Assistants and Professional Staff Networking Session   

Session Description: Come and join us to network with your fellow professionals on pertinent topics. This is an opportunity to establish your own personal network among other IGFOA members.  

Led by:
Jodie Andrew, IGFOA Assistant Representative

Associates Members Forum

Session Description: Discover the myriad ways IGFOA Associate Members can support professional public finance management. Share tips for working with the public sector.

Led by:
Lynda Given, IGFOA Associate Representative

Special District Members Forum

Session description: Join special district finance officers and staff to discuss
financial/budget management issues that are “hot” in your district, training needs, and getting the most out of IGFOA membership.

Led by:
William G. Schmidt
Business Manager /Treasurer
Skokie Park District and Bob Taylor, Director of Finance, Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency

Advanced Debt Management: The Bond Market Meltdown -- What It Means To You

Session Description: Struggling to understand what's happened in the municipal bond industry in the last six months? Wondering how the subprime mortgage mess trickled into local government credit and debt issuance? This session will discuss how the roots of the mortgage crises developed into the current market turmoil, from investment banking and rating agency perspectives. Understand how the crisis impacts you as a local government official, as tougher rating agency meetings, greater analysis and concern over bond structures, and the debate over global credit ratings have long term implications.

Learning Objectives: Gain a better understanding of the development of current market volatility.   Prepare for new questions posed by rating agency analysts. Understand the current market's impact on interest rates and bond structuring.

Speakers:
Melanie Shaker, Fitch Ratings
Stephan Roberts, Robert W. Baird , & Co.
Al Ambrose, The Northern Trust Company

Earn 1 CPE

Hot Topic: Budgeting and Long Term Financial Planning

Session Description: Long-term financial planning aligns the financial capacity of local government with the broader vision that elected officials and the public have for their community. Financial planning is elemental to creating a sustainable financial future, demonstrating to citizens that government is a good steward of their tax dollars, and recognizing and adapting to tomorrow's problems before they become today's crises.

Learning Objectives: To understand the five pillars of long-term financial planning and sustainability. Become familiar with the process for long-term financial planning and tips for implementing a plan. Learn how to get elected officials, the public, and other departments involved in planning so that financial sustainability becomes everyone's job.

Speaker:
Shayne Kavanagh, GFOA

Earn 1 CPE

Advanced Debt Management: The SEC and the IRS Bear Their Teeth in the Municipal Marketplace

Session Description: The Securities and Exchange Commission is taking aim at bond issuers around the country. Come learn why the SEC is targeting certain municipalities and how to approach your next bond deal in light of the recent stepped-up investigations and sanctions by the SEC. Additional discussion will include how to avoid inadvertent problems with the Internal Revenue Service in the years following your bond deal.

Learning Objectives: Get up to speed on the rapidly changing landscape of SEC enforcement actions. Find out why elected officials and senior business officers from California to Alabama are paying a high price for disclosure problems with their bond transactions. Learn why the IRS requires you to keep tabs on your bond deal long after the closing.

Speakers:
Tim McGree, Chapman & Cutler    
Larry White, Chapman & Cutler
Mary Ann Boyle, MWRD

Melinda Molloy, Chicago Park District

Earn 1 CPE

Hot Topic:   Accounting Update - Fund Accounting Requirements

Session Description: Earlier this year, the GASB issued a proposed Statement that would fundamentally change the way that fund balance amounts are presented in financial statements.   Moreover, the proposal would clarify governmental fund type definitions. This session explores these proposals and provides the latest status report on the GASB's deliberations. In addition, two financial officials will provide their assessments on how these proposals could impact Illinois governments.

Learning Objectives: Acquire an understanding of the proposed GASB statement on fund balance reporting and governmental fund type definitions; Understand how the proposed statement distinguishes fund balance and clarifies definitions of individual governmental fund types; Learn how the fund balance proposal impacts state and local government financial statements

Speakers:
David Bean, GASB
Rita Trainor, Wheaton Park District
Barbara Ramsay, City of Champaign

Earn 1 CPE

Advanced Debt Management: Investments and Arbitrage: When Can I Keep What I've Earned?

