Home

About Us

Events

Member Info

Contact Us

Bulletin Board

Links

United Counties Council of Illinois (UCCI) has a new spirit and a new look as we move with confidence and purpose into the new century. Legislation dealing with all aspects of county government is our concern whether it deals with the court system, sheriff, highway, zoning, tax levies or the spectrum in between, it is our business. If it affects your county it also affects UCCI and we want to help you.

UCCI has recently completed a successful reorganization; changing the bylaws to become more representative and responsive to all counties. We have taken a long hard look at what counties need from an organization like UCCI, and we have endorsed changes that we hope have become helpful to you. While legislation and lobbying are still our top priority, we've broadened our focus to include services that are beneficial to counties by developing the Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust Pool IPMG. In addition we formed an information pool for sharing innovative ideas; instituted a "Legislative Day" to acquaint county board members with the legislative process and to lobby their representatives on priority bills for counties; brought back the annual "County Government Conference" and brought back the annual "Salary and Fringe Benefits Survey."

Several fundamental legislative changes have occurred in the last couple of years that provide the ability for counties to meet their respective changing needs.

We recognize that in the 2000’s county government officials will face an environment of fiscal constraint, one in which balancing the service demand/available revenue equation will become increasingly difficult. After working through several short reductions focusing on cutbacks, lay-offs, and tax increases, a new strategically oriented style is emerging. We are taking a more expanded view of resources available, and making more creative use of local options.

As you can see, there's a change taking place within the hails of county government -- a change that is positive, aggressive, in charge, and upbeat. This change marks the onset of an entrepreneurial spirit as we seek innovative answers to solve problems with an eye to concerns for quality, creativity, and equity in addition to efficiency and cost containment.

To capture the essence of this changing mindset requires enabling legislation, we must catch up with new demands placed on county government by the public and by the State. To mandate services without funding is absurd and developing needed legislation is one way UCCI does help.

Other benefits of UCCI membership include a half-hour devoted to discussing new and old county issues during a portion of each monthly meeting -- where problems can be discussed and solutions and remedies applied. Learning how problems are resolved in other counties can generate answers to sticky problems in your own county, not all matters can be resolved legislatively. Some must be resolved through the courts. For instance, UCCI directors were kept informed on the lawsuit in Peoria County concerning the size of the county board. The Illinois Supreme Court decided on the side of the County Board. This decision could have a far-reaching impact on representation on the county board floor.

The monthly meetings are lively with important discussions, and providing invaluable experience and training. Keeping ourselves up-to-date and informed on the issues of legislation, pertinent court cases, and the changing county scene are our desired goals. The meetings are held the fourth Monday of every month in room A-1 of the Stratton Building of the State Capital Complex in Springfield. The meetings begin at 9:00 a.m. and are usually over by 12:00 noon. There is no UCCI meeting in July or December.

That's the new spirit and the new look of UCCI as we speak with a strong statewide voice for county government.