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 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)
Member Services coordinates activities of the Illinois Credit Union Foundation, REAL Solutions, financial literacy programs, the Illinois Youth Involvement Council and various awards programs. Member Services acts as liaison to other Leagues, CUNA, WOCCU, NCUF and other state, national and international organizations as needed. It is also responsible for distributing Chapter meeting notices, disbursing Chapter grants, producing the credit union directory, and coordinating all aspects of League Director elections. In addition, Member Services responds to phone calls from the public interested in joining or starting up a credit union. This department is responsible for dues collection.
Communications and Regulatory Affairs (extension 3216)
Communications and Regulatory Affairs contacts the media, writes press releases and speeches, and is responsible for all internal and external public relations programs. It also oversees ICUL’s electronic communications, including listservs, updates the League’s Web site, produces Indepth, the CUPAC Chronicle and the League Director’s reports, and facilitates the Shared Chapter Advertising Program (SCAP). In addition, this department also provides critical consulting services to member credit unions with regard to regulatory, compliance and technical issues, and handles regulatory affairs on both the state and federal levels, including acting as a liaison to the DFI, NCUA and ASI, as well as providing advocacy and assistance with regard to the regulatory examination process.
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 Legislative Forum Representative 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.
Educational Development (extension 3417)
This department is responsible for numerous conferences, seminars, teleconferences, the QuickBites telephone conference series, webinars 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. Education also coordinates Internet and telephone-based training. In addition, Educational Development markets the Volunteer Achievement Program (VAP), Staff Training and Recognition (STAR), Management Enrichment Training (MERIT), and CU Advance, which are all part of the CUNA administered Certificate Program.