Session Description: Once your bonds are issued, you have money to invest. What investments are permitted under Illinois law? How fast do you have to spend your money under the federal tax laws? What are the consequences if you don’t spend the money fast enough? Is there a lawful way to arbitrage your investments? These and other questions will be explored and answered, particularly in light of enhanced IRS scrutiny.

Learning Objectives: Obtain a thorough understanding of the investments permitted under the Illinois Public Funds Investment Act. Review the federal expenditure of proceeds rules. Learn the ins and outs of arbitrage and when you need to rebate your arbitrage profits to the federal government.

Speakers:
Kelly Kost, Chapman & Cutler
Bob Lewis, PMA Financial Network, Inc.

Earn 1 CPE

Hot Topic: Accounting Update - Retirement Benefits/OPEB

Session Description: With the OPEB implementation date drawing nearer, this session focuses on the fundamentals of the new reporting requirements. The session will also include a discussion of implementation issues that will likely be faced by Illinois governments and highlight some important policy issues that may need to be addressed as governments come to fully understand the long-term costs associated with their retiree healthcare programs.   

Learning Objectives: Develop a general understanding of the new financial reporting requirements related to OPEB: Recognize the major policy issues that are likely to arise when implementing the new OPEB financial reporting standards.

Speakers:
David Bean, GASB
Brian Caputo, City of Aurora

Earn 1 CPE

Advanced Debt Management: The Mayor Wants A Super Target

Session Description: Join us for a lively discussion of the economic development tools that are available to assist you in achieving the Mayor's economic development goals.

Learning Objectives: A study of the legal, political, and financial considerations involved with any economic development financing.

Speaker:
Pat Curtner, Chapman & Cutler

Robin Jones, Gorksi and Good
Chris Minnick, City of St. Charles

Peter Raphael, William Blair & Company

Earn 1 CPE

Hot Topic: Legislative Update    

Session Description: Learn what actions the 95th General Assembly took that will impact local government fiscal conditions such as the IML Pension Reform measures and the State's FY09 budget.  Also discuss measures that are pending for the next General Assembly.

Learning Objectives: Gain an understanding of key legislative measures with financial impacts for local governments.

Speakers:

Taylor Anderson, Anderson Legislative Consulting

Joe McCoy, Illinois Municipal League

Earn 1 CPE

Advanced Debt Management:   Privatization and P3s

Session Description: You have probably heard about the large upfront payments received by the City of Chicago and the State of Indiana from the long-term lease of toll roads and parking systems. This session will explain the what the "Buzz" is all about and why the privatization of public sector infrastructure is likely here to stay.   Policy, legal, procurement, and political considerations will be discussed, as well as the terms of a "typical" transaction and what assets are best suited for a long-term concession. Whether small to mid-sized municipalities are able to take advantage of this opportunity will also be considered.    

Learning Objectives:   Learn whether infrastructure privatization has any benefits for your community. Understand the advantages, disadvantages and risks of this emerging trend. Become familiar with the current market activity and transaction structures. Be better prepared if your government is approached about a possible transaction.   

Speakers:
Tom Lanctot, William Blair
Paul Volpe, CFO, City of Chicago

Earn 1 CPE

Hot Topic:  Are you ready for retirement?    

Session Description: This session will cover a number of critical questions that will assist individuals in gauging their readiness for retirement. It will focus on both IMRF benefits and other benefits you might have through personal savings plans such as a 457 savings plan. It will cover a wide range of topics from your own retirement vision to the need for a financial consultant with a wide range of topics in between such as sources of retirement income and likely retirement expenses including health and long-term care expenses.

Learning Objectives: Assist participants to prepare for the best retirement they can afford.

Speakers:
Jean Parson, IMRF
David Park, CFP, ICMA-RC

Earn 1 CPE

Advanced Debt Management:  Going for the Rating Upgrade? Taking the Stress out of Rating Agency Presentations

Session Description: Your demographics, equalized assessed valuation, housing quality, building permits, mix of revenues (sales tax, utility tax, telecommunications tax), property taxes, management strength, policies, long-term projections, capital plans and financial health all factor into your credit rating. Learn which of these are the most important in our current economic environment and how to best present them to the rating agencies for that coveted rating upgrade. Then join us for an entertaining mock rating agency presentation!

