IMTA HISTORY 

The Illinois Municipal Treasurers Association was established to promote the general and professional interests of municipal treasurers in Illinois and their respective municipalities: to obtain a higher standard of efficiency, to improve service and relations with allied institutions, and to inspire friendly and fraternal feelings among the members.

In the beginning, there was only one municipal treasurer's association --it was based in California.  Most of its members were naturally from California, although its membership was open to all. There was a need for an association that could concentrate on the needs of municipalities and their treasurers here in Illinois.

Our Illinois Association met as a committee during its formulation period, which lasted nearly two years. The IMTA was officially organized during the Illinois Municipal League Conference at the Chicago Hilton in the fall of 1973 with seventeen treasurers as its charter membership.

Membership: Strength in numbers.

From the beginning the IMTA was established for the benefit of smaller municipalities. But the size of the communities has proven not to be a criterion for interest in membership. From cities like Peoria, Tinley Park and Springfield to Small towns such as Hainesville, Villa Grove and Louisville, the IMTA has built its strength.

All members have traditionally one thing in common--the desire to better serve their communities by lifting the office of the treasurer towards a high standard of efficiency and commitment. One of the most important attributes belonging to membership is the friendly and fraternal feelings that have been inspired among its members.

Following is a sample of the growth in membership experienced by the IMTA since it's inception:

1973    17 members
1978    86 members
1982    179 members
1986    238 members
1998    278 members
1999    287 members
2000    304 members
2001    320 members
2004    353 members
2005    360 members (north 189, central 92, south 71, out of state 8)
2006    334 members (north 179, central 79, south 69, out of state 7)

EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS: Our #1 reason for being

First, and foremost, we have conducted educational seminars for treasurers and financial officers of all municipalities. This has been done on both statewide and regional basis. These seminars include one-day workshops, two and three-day conferences, and also the Illinois Municipal Treasurers Institute which is a four day affair leading to certification as an Illinois municipal treasurer, and at the national level.

The range of topics covered at the seminars include current legislative and professional issues, budgeting, bonding, motor fuel taxes, audit control, investments, police and fire pension administration, economic development, grants, home rule, and interest rates, just to name a few. The topics have been as many and varied as our membership. These seminars have been provided since our inception.

IPTIP: Our gift to you.  Now known as "The Illinois Funds"

"The Illinois Funds"   previously known as The Illinois Public Treasurer's Investment Pool, was established by the IMTA with the help of the State Treasurer, Alan Dixon.   Mr. Dixon deserves much of the credit in the successful development of this statewide pool.

The "The Illinois Funds" is designed as a convenient means of investing short term funds held by municipalities, it provides for investment of municipal funds for as short as one day. The Illinois Funds  interest rate, because of the amounts of pooled funds, are the best available on a daily basis.  Interest is computed and reinvested daily.  The Illinois Funds continues to be administered by Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. This pool has grown to more than three billion dollars in assets and over 1700 members.

REGIONALIZATION: Bringing the Association to You!

The division of our state into regions was first discussed in 1979 as a means of cutting travel costs of seminar participants. Because of the large area covered by our State, it was believed that meetings on a  regional basis would provide a more convenient service to Illinois treasurers.

The state was divided into four regions: the Chicago area, and the Northern, Central, and Southern regions. The Southern region was the first to organize, when it held a seminar and business in Mt. Vernon in 1983.  By 1984, all regions outside the Chicago area had organized and held seminars.  The regions continue to meet periodically.

CERTIFICATION: A step towards the future!

The concept of certification was introduced in 1979 when the IMTA board of directors was studying the increasingly complex Illinois municipal government scene and the level of administrative expertise needed for adept administration.  Population changes, increased municipal responsibilities, and extensive social and legislative change had increased the difficulty and importance of the treasurers function. The board of directors believed that continuing professional education was needed to help treasurers acquire necessary new skills and knowledge.

Thus the idea of certification surfaced which would give Illinois municipal treasurers distinction who had completed a specified minimum amount of educational requirements and had experience as a municipal treasurer.  Attendance at IMTA provided seminars and membership in IMTA as well as on a national level also count toward certification.

Certification means that a treasurer, is capable of developing and maintaining a high level of administrative and functional expertise in his or her Office.

THE ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL TREASURERS INSTITUTE:
Our pride and joy!

In 1981, in direct support of the certification program, the IMTA worked to establish the Municipal Treasurers Institute. This Institute was designed from the beginning to fulfill the educational requirements necessary for certification at both the state and national levels.  The first Institute was held at Northern IL University, Aug 1982.  Institute was moved to Eastern IL University in 1984.

The certification program and the Treasurers Institute have been a tremendous undertaking, involving much time on the part of the IMTA board of directors, its certification Committee, and the host universities involved.

The Treasurers Institute is an intensive four-day residential program of continuing professional education for municipal treasurers, general finance officers, and certified public accountants.

Mary Ulrich, Peoria recalls "Mildred Arends had the first meeting in Peoria and it was a luncheon meeting, year unknown.  Janice Tellier, Springfield was the first paid membership coordinator.  There was a Treasurer from East Moline that kept records prior to Janice, however she did not provide us with the records when she left as Treasurer."

CHANGES/ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
2005-2006
    Establish "The Illinois Funds Partnership Program" with State Treasurer
    Add "E-Help" files to website
2004-2005
    Electronic Public Relations form
    "Buddy Program" at Treasurers Institute
2002-2003
    IMTA E-Help program
    Presented five sessions of APT's "Disaster Preparedness for Finance"
2001-2002
    Signed a contractual agreement with Eastern Illinois University for Association Coordinator services provided by JoEllen Hickenbottom.
    Created procedures outlining the duties and important dates for each officer.
2000-2001
    Established relations with IGFOA for co-sponsoring future education events
    Improved Legislative Committee's efforts
1999-2000
    9/99  Roundtable meetings can count towards certification points.
    IMTA Standing Rules
1998-1999
    Immediate Past President has board voting privileges
    Cash Handling Training programs were introduced
    11/98  IMTA Homepage went on-line