LCMLetterNews you can use
November 13, 2012
In this issue
:: Small Business and Aggregation
:: NWPA Lawn Watering Ordinance
:: 2013 Legislative Initiatives
:: WaterSense Best Practices
:: DOI Pension Investment Assumptions
Greetings!
The LCMLetter is published twice a month and its goal is to keep Lake County Municipal League members informed on municipal issues. As issues relevant to municipal officials arise, the LCMLetter will provide you with a synopsis of the issues and provide you with a link for further details.
Small Businesses may join in Local Aggregation

You can help those small businesses ineligible for local electric aggregation programs reduce their electric bill through the the Mayors Caucus Energy Saving Program (ESP).

   

Most small business are excluded from this money-saving opportunity because of the Illinois Commerce Commission's eligibility requirements. ComEd has increased prices in energy supply, transmission and Purchased Electricity Adjustment) to 8.9¢/kWh, and that is 65% greater than the 12-month price offered through the Mayors Caucus' Energy Saving Program.    

 

If you would like to utilize the Caucus' expertise on opt-in and opt-out programs to help the business owners in your community, please contact Craig Schuttenberg, Energy Saving Program  Manager at (773) 491-1564 or email at Craig.Schuttenberg@energysaving program.net to learn more.  

NWPA adopts lawn watering ordinance

The Northwest Water Planning Alliance approved a Regional Water Conservation Lawn Watering Ordinance recently. The ordinance is intended to bring some clarity and structure to the hodgepodge of water ordinances in the Chicago Metro area.

For more information on the ordinance, click here.
2013 LCML 
Legislative Initiatives 
 
The LCML Legislative Committee has been meeting to discuss the Legislative Initiatives for 2013. Last week IML's Legislative Committee met to discuss priorities for 2013 and the LCML committee will be reviewing these as well. As there are several new legislators representing Lake County and in the state overall, it is important to develop a clear, consistent message.

If you have any legislative suggestions, please contact Chris Gentes at (847) 270-3126 or lcml@sbcglobal.net.

WaterSense offers Best Management Practices    

 

Commercial and institutional facilities use 17 percent of the water provided by the nation's public water supplies, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. To help building owners and managers understand and significantly reduce water use in their facilities, the U.S. EPA has created WaterSense at Work: Best Management Practies for Commercial and Institutional Facilities.  

 

WaterSense at Work is a compilation of water-saving tips, techniques and fixture recommendations. Visit the WaterSense website at www.epa.gov/watersense for other useful resources.  

Department of Insurance changes pension fund investment assumptions 

Illinois Department of Insurance has issued a policy bulletin concerning actuarial assumptions and mortality tables. As a result, the Department is revising their investment return assumptions (currently 7% for all funds) downward based upon fund asset size. The changes are as follows:
  • Funds with assets in excess of $10 million will see the assumed rate of return reduced to 6.75%. 
  • Funds with assets between $5 million and $10 million see the assumed rate of return reduced to 6.50%. 
  • Funds with assets between $2.5 million and $5 million will see the assumed rate of return reduced to 6%. 
  • Funds with assets below $2.5 million will see the assumed rate of return reduced to 5%.
Salary increase assumptions are also being revised downward from the current 5% assumption to 4%. Overall payroll will be assumed to grow at 4.5% per year.
Please share this LCMLetter with staff. It is our aim to keep elected officials and their village staff informed about the issues facing municipalities.
 
Sincerely,
Christine Gentes
Lake County Municipal League