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County consultants brief board: temporary DHS funding likely to avert prolonged shutdown
Summary
Smith Garson advised Will County that the Senate split the remaining spending bills, allowing two weeks of funding for the Department of Homeland Security while Congress negotiates policy issues; consultants said they expect the short-term measure to pass the House and be signed, minimizing county impacts.
County consultants from Smith Garson told the Will County Board that congressional action has split the remaining spending bills and that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will likely receive a two-week continuing resolution while policy negotiations continue.
"The Department of Homeland Security bill will receive two weeks worth of funding while Congress determines, negotiates what they'd like to move forward with in terms of DHS policies," said Chris Pratt of Smith Garson during the federal update. He told the board the Senate passed that approach and the House was preparing to vote; if the House passes the short-term funding and the president signs it, most agencies shut down by the lapse of certain appropriations would reopen quickly.
Pratt and county consultant Brett noted that several agencies were temporarily affected when six appropriation bills reached the end of their continuing resolution, including Transportation, HUD, Health and Human Services, and Labor. Board members asked whether employees would be paid; consultants said agencies typically provide retroactive pay once appropriations are enacted.
Pratt also reported that the county and firm are working on Water Resources Development Act priorities with the U.S. Army Corps and preparing FY27 project requests typically submitted as earmarks; he said the transportation authorization bill remains a focus given its importance to county infrastructure.
No formal action was taken on the federal update — it was provided for situational awareness so the board and staff can prioritize outreach and monitor programs such as CDBG and HOME that affect county grant allocations.
