The Illinois City Management Association (ILCMA) has initiated a campaign to attract new members. While there are currently over 400 members from around the state, ILCMA recognizes that many communities have either recently hired or are contemplating hiring a professional manager or administrator to deal with the myriad of problems that face communities in the 1990s.

The goal of the recruitment drive is to attract new members who will receive a host of benefits designed to enhance the professionalism of local government. Within the association there are three affiliates: the Illinois Association of Municipal Management Assistants, the Metropolitan Managers Association and the Downstate City Management Association. Each of these organizations meet on a regular basis to provide information and training in local government management. Two statewide conferences are held each year, one at the Eagle Ridge Resort near Galena in June, and a winter conference that will be held in Peoria February 21-23,1996. These conferences provide workshops on a variety of municipal issues and professional development as well as an opportunity for members to discuss problems and solutions with peers from other Illinois communities.

As part of the Membership Recruitment Drive, the ILCMA Board of Directors has approved free registration to the Winter Conference in Peoria for all persons making application for membership to the ILCMA.

This is an excellent opportunity for new members to become acquainted with the organization.

In addition to professional development opportunities at the conference, new members will receive a monthly newsletter — "City Management in Illinois" which contains a calendar of events, job ads, and articles of interest to local government professionals as well as notification of training opportunities throughout the year. Also over the past few years, ILCMA has developed a strong relationship with the Illinois Municipal League's Managers Committee. This committee has developed workshops for elected officials, provided background information on pending legislation and supported the work of the League in a number of other ways.

The members of ILCMA extend a sincere invitation to local government officials throughout the State of Illinois to join ILCMA. We are confident that membership will be worthwhile to your manager/administrator and your community. New members will find opportunities for professional development as well as the camaraderie of their peers from around the state.

Persons interested in joining should call: Samuel J. Schmitz, Rockford City Administrator, Chairman, Membership Recruitment Committee, (815) 987-5590. •

Page 24 / Illinois Municipal Review / January 1996