Illinois Chamber, Government Affairs Report

 

 

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS ------------Report

 

 

July 12th, 2024   This Week in Illinois

 

President & CEO Sandoval Testifies in Senate Transportation Committee Hearing on Mass Transit and the Economy   On Tuesday, the first of at least six hearings on public transit was held at the Bilandic Building in Chicago. There is an anticipated funding gap that will arise for regional transit in 2026 after COVID-related federal funding has been exhausted. The budget deficit is projected to be $730 million to return to pre-pandemic service levels. This first Senate Transportation Committee hearing was on how transit supports the economy.   The series of hearings will focus on the economy, public health, climate, community quality of life, and access. The hearings have the goal of determining what governance model works best and what changes in service and funding are needed.   Tuesday's proceedings consisted of two panels as well as individual testimony from members of the public and lasted close to four hours. The first panel featured RTA Chairman Dillard as well as CTA President Carter, METRA CEO Derwinski, and Pace Executive Director Metzger. The second panel featured business and labor interests. Illinois Chamber President & CEO Sandoval testified alongside leadership from the Chicagoland Chamber, Chicago Federation of Labor, Metropolitan Planning Council, and ATU Local 241.   President & CEO Sandoval's remarks had a few major themes.   ·   Encouragement of a balanced funding solution that doesn't overly burden businesses. ·   Prioritization of safety and user experience. ·   Personal experience as a Chicago resident and the recognition for a statewide perspective.   If your business or organization would like to participate in future hearings on mass transit funding, provided below is scheduling on the subject.   Wednesday, July 24 at 10 a.m. - South Suburbs of Cook County ·   Subject: Transit must be accessible and equitable   Thursday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. – Counties of DuPage, Will, and Kendall ·   Subject: Transit support community quality of life   Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. - Kane County and McHenry County ·   Subject: Transit is crucial for public health   Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. - Northwest Suburbs of Cook County and Lake County ·   Subject: Transit mitigates climate impact   Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. – Springfield Subject: Funding transit is a statewide priority

 

Illinois Chamber Releases Summer Advocacy Report   Throughout the early summer season, our members and staff have been active in communities across the State. The Chamber's recent release of the Quarter 2 Advocacy Report shines a spotlight on the efforts of our members and the engagement of our staff.   The Chamber is happy to be an advocate and aid for the improvement of business within Illinois. If you have any events or programs that you would like to see Chamber attendance or collaboration, please don't hesitate to reach out.   We look forward to the opportunity to work on your behalf in the next quarter!   To view the full report click HERE.

 

Local Chambers: 2024 Legislative Presentation Opportunity   The Illinois Chamber is pleased to offer in-person and virtual legislative recap presentations to local chambers across the state. This opportunity, offered exclusively as a benefit to local chambers within our membership, provides insight into the major legislative action that occurred this spring at the statehouse and what it means for Illinois businesses.   If you are putting together programming for the rest of this summer and fall we are happy to offer our services on this topic to keep your members informed on the most critical advocacy items.   For any questions, please contact Andrew Cunningham at acunningham@ilchamber.org or Jordan Ryan at jryan@ilchamber.org   Illinois Lottery Kicks Off Its 50th Anniversary Celebration   The Illinois Lottery is celebrating its 50th anniversary in July, and they’re kicking off the huge milestone with fun new ways to win this summer. To celebrate 50 years of playing, winning, and giving back to good causes, the Illinois Lottery is rolling out several exciting promotions, sweepstakes, and more!   50th Anniversary Promotions:   ● Celebration 2nd Chance: Enter for a chance to be one of fifty $500 weekly winners. Final prizes include five $50,000 winners and one $500,000 winner!   ● Get in the Groove Sweepstakes: Join in on the groove for a chance to win Instant Tickets and up to a $500 gift card.   ● Retail Tour: Look out for our 50th anniversary retail tour that is happening now across Illinois until the end of August to play fun games, win prizes and benefit our good causes. See times and locations here to participate.    At the Illinois Lottery, it’s not just about providing a chance to win – it's about playing with purpose. Since 1985, the Illinois Lottery has contributed over $24 billion to the Common School Fund to assist K-12 public schools.   The Illinois Lottery also sells specialty scratch tickets where 100% of the profits fund good causes throughout the State. This includes funding organizations such as the United Negro College Fund, Illinois DREAM Fund, Alzheimer’s Association, and the Special Olympics, as well as supporting causes like breast cancer, HIV and AIDS, homelessness, and more. Since 2006, the Illinois Lottery has contributed over $92 million to the specialty ticket program.      Save the Date: Illinois Chamber of Commerce Annual Luncheon   On Thursday, September 19, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., business leaders from around Illinois will gather at the Marriott Marquis in Chicago for the Illinois Chamber's 2024 Annual Luncheon.   The Annual Luncheon provides an opportunity to gather with business leaders to strive toward a better and brighter future for everyone in Illinois. The event has repeatedly served as a platform for highlighting and addressing business-related concerns at the forefront of the public agenda. This year's event will center around the theme "Innovation to Drive Growth: The Formula for Business Resilience."   "I am proud of our lineup of speakers for this year's event," said Chamber President and CEO Lou Sandoval. "We have enhanced the Chamber's signature event of the year to address one of the key opportunities facing business in today's market - innovation. It will be great to see our members from throughout the state come together to continue to make Illinois the great place to do business that we all know it is."   We are proud to announce that David M. Foulkes, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Brunswick Corporation, will be this year's keynote speaker. David was appointed Brunswick's chief executive officer and non-independent director in January 2019. Mr. Foulkes had served as president - Brunswick marine consumer solutions, as well as retaining his role as Brunswick's chief technology officer (CTO).    Mr. Foulkes joined Brunswick in 2007 and for ten years