Illinois Credit Union League: Driving Advocacy and Community Impact

The Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) serves as the primary trade association for credit unions across Illinois, focusing on uniting and advancing the industry to better serve its members. From high-stakes legal battles over payment systems to grassroots data collection on community service, the League is currently engaged in several critical initiatives designed to protect the operational viability of credit unions and amplify their social contributions.

Fighting the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA)

A primary focus for the ICUL and America’s Credit Unions is the legal challenge against the state’s Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA). The industry argues that this law would illegally restrict how financial institutions receive compensation for banking services and create a payment system in Illinois that is more complicated than in the rest of the United States.

To raise public awareness, the ICUL and America’s Credit Unions featured an advertisement in a special edition of USA Today on March 23, 2026. The campaign emphasizes that the IFPA could jeopardize the reliability and security of the payment experiences consumers depend on.

The fight is now centered on a legal appeal aimed at overturning the IFPA before it takes effect on July 1. The appeal asserts that the act is preempted by federal law. This effort is supported by several amicus briefs, including contributions from the Electronic Payments Coalition (EPC) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

Measuring Local Impact: Credit Unions in Action

Beyond legislative advocacy, the ICUL is working to quantify the tangible benefits credit unions bring to their communities. On February 26, 2026, the League launched the inaugural Credit Unions in Action (CUIA) data collection initiative.

The CUIA initiative invites Illinois credit unions to submit their 2025 community impact stories, specifically focusing on:

• Financial education programs
• Charitable giving
• Volunteerism
• General community engagement

According to Libby Calderone, President and CEO of ICUL, aggregating these stories creates a compelling narrative for policymakers and the public, demonstrating the true value of the credit union movement in strengthening local communities.

Legislative Leadership and Partnerships

Strengthening the movement requires strong allies in government. On December 23, 2025, the ICUL recognized Rep. Darin LaHood (R) as its first Federal Credit Union Legislative Champion. A member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. LaHood has been instrumental in advancing issues critical to the industry, including the preservation of credit union tax status and the modernization of boards.

With over 300,000 credit union members residing within his congressional district, Rep. LaHood’s advocacy ensures that affordable financial services remain accessible to his constituents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the goal of the Credit Unions in Action initiative?

The goal is to gather data on financial education, volunteerism, and charitable giving to demonstrate the collective community impact of Illinois credit unions and support legislative outreach.

Why are credit unions opposing the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act?

They argue the law is preempted by federal law and would make the Illinois payment system more complicated and less reliable for consumers compared to other states.

Who is the current President/CEO of the Illinois Credit Union League?

Libby Calderone serves as the President and CEO of the ICUL.

Looking Ahead

As the July 1 deadline for the IFPA approaches, the outcome of the current legal appeals will be a pivotal moment for financial institutions in Illinois. Simultaneously, the data gathered through the CUIA initiative will provide the ICUL with the empirical evidence needed to further champion the credit union model as a cornerstone of community financial health.