legislation
Find out what issues may materialize in the upcoming Fall Veto Session or the Spring 2011 Legislative session. Come and have your voice heard on issues impacting municipal governments.
Millions of Dollars Available for Education, Training and Equipment!!!
Did you know that ILEAS alone has provided millions of dollars for training and equipment to Illinois municipalities that are NIMS Compliant? In these tough budget times, learn about the grant dollars that ILEAS has available and how ILEAS can help make it easier for you to achieve that first step of becoming NIMS compliant so that your community qualifies for these dollars!
Benefits of Membership in the International Council of Shopping Centers
The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) has existed for many years offering inexpensive membership to communities ($100 per year) and a variety of events on both a national and regional level. The ICSC specializes in identifying up and coming retailers, developers and provides the appropriate contact information.
ADA Regulations & Complying with ADA on Public Rights-of-Way
The Americans with Disability Act can be a challenge for communities to implement. However, it is the law and as stewards of the public trust, public officials should make every attempt to comply. Learn what is on the horizon and how difficult it can be to meet the requirements of the Act.
Employment Law Update
This session will provide an overview of recent court, labor board, and legislative decisions of which public employers should be made aware. Attendees will leave this session with greater confidence that their municipality is in full compliance with new developments in labor law.
9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Illinois Prevailing Wage Act
This panel will discuss the Illinois Prevailing Wage law and how it applies to public bodies. Questions will be addressed regarding what constitutes public works, locality, who determines the prevailing wage, and payroll records. Panelists will also answer questions from attendees.
Successful Lobbying - Local Officials are Key
Getting things done in Springfield requires a relentless approach, including contacts made in the district and at the State House. Come and hear the approaches taken on some recent successes at the Capital. This session will involve members of the audience as well.
Governmental Cooperation, Collaboration and Consolidation
Revenues are shrinking, reserves have been tapped, expenses continue to mount, and service cuts offer an unattractive path. The stress of the current economic downturn has caused local governments to take a hard look at how they're delivering services, how they're organized, and how they're managing priorities. The question is this, "Why is real cooperation and shared services so difficult?" Do our old models really work, and if so, for how long? What can we do better? What can we do together? What shouldn't we do anymore? This workshop will explore the changing dynamics between units of government. Current research and writings on the topic about "the strains on the system" will be shared and debated. Real-life examples of shared services, consolidation studies and intergovernmental agreements will add to the session's benefits for leaders.
Municipal Tune-Up
Program designed to ensure municipalities are up-to-date and compliant on a host of regulatory and legal issues.
Current Topics in Governmental Finance
The current economic climate has provided a challenge to municipal budgets across the State. Many communities are looking for financing solutions to help ride through the tough fiscal times. This session covers various financing techniques that are available to communities, including tax anticipation warrants, working cash fund bonds, refunding bonds for debt restructuring, pension funding bonds, and capital borrowings.
IML Business Meeting
11:00 a.m. - 12 noon
Ask the Experts about the Illinois Sunshine Laws
Everyone has questions about the Open Meetings Act and the amendments to the Freedom of Information Act. Therefore, everyone is invited to participate in this questions and answers program where they can ask questions of our legal experts on these two Acts.
Mandates
The Illinois General Assembly and federal government continue to pass mandates without affording units of local government with the necessary financial resources to implement these initiatives. Attend this meeting and inform the panelists which particular unfunded mandate is causing your municipality the most concern.
The Pulse of Your Community: Polling and Surveying for Greater Effectiveness.
In the current climate of citizen resistance to new taxes and fees and the growth in direct democracy, public officials would be well advised to measure community sentiments before making policy decisions. This session will show how one community effectively used survey tools prior to making a major change in their municipality.
Employment Hiring and Firing Pitfalls
All municipalities eventually come across an employment hiring or firing issue at some point, no matter how big or small. Understanding the legal process and the common mistakes may help your municipality avoid costly lawsuits and unhappy employees. The presenters will provide information on the processes that work best for hiring and firing employees.
Low Speed Vehicles
Recently, there have been a number of changes in the law concerning whether golf carts, ATV's or similar vehicles are allowed on municipal roads. This session will cover those changes and the steps that communities must take to allow or prohibit these vehicles on municipal roads.
Working with Your Municipal Attorney
The municipal attorney is an integral part of a community's administrative team. Your municipal attorney provides a vast array of knowledge in such areas as contracts, procurement, construction law, employment law, land use and planning, code and ordinance drafting, and a host of other vital issues. This session will provide practical advice on how to work with your community's attorney in order to obtain the most effective and cost-effective advise for our community.
12:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Annual Luncheon
2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
A Look at Cost Saving Alternatives to Legal Publication Requirements
There will be an open discussion among the participants seeking a better and less expensive alternative for local governmental entities to satisfy their notice requirements after a brief presentation on the various legal requirements and expenses to municipalities
Social Host Ordinances - A Tool for Municipalities in the Fight Against Underage Drinking
Learn from experts from different fields about what other communities have done to save the lives and futures of young people in their communities by combatting the problem of underage drinking.
Local Governments Helping Each Other and Grant Dollars Available for Education, Training & Equipment
If you missed the earlier sessions on these topics, this session combines both! Learn about tips, information, and resources available to you BEFORE a disaster strikes, and about the grant dollars ILEAS has available for equipment and training for NIMS-Compliant communities!
Navigating the New Federal Healthcare Regulations
Over the next few years all Americans will be affected by the new federal healthcare program passed by the Obama administration. During this session attendees will be provided a brief overview of the new healthcare regulations, how the new regulations will impact local governments and steps local governments can take to minimize the financial impacts in both a union and non-union environment.
Session for Small Towns (under 1,000 population) - How to Run the Office More Efficiently
Small towns are also feeling the pinch from a downturn in the economy. A panel of officials will discuss and share ideas on ways to more efficiently operate smaller towns.
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
President's Reception
7:00 p.m.
Annual Banquet |
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