News from the Institute for Local Government

California Cities Use Creative Approaches to Recycling

As California residents and businesses increase the amount of material they recycle, local governments seek ways to build additional recycling facilities and expand existing programs.

Public Engagement in Budgeting Leads to Greater Trust and Transparency

Engaging the community can inform the budgeting process and help residents understand the hard choices involved.

Cities, Counties and Schools Work Together to Stretch Community Dollars

A newly updated online resource provides a framework for implementing partnerships.

Advancing Climate Action, Sustainability and Community Well-Being

A recent symposium brought together state and local leaders to explore opportunities for accelerating sustainability activities in California.

Partnering for Prosperity

Residents, entrepreneurs and nonprofit representatives in Merced share ideas on how business and community leaders can partner to help grow, strengthen and diversify the local economy.

Engaging Residents Helps Build Vibrant Communities

A new resource presents an overview of land-use planning, who is involved, why community engagement matters and ways to participate.

Community Leadership Programs: Empowering Future Leaders

Community-based organizations often provide leadership development programs for residents or specific underrepresented populations and offer an opportunity to invigorate civic engagement.

ILG Welcomes California’s Newly Elected Local Officials

Newly elected local officials and staff can get up to speed on a variety of key topics using free resources designed to meet their needs.

Be a Beacon: The Power of Recognition

The Beacon Award program, a catalyst for innovative and effective solutions, addresses climate change at the local level and informs the community about these activities.

Sustainability Yields Fiscal and Economic Benefits

New resources offer practical tips to enhance cities’ economic prosperity and fiscal health.

ILG Releases Updated Online Guide to Planning Healthy Neighborhoods

Throughout California, city and county officials make planning, policy and land-use decisions on a weekly basis. Local officials understand that such decisions affect their community’s…

How Local Officials Can Support Citizenship and Civic Participation

Approximately 2.5 million “lawful permanent residents” living in California are eligible to become U.S. citizens. Local officials can leverage their leadership to encourage naturalization…

Resources to Help Promote Public Trust and Confidence in Local Government

The competency of both local officials and staff provides a basis for establishing public trust and confidence. Elements of ethics, public input and transparency also play a key role.

Pondering Innovation at the Local Level

How does innovation occur in local government? What can local officials interested in seeing their agencies engage in innovation do to support innovation?

ILG Releases Updated Sustainability Best Practices Framework

The newly revised framework offers options to consider for local action in 10 areas from energy efficiency and conservation to efficient transportation, promoting community and individual action…

Institute Offers Resources for Sustainable Economic Development

New tools are available for local leaders looking for resources to help their cities meet fiscal challenges and thrive in today’s economic climate.

Meetings: Bane or Blessing? New Resource Center Offers Help

Meetings can present a broad range of challenges for local officials. A collection of useful materials offers practical information on related topics that include chairing a meeting, dealing with a…

In Case We Haven’t Met: ILG Provides Tools and Resources for Local Leaders

The ILG website offers a broad array of tools for newly elected local officials and their staff as well as seasoned officials.

Resources to Help New Leaders Get Started

Understanding “how to get things done as a newly elected official” is a priority for local officials. New online resources help streamline the process.