2026 Downstate Chapter Conference
Event Details
| Registration | Register Online |
| Date | Thursday, February 5, 2026 – Friday, February 6, 2026
Save to your calendar |
| Time | 9:30am–1:00pm |
| Location |
I Hotel & Illinois Conference Center 1900 S 1st St Champaign, IL 61820 Map and directions |
| Delivery Method | In Person |
| Field of Study | Economics - Technical - 1.0 Personal Development - Non-technical - 2.0 Finance – Technical - 2.0 Business Law – Technical -1.0 Accounting (Government)– Technical - 1.0 TBD - 1.0 |
| NASBA CPE | Earn 8.00 CPE Hours |
| Contact | IGFOA info@igfoa.org |
Event Cost
| Type | Before 1/26/2026 |
|---|---|
| Members | $ 225.00 |
| Government / Partner Colleagues | $ 235.00 |
| Non-members | $ 250.00 |
Event Description
Make plans to attend the 2026 Downstate Chapter Conference at the I Hotel & Illinois Conference Center in Champaign, IL. Attendees will enjoy a variety of educational session topics and have the opportunity to earn CPE credit hours. The conference is an excellent opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and network!
Conference Program
Speaker Bios
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
MONDAY, FEBRUARY5, 2026
Session 1: What is the Federal Reserve and Why Should We Care?
Speaker: Michelle Binns, Director, PFM Asset Management
CPE: About 1.0 hours Field of Study: Economics - Technical Level: Overview
Session 2: Conflict Resolution & Management
Speaker: Scot Wrighton, Senior Management Consultant, LeaderGov; & Team Leader, Interim Solutions, LLC
CPE: About 1.0 hours Field of Study: Personal Development - Non-technical Level: Overview
Networking Luncheon
Session 3: Selecting & Empowering Teams/Evaluating Team Dynamics
Speaker: Scot Wrighton, Senior Management Consultant, LeaderGov; & Team Leader, Interim Solutions, LLC
CPE: About 1.0 hours Field of Study: Personal Development - Non-technical Level: Overview
Session 4: Safeguarding Public Funds: Illinois Investment Strategies and Options
Speakers:
Randi Van Wie, Deputy Director of Finance, City of Edwardsville
Lisa Nusko, VP, Investment Services, PTMA
Lisa joined the firm in 2017 and is responsible for the sales and marketing efforts in the Illinois municipal space. She has experience working with K-12 school districts, cities, villages, counties, special districts, insurance cooperatives, and other public authorities on their overall investment needs. In her current capacity, she works closely with clients to develop and implement prudent investment strategies for short, intermediate, and long-term funds, reviews and develops investment policies, and provides economic updates. Lisa is an active member of numerous financial associations presenting and moderating at various conferences and events. She received her MBA with a certificate in Finance from Northern Illinois University and holds Series 7, 63 and 50 securities licenses.
Sofia Anastopoulos, Executive Director, Illinois Metropolitan Investment Fund (IMET).
Sofia Anastopoulos is the Executive Director of IMET. She started her work in the public sector with the Government Finance Officers Association in 2005, then her own firm, Public Funds Consulting, before joining IMET. She is passionate about helping local governments learn, appreciate and implement best practice in treasury and investing.
Sofia is a graduate of Northwestern University and received an MBA from DePaul University in Chicago. She holds the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Matt Hanigan, Institutional Sales and Relationship Manager, PFM
Matt Hanigan is a Senior Managing Consultant based in Chicago, Illinois. He works with school districts, colleges, and Illinois governmental investors to develop and implement tailored investment strategies. Matt ensures client investment objectives and cash flow requirements are integrated into portfolio strategies and provides updates on investment programs.
CPE: About 1.0 hours Field of Study: Finance – Technical Level: Intermediate
Session 5: TBD
Networking Dinner at Aspen Tap House
2001 S Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2026
Session 6: IML Legislative Update
Speaker: Brad Cole, Executive Director, Illinois Municipal League (IML)
CPE: About 1.0 hours Field of Study: Business Law – Technical Level: Update
Session 7: GASB 103 – Understanding GASB’s Changes to the Financial Reporting Model
Speaker: Anthony Cervini, CPA, CFE, Principal, Sikich
CPE: About 1.0 hours Field of Study: Accounting (Government)– Technical Level: Overview
Session 8: Old Fashioned Payroll Practices That Need to Go
Speaker: Tim Gavin, CPA, Principal, Lauterbach & Amen, LLP
CPE: About 1.0 hours Field of Study: Finance – Technical Level: Overview
Intended Audience: All government management & finance professionals
Delivery method: Group-Live
Program Level: Refer to session information listed above.
Prerequisites: No prerequisites required
Advanced Preparation: No advanced preparation required
Field of Study: Refer to session information listed above.
Last Review/Revision/Update: February 6, 2026
NASBA CPE: Earn about 8.0 CPE Hours
Hotel room
Use this block booking link. Click to visit the login page and enter this information to access our special rate:
Block Code: IGFOA2025
Guest Password: 0mY*g
Any guests making reservations by phone at 217-819-5000 must mention the block code IGFOA2025 to any of our Guest Service Agents. Your rate will be available until the cutoff date of 01/23/2026.
Cost
Members - $225
Government / Partner Colleagues - $235
Non-Member Public Sector - $250
Presented by the Downstate chapter
Registration & Cancellation Policy
Payments by check should be mailed in advance or made at time of registration by credit card.
Cancellation of an event registration is subject to the following policy:
• No refunds will be given for cancellations the day of the event and no shows.
• For IGFOA event registration cancellations five (5) business days or more prior to an event, refunds will be offset by a $50 cancellation fee.
• For IGFOA event registration cancellations within five (5) business days of the training, refunds will be offset by a cancellation fee of 50% of the registration fee.
• A substitute attendee may be designated provided that the payment has been made and the IGFOA office has been notified in advance.
• Cancellation policy for chapter events may differ from this policy at the chapters’ discretion.
• A written request for a refund must be emailed to the IGFOA prior to the event.
By submitting this registration, the applicant agrees to the registration and cancellation policy above.
IGFOA reserves the right to modify the agenda and/or speakers, cancel the training due to low enrollment, or to close registration if full. Should IGFOA cancel an event, cancellation notice will be sent to the email address provided by each registrant and prominently posted at the IGFOA website page announcing the event.
If you have questions about the cancellation and refund policy, your membership, or a complaint, please contact IGFOA at 630-942-6587. The IGFOA reserves the right to apply the non-member fee to any individual or government that has not paid dues for the current year.
Approved by the National Registry of CPE Sponsors
CPE Registry Illinois Government Finance Officers Association (IGFOA) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State Boards of Accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.