Learning Objectives: Learn from the experts what it really takes to make a “winning” presentation. What are they looking for? How should the information be presented? What does it take to get a rating upgrade?

Speakers:
Helen Samuelson, Standard and Poor's    
Melanie Shaker, Fitch Ratings
Ted Damutz, Moody's
Alek Granchalek, William Blair
Steve Noble, Village of Northfield

Earn 1 CPE

Hot Topic:   What's on your website?  

Session Description: Are you looking for creative, economical ways to make your site more purposeful, engaging, and searchable? Are you interested in learning how to integrate e-government, online payments, and multimedia into your existing Web site? If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, please join this session!

Learning Objectives: Develop an understanding of the available tools and technologies that help government succeed online. Learn specific details on how Illinois-based municipalities, park districts, schools, and libraries have implemented successful long-term Web strategies.

Speaker:
To be announced

Earn 1 CPE

Advanced Debt Management: OPEB and Pension Liabilities - Debt Financing Risks and Rewards   

Session Description: Learn about funding OPEB and pension liabilities from the perspectives of a municipality, bond counsel, investment banker, and credit rating agency.   

Learning Objectives:   To provide current information on OPEB and pension liabilities, the use of pension funding bonds to address this problem and how such bonds are structured, legal authority and constraints (especially for non-home rule municipalities), governmental/political concerns, and rating agency considerations.

Speakers:
Tom Gavin, Robert W. Baird, & Co.
Jon Kenward, Standard & Poor's
Tim McGree, Chapman & Cutler
Jeff Martynowicz, Village of Bartlett

Earn 1 CPE

Hot Topic: Bank Fraud

Session Description: This session is designed to inform public sector finance and administrative officers in the prevention, detection, and repair of financial fraud in their organizations. Past examples of fraud will be discussed and internal controls, best practices, and common tools of the trade will be highlighted. Both internal and external fraud will be addressed as will various methods, including check and electronic medium.    

Learning Objectives:   Common methods of fraud and what to do if it is discovered; ways to prevent fraud through internal controls; and bank products to apply that prevent fraud.

Speakers:
Kenneth Nimmo, Harris Bank
John Thissen, SMART Business & Advisory, LLC

Earn 1 CPE

Advanced Debt Management: Post-Issuance Compliance -- Making Sure Your Tax-Exempt Bonds Stay Tax-Exempt

Session Description: Your bond financing has closed and the money is in your account. Think you are finished? Think again. This session will explore your continuing obligations once the deal has closed and everyone goes their separate ways.   We will discuss tax and securities law compliance, record keeping requirements, and special situations that could result in your bonds being declared taxable after they are issued. Recent IRS compliance initiatives and how they impact issuers will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:   Develop an understanding of the ongoing responsibilities of issuers of tax-exempt bonds. Understanding common events that can pose a problem with your outstanding tax-exempt bonds. Learn how to set up a post-issuance compliance program and what it entails. Explore recent IRS thinking about post-issuance compliance and how they intend to enforce the rules.

Speakers:
Tim Stratton, Ice Miller LLP
Barbara Chevaler, Speer Financial
Doreen Linderman, PMA Financial Network, Inc.

Earn 1 CPE

Hot Topics:   Information technology security and software evaluation

Session Description: Many municipalities are undertaking implementations of new software applications such as new financial, accounting, billing, and payroll systems hoping reap to cost savings and operational efficiencies. However, without careful planning, these benefits may not be realized. Learn from examples of successful implementations and understand the methodologies and processes that if pursued will provide the back-end benefits that municipalities desire. Tools and templates will be provided which can be leveraged by project managers as well as Information Technology (IT) and finance personnel.

Learning Objectives:   In this session, you will learn how to identify and address key technological and personnel challenges; how to utilize tools and templates which can support the evaluation process; and how to measure success from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective.  

Speaker:
Spencer Stern, GFOA

Earn 1 CPE