Illinois Credit Union League Departments

The Illinois Credit Union League is the primary trade association for credit unions in Illinois, which provides members with information, legislation and education.  Membership is open to any credit union operating in accordance with the Illinois Credit Union Act or the Federal Credit Union Act.  Credit unions apply for membership according to provisions in the League’s bylaws.

Office of the President (extension 3191)
The President’s office executes policies established by the Boards of Directors of the League and affiliated organizations, enhances and expands the credit union movement, meets the needs of member credit unions through a broad range of services, supervises and develops staff, oversees all operations and activities, accepts fiscal responsibility for all affiliated organizations, and serves as primary spokesman for the affiliated organization in public forums and with other related credit union organizations.

Office of General Counsel (extension 4264)
The Office of General Counsel has extensive experience with financial services law, particularly the federal and state regulation of credit unions.  Its practice focuses on legislative, regulatory and transactional issues affecting the credit union industry, as well as corporate law matters relevant to the operation of ICU System programs.  It serves as the liaison with the Illinois Division of Financial Institutions and directs the governmental affairs function, including the development and passage of the League’s annual legislative agenda.  The Office of General Counsel provides its member credit unions with authoritative legal, technical, regulatory and legislative information and support and ongoing analysis of laws, regulations and court decisions affecting their operations.  L&T Bulletins and the Information and Compliance Manual are produced by the Office of General Counsel.

Member Services (extension 3211)
The Member Services Department contacts the media, writes press releases and speeches, and is responsible for all internal and external public relations programs.  It also coordinates activities of the iBelong Campaign, the National Credit Union Brand Campaign, the Illinois Credit Union Foundation (ICUF), and the Illinois Youth Involvement Council (IYIC).   This department also oversees ICUL’s electronic communications, including listservs for small credit unions and chapter leaders, and the League E-News Direct newsletter, updates the League’s Web site, produces copy for Indepth, the annual credit union directory, and the League Director’s reports.  In addition, Member Services responds to phone calls from the public interested in joining or starting up a credit union.  This department is also responsible for dues collection.

State Governmental Affairs (217-744-1800)
State Governmental Affairs is responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing state legislative programs to enable the League, its affiliates and credit unions to maximize their potential, free of legislative and regulatory obstacles.  State Governmental Affairs also works closely with the Office of General Counsel to develop and implement the League’s yearly legislative and regulatory agenda, and reports on legislative and regulatory activities to the League’s Legislative Committee.  The department provides direction to the Credit Union Political Action Council (CUPAC), with respect to fundraising, political action programs, and political contribution recommendations; and it produces the League’s Weekly Government News electronic newsletter.  Important activities coordinated by this department include: the annual Springfield Legislative Day and State Capitol visits, the Chapter Lobby Day program; and ongoing lawmaker and legislative staff education about the role of credit unions in the financial marketplace.

Federal Governmental Affairs (extension 3717) 
Federal Governmental Affairs is responsible for planning and organizing federal legislative programs to enable the League, its affiliates and member credit unions to maximize their potential, free of legislative and regulatory obstacles.  The department serves as the liaison to the League’s Legislative Committee and CUPAC to establish fundraising and other political action programs; and it produces the CUPAC Chronicle and the Legislative Report.  In addition, this department coordinates Illinois’ participation in CUNA’s federal legislative programs, including CUNA’s annual Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., and League Congressional Hike-the-Hill visits each fall.

Educational Development (extension 3417)
The Education Development Department is responsible for numerous conferences, seminars, teleconferences, the QuickBites telephone conference series, and workshops scheduled throughout the year, including the annual convention, for the benefit of credit union board members, management and staff.  Subjects cover a wide range of operational and regulatory issues.  This department also coordinates Internet and telephone-based training.  In addition, Educational Development administers the Volunteer Achievement Program (VAP), Staff Training and Recognition (STAR), Management Enrichment Training (MERIT), the Volunteer Leadership Program (VLP), and CU Advance, which are all part of the CUNA Certificate Program.