SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Municipal League (IML), in partnership with the University of Illinois Springfield, has released Volume 9 of the Illinois Municipal Policy Journal. The academic journal addresses critical issues Illinois and its municipalities are facing. This volume of the Journal includes articles that address municipal fiscal distress, the role of pandemic relief funding, burnout among emergency management professionals, the impacts of fossil-fuel plant closures, an arbitration outcomes study involving municipal employers and the integration of local public services. “The collection of articles in this volume demonstrates the ongoing effort to present municipal-focused research and issue briefs that address topics relevant to local elected and appointed officials,” said IML Chief Executive Officer Brad Cole. “The Journal offers practical insights that we hope will lead to better outcomes for municipalities and taxpayers.” Since 2016, IML has published the Journal as a valuable resource for elected and appointed officials, offering academic research on critical issues affecting Illinois and its 1,294 cities, villages and towns. It also serves as a platform for academics to share their scholarly work on significant issues such as municipal budgeting, environmental and public health challenges and public financing of infrastructure projects. The Journal is shared with political science and public administration departments at colleges and universities throughout the state. It is also distributed to the Illinois General Assembly and constitutional officers, the Illinois Congressional Delegation and other IML partners. The Journal is available, free of charge (excluding shipping and handling), at iml.org/publications. An electronic version is also available for free download at iml.org/journal. ABOUT THE ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE The Illinois Municipal League is the statewide association representing municipalities throughout Illinois. Founded in 1913, IML has worked continuously for the benefit of all 1,294 cities, villages and towns in Illinois to provide a formal voice on matters involving common interests. The League is managed under the general direction of Chief Executive Officer Brad Cole, former Mayor of the City of Carbondale. ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD The University of Illinois Springfield is one of three universities in the world-class University of Illinois System and provides students with a uniquely student-centered educational experience both in and out of the classroom through active learning, meaningful research and impactful civic engagement that prepares graduates to contribute fully to society. | 