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Tuesday, April 21 |
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5:00 p.m. |
Welcome Reception - Kick off the conference at our welcome reception, an informal opportunity to gather, connect, and settle in. |
Wednesday, April 22 |
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7:30 a.m. |
Registration Open |
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8:00 a.m. |
Continental Breakfast |
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9:00 a.m. |
Exhibits Open |
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9:00 a.m. |
Welcome & Opening Remarks | Karen Stukel, 2026 IACO President, Will County Recorder Brilliant Communication: Reigniting Connection, Trust, and Purpose | Presented by: Nina Meehan, Award-Winning Director & Playwright; Innovation, Creativity & Communication Expert; and, 2x TEDx Speaker In this dynamic and uplifting keynote, leadership communication expert Nina Meehan shares research-backed tools for strengthening trust, improving communication, and reconnecting with the deeper purpose behind public service. This talk reveals how the most effective leaders create environments where people feel seen, heard, and supported, even during difficult moments. Participants will discover practical strategies to communicate with clarity, build stronger relationships across departments and associations, and keep their own motivation alive in the midst of demanding work. Through engaging stories, interactive reflection, and immediately applicable frameworks, attendees will leave with tools to:
This presentation from Nina Meehan offers more than communication techniques, it provides a moment to pause, reconnect, and remember why your work matters. |
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10:00 a.m. |
Refreshment Break |
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10:30 a.m. |
Managerial Effectiveness | Presented by: Leslie G. Rienzie-Barry, HRCI-SPHR, SHRM-SCP, President/Senior Consultant, The Rienzie Group, Inc. What makes a manager effective? It’s more than knowing the job or even being present daily. An effective manager must have the skills and decision-making abilities to guide the team to organizational success. This is all while helping individuals reach their goals within a positive environment. Managerial effectiveness takes a combination of skills and traits, including Communication, Delegation, Interpersonal skills, Coaching and Mentoring and Managing Up. Most important, this session will cover policies and procedures needed to ensure that the combination of the skills and traits are attainable. |
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11:30 a.m. |
Scholarship Luncheon - Join us for the Scholarship Luncheon as we celebrate our scholarship recipients and recognize their achievements. |
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1:15 p.m.
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Communicating During the Unthinkable: Media Relations Lessons from the July 4th Incident | Presented by: Christopher Covelli, Deputy Chief, Lake County Sherriff's Office This session examines the communication response during the July 4th critical incident, focusing on media relations, rumor control, and maintaining public trust during a rapidly evolving event. Attendees will gain practical insight into how messaging decisions are made in real time, how government agencies balance transparency with investigative integrity, and how leadership communication impacts both the public and employees during a crisis. |
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2:15 p.m. |
Refreshment Break |
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2:30 p.m. |
Your State’s Attorney is Your Attorney | Presented by: Jamie Mosser, Kane County State's Attorney The role of the State’s Attorney is complex and oftentimes thought only to encompass prosecution of offenses from traffic to homicide. By statute, the State’s Attorney is the lawyer for the County and all County elected officials and their employees and the County Departments and their employees. It is the role of the State’s Attorney to give legal advice and to represent the County in legal affairs and cases. Too often County Officials find themselves in a legal quagmire because they act without seeking the guidance of their attorney. Much like the axiom of an apple a day keeps the doctor away, without first seeking legal advice, you are likely to pay a significant price! This presentation will detail the role of the State’s Attorney with the County as their elected representative. |
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3:30 p.m. |
Understanding IMRF 101 | Presented by: Christine Fine, IMRF Understanding IMRF 101 offers a clear, practical introduction to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. We’ll start with the basics, breaking down what IMRF is and how it functions, then take a closer look at funding and long-term sustainability so you can better understand how the system stays strong over time. Attendees will also be guided through available resources on rates. We’ll wrap up with a brief overview of benefits and key takeaways to reinforce your understanding and leave you with helpful insights you can put to use. |
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4:30 p.m. |
Wind Down Reception |
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Evening |
Hospitality Suites Open |
Thursday, April 23 |
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7:00 a.m. |
Registration & Breakfast Buffet |
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9:00 a.m. |
Exhibits Open |
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9:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
Affiliate Organization Meetings | Join affiliate organization sessions for substantive presentations that dive into current issues, shared challenges, and practical solutions. |
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11:30 a.m. |
Lunch Buffet |
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6:00 - 9:00 p.m. |
Welcome to the Wild West Roundup! Dust off your boots, grab your cowboy hat, and mosey over for a boot-stompin’ meal before hitting the dance floor. Enjoy line dancing and great music as our DJ keeps the dance hall hoppin’ all evening. While you’re at it, come ready to show off your Wild West spirit. We’ll be hosting a few crowd-favorite competitions throughout the night, and you’ll want to be in on the action. Break out your best Western wear for Best Dressed Cowboy/Cowgirl or team up for Best Duo or Group Outfit. Feeling bold? Warm up those vocal cords for the Yeehaw Shout-Off or hit the floor for Best Boot-Scooter and show us your moves. Whether you’re in it to win it or just in it for the laughs, a little prep goes a long way. Come dressed up, bring your energy, and you just might ride off with a prize. |
| Evening | Hospitality Suites Open |
Friday, April 24 |
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| 8:00 a.m. | Farewell Breakfast |
| 9:00 - 12:00 p.m. | Affiliate Organization Meetings |
Hotel Information
The link to make your guestroom reservation will be provided in your event registration confirmation email. Please only reserve the rooms you need - IACO is financially penalized when reserved rooms are cancelled after the block expires if we fall below our contractual room block commitment.- Crowne Plaza: While we secured a block of rooms at the Crowne Plaza, Springfield at the standard government rate, as of March 16 our room block at the Crowne sold out.
- Holiday Inn Express: We have a small overflow block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Express, which is just steps away from the Crowne.
PLEASE NOTE: Our room blocks expired March 21. After this date, the hotel has released all rooms. Reservation requests will be accepted on a space available basis, at the higher of the government rate or rate available at that time.
Registration
Registration for the 2026 IACO Spring Conference includes course materials, meal functions on Wednesday, Thursday, and/or Friday, networking receptions, and exceptional programming. Guest Registration is reserved for the spouse/significant others of a county official and includes meal functions only.
County Official Conference Registration Fees:
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Full Registration | Wednesday, April 22 – Friday, April 24 |
$300 $175 $175 $175 $200 |
Vendors: Exhibit, Sponsorship, and Registration Information
Vendors are invited to exhibit, sponsor, or simply register for the Spring Conference. Follow this link for details. As exhibit space is limited and the interest in networking with conference attendees is very high, we encourage all vendors seeking to participate in the Spring and/or Fall Conference to sign up as soon as possible.
Conference Cancellation Policy
Conference registrations made and not cancelled will be billed. Cancellations must be made in writing on or before March 31 to receive a refund. All refunds (less a $100 processing fee) will be made after the conference. Cancellation notices should be sent to Associate Director Toni Tripp, [email protected].