Henry W. Holling

Department of Local Government Affairs what it is and what it does ..... By Henry W. Holling

Editor's Note:
The Elk Grove Park District has already been approved for the $1,000 grant for students as mentioned in the article.

The Department of Local Government Affairs represents a fulfillment by Governor Richard B. Ogilvie of a major commitment to local governments. Created with the Governor's signature of Public Act 76-1158, on August 29, 1969, the Department came into being January 1, 1970.

The new Department accomplished a consolidation of three existing agencies of state government that were local government oriented and also established one new agency—the Office of Community Services.

The Office of Community Services, as the new activity of state government on behalf of local governments, provides several direct services to local officials. Specifically, the objectives of the Office have been delineated as follows:

—to serve as the advocate of local governments at the state level and provide direct supportive services,

—to serve as a one stop service center—a clearing house—providing technical and financial assistance on a variety of problems,

—to act as the focal point of contact for local governments with the state,

—to work with local officials to develop incentives for the improvement of local government,

—to secure a greater coordination of state services for local government.

In order to achieve these broad-based goals and implement a program of service to local officials, the Office consists of four basic sections. The sections are:

Federal-State Aid and Urban Information Section; Liaison and Coordination Section; Management Assistance Section; and the Local Budget and Financial Assistance Section.

The Federal-State Aid and Urban Information Section has the responsibility of assisting local officials to determine what federal and state aids are available for their communities and can assist in the preparation of applications upon request. In addition to helping local governments with grant-in-aid matters, this section is developing an urban information resource bureau which will serve as a clearing house of information on local government problems and solutions to those problems. The information resource bureau will draw on the libraries of existing agencies, associations, and universities in order to provide a wealth of information on local government. A Program Assistance Officer coordinates and directs the activity of this section.

Coordination of state services to local governments has been a recurring goal of state government. The Liaison and Coordination Section will make this goal a reality. Headed by an Intergovernmental Affairs Officer, this section is designed to help local officials in their dealings with other state agencies and to disseminate information relative to the work of various state agencies and commissions. The coordination of a myriad of state resources for local governments is a difficult task at best, but the ability of this section to cut through bureaucratic schemes so that the proper agency and person is identified will save local officials a great deal of time and frustration. More than any other area, this section will serve as your advocate in relations with other agencies.

The Management Assistance Section has the ability to assist localities improve administrative techniques and develop procedures for strengthening local government management capability. The Local Government Management Officer, who supervises this section's activity, has the responsibility of providing direct consultative advice on various public administration matters. Questions relative to the organization of public works departments and pay classification plans have been handled by this section. In order to be in constant contact with local officials concerning their

Henry W. Holling is Chief, Office of Community Services, Department of Local Government Affairs, Springfield.

Illinois Parks & Recreation 14 January/ February, 1971

problems and needs, the management section utilizes the talents of three Community Service Representatives. As the "field personnel" of the Office, the representatives are able to provide counsel to local officials in a variety of matters relative to governmental organization and management.

In order to provide a complete one stop center of assistance, the Office of Community Services contains a Local Budget and Finance Section. This section, headed by an experienced state official, was formerly in the Office of Financial Affairs. However, the nature of direct advice and counsel provided on local fiscal matters such as budgeting, accounting, purchasing, revenue estimating, and audit procedures clearly describe the community service nature of this activity. An effective local government unit has a sound fiscal base, utilizes professional budgeting and accounting practices, and is able to allocate fiscal resources to obtain optimal use. The professional staff of this section is in contact with almost 100 units of local government per month to achieve these goals.

The scope of assistance provided by the Office of Community Services is rounded out through the offering of incentive grants to local governments. Incentive programs for the improvement of local government were developed with the problems of local officials in mind. A student intern program has been initiated which encourages local governments to hire a student for an internship in order to expose students to career opportunities and challenges in local government in Illinois. The Office of Community Services will provide up to $1,000 of the cost of hiring a student. Another program has been initiated which allows local governments to obtain professional consultative advice at minimal cost. The City-County Consultant Program provides grants to local governmental units who will loan a professional to another local government to solve a specific problem. The "borrowing" community obtains free consulting services while the lending community (or governmental unit) receives an incentive grant.

The Office of Community Services will provide the services described herein with only one string attached. That string is that localities must request the Office's assistance due to a stipulation in the law creating the Department of Local Government Affairs. We must hear from you before we can help. For the present year, the Office has a staff of fifteen—consisting of twelve professionals and three secretaries. We are eager to serve you.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 15 January/February 1971