GIS Services Specialist

Alabama hunters: major changes are coming to your hunting & fishing licenses this month. Alabama hunters and anglers are about to see one of the biggest upgrades to the licensing system in years. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is rolling out a modernized platform called MyOutdoorAlabama.com in partnership with Tyler Technologies and OneOutdoors. While the new system promises a smoother experience long-term, there are some important dates and steps Alabama hunters need to know. Key dates you cannot miss. * July 13, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. CT - The current licensing and harvest reporting system (Game Check) will shut down. * July 13-15, 2026 - License sales and mandatory harvest reporting will be completely unavailable online, through the app, or at retail agents while the system upgrades. * July 16, 2026 (anticipated) - Early account access opens. You'll be able to log in, claim your profile, and update your information on the new platform. * August 31, 2026 - All current 2025-2026 annual hunting and fishing licenses officially expire. * September 1, 2026 - The new system fully opens for 2026-2027 annual licenses, special permits, and new Lifetime Disabled Resident Licenses. What this means for you. The good news is the new platform is designed to be more user-friendly with: * One-time secure account setup * Easier renewals and license viewing * Better mobile experience * Simpler document uploads for military and disability licenses Hunter Nation Alabama has been following these changes closely. Modern, efficient systems help more people get outside - but only if the transition is smooth for hunters and landowners. What you should do this week. * Buy or renew any needed licenses before July 13 if you plan to hunt or fish in the near future. * Locate your Conservation ID - you'll need it to transition your account on July 16. * Mark your calendar for early access on July 16 and plan to log in and update your profile and payment information. * Watch for official updates from ADCNR and Outdoor Alabama. Hunter Nation Inc.'ll continue monitoring the rollout and will share practical tips once the new system is live. Hunter Nation Alabama is here to help. Big system changes like this are exactly why having a strong voice for hunters at the state level matters. Hunter Nation Inc. is committed to making sure Alabama's outdoor community stays informed and that these transitions don't create unnecessary barriers to hunting and fishing. Alabama has a proud hunting heritage. Staying on top of changes like this helps protect access and keep the next generation engaged. Join the fight and stay connected. Ready to get more involved? * Join Hunter Nation Alabama at hunternation.org/alabama * Enter the 2026 Dream Hunt Sweepstakes for a chance at epic hunts (Yukon Moose, Western Elk, and more) * Follow Hunter Nation Alabama on Facebook and Instagram for updates and events

County says property tax bills will be delayed again. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle says second installment property tax bills will be delayed by about two months this year, continuing the fiasco of delayed bills in recent years that have left local governments in a pinch. In an attempt to assist public agencies that need the money on time, county officials said Tuesday that Preckwinkle would reopen the county's Property Tax Bridge Fund program, a $300 million no-interest loan program for taxing districts that rely on timely tax payments, but the City of Evanston won't qualify for a loan under new eligibility requirements this year. The delays have plagued public agencies and school districts statewide, including in Evanston, where District 65 officials said last year's delay cost the district $1.14 million "in real, avoidable taxpayer impact." Evanston Township High School was forced to borrow $25 million last year to help pay bills, blaming county officials for "cataclysmic incompetence" and an erosion of trust during the debacle. And city officials said they were out about $25 million as well to start 2026 because of the payment delays, which county officials blamed on Tyler Technologies, the contracted company managing the payments using outdated computer systems. Preckwinkle, in a statement, said the county was "committed to open communications with taxing bodies" this year and tried to soften concern about the continued impacts of the property tax snafu. "The long-term answer is a property tax system with clearer responsibility, fewer handoffs and greater accountability," Preckwinkle said in a statement. The city and school districts received assistance from the fund in 2025, but eligibility requirements announced Tuesday lock Evanston out of receiving assistance this year. The county says that local jurisdictions must be reliant on property taxes for 50% or more of total government revenue to be eligible, with additional consideration for disinvested communities that do not meet that requirement. Evanston receives less than 20% of its total revenues from property taxes, according to the city's 2026 budget and a city spokesperson confirmed to Evanston Now on Wednesday that "The city does not qualify" for the program this year.