Joe McCoy

Illinois State Association of Counties Executive Director | Leadership | Tennis Enthusiast | Books and Ideas | Illinois News | White Sox | Bears | #TWILL

[Joe McCoy @JoeMcCoy_]

ISACo's 2026 end-of-session summary is available here.📫 https://t.co/0p2CZLS3oP

[Joe McCoy @JoeMcCoy_]

On Memorial Day we remember and honor the brave Americans who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice secured the freedoms we enjoy and often take for granted. Raise a glass today in tribute to those who sacrificed so much and the families who carry that loss forever.

[Joe McCoy @JoeMcCoy_]

My statement on Illinois' wind and solar siting law following approval of a 6,100-acre solar farm in Will County. https://t.co/leVi2hX1J0

[Joe McCoy @JoeMcCoy_]

The story you believe about yourself matters...a lot.

Research increasingly suggests that resilience, grit, and mental toughness are tied less to talent or luck and more to the story people carry about themselves, who they believe they are, what adversity means, and whether they see themselves as capable of enduring difficult things.

That’s powerful because it means one of the most important factors in success is not fixed. It can be cultivated.

There’s also a strong connection to Stoicism. The Stoics believed that while we can’t control many external events, we can shape our interpretation of them. We can reframe events and circumstances and choose the meaning we assign to setbacks, failures, criticism, and uncertainty.

There’s constant pressure to let other people define us. But one of the most important responsibilities we have is protecting the narrative we hold about ourselves.

Not a delusional story. Not arrogance. But a grounded belief that we are capable of growth, endurance, adaptation, and purpose.

Because eventually, people often become the story they repeatedly tell themselves. Write yourself a good one.

[Joe McCoy @JoeMcCoy_]

It should be unnerving that otherwise highly intelligent and successful people make critical misjudgments all the time:

A bank president told Henry Ford that "the horse is here to stay but the automobile is only a novelty - a fad."

The CEO of intel said "The idea of a personal communicator in every pocket is a pipe dream driven by greed."

The former CEO of Microsoft said "There's no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share."

CEO's of major music and video rental companies believed their business model was timeless and didn't need to adapt to the digital world.

Legislation enacted into law to solve a problem creates other problems.

Some foreign policy experts believed we'd reached "the end of history" following the Cold War.

In the 1990s, some economists wondered if we had conquered the business cycle.

The only antidote is to constantly evaluate your assumptions and avoid feeling completely certain about anything. Listen to contrary opinions. Create room to change your mind if necessary.

[John Greenewald, Jr. @theblackvault]

Here is a thread of each of the UFO videos released today by the Department of War.

[Joe McCoy @JoeMcCoy_]

ISACo's News Release on the proposed reduction of LGDF revenue to counties and municipalities.

[Kalshi Football @KalshiFB]

Jim Cornelison singing the national anthem as NFL Films captured players and fans singing along.

[Joe McCoy @JoeMcCoy_]

Congrats to everyone who won in yesterday’s primary election.🗳️🇺🇸

And to those who didn’t, you survived yard signs, awkward conversations, and more handshakes than anyone should reasonably have to endure. That counts for something.

In all seriousness, a big thank you to everyone who put their name on the ballot. It takes guts to step up and run, and that kind of commitment to your community matters.

[Joe McCoy @JoeMcCoy_]

Greetings from Washington, D.C.!

[Joe McCoy @JoeMcCoy_]

Grateful for the opportunity to be at the National Association of Counties (NACo) offices in Washington, D.C. today for an important discussion on federal-state-local coordination.

The meeting features Jared Borg, Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for State Governments, Eryn Hurley, NACo’s Chief Government Affairs Officer, and a panel of congressional staffers.

The conversation is focused on issues that directly impact counties and residents across the country — including energy, transportation, the environment, immigration, grant funding, federal regulations, and more. Always valuable to hear perspectives from the administration, Congress, and NACo as counties continue to serve on the front lines of policy implementation.

Appreciate NACo convening these discussions and ensuring county voices remain part of the national conversation.

[Joe McCoy @JoeMcCoy_]

@danwiederer Offense struggled early.

[Joe McCoy @JoeMcCoy_]

The arrow is pointing up for @ChicagoBears offense. The defense can't get off the field and will be the reason for a probable early exit from the playoffs. Still a good season. Need to draft heavily on defense this year.

[Joe McCoy @JoeMcCoy_]

Tragic to learn that Rob Reiner and his wife were murdered. Reportedly by a family member. I'll always remember him in the role of "Meathead" in All In the Family. The show was culturally impactful through the use of comedy to reveal the irrationality of bigotry.