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County federal liaison warns continuing resolution, rescission proposals could delay Lake County projects
Summary
A county federal representative briefed the committee on the risk that Congress may pass a continuing resolution for FY2026 appropriations and on White House executive orders that could affect grantmaking and federal funding to jurisdictions, including an order tied to cashless-bail jurisdictions.
Greg, the county’s federal contact, told the Legislative Committee that Congress returned this week with uncertainty over whether it will pass full appropriations for fiscal year 2026 by the Sept. 30 deadline. He said the three likely outcomes are an omnibus package, a set of smaller appropriations packages, or a continuing resolution (CR); a CR would delay funding awards and could delay projects Lake County has had selected for appropriations.
Greg said the county currently has roughly $3 million in projects selected in FY2026 appropriation requests for Public Works and a housing project in the Waukegan area. He advised the committee that a short-term CR (30–60 days) is a likely outcome and could affect when or whether those projects receive final funding.
Greg also briefed the committee on two White House actions he said officials are watching: an executive order that increases the White House role in federal grant review and an executive order aimed at jurisdictions with cashless-bail policies that could result in identification of such jurisdictions and potential withholding of federal funds. Greg said legal challenges are likely to follow any effort to withhold funds and noted a recent federal-court injunction in a separate case involving similar federal actions.
Why it matters: Federal funding and appropriation timing can materially affect county capital projects and the schedules of departments that rely on earmarks and competitive grants. The committee asked staff to monitor the appropriations calendar and potential litigation tied to the executive orders.
Discussion vs. action: The presentation was informational; the committee did not take a formal position or vote. Staff offered to track specific appropriations and to report back if federal timing or grant conditions changed.
Details: Greg said an administration rescission package under discussion could target previously appropriated Department of Education funds, and that such a move would make bipartisan negotiations on FY2026 appropriations more difficult. He also identified political differences between the Senate (producing more bipartisan bills) and the House (more partisan bills) as complicating timely passage of appropriation bills.
Ending: Members asked staff to monitor and report back on any appropriation delays or actions that would affect county projects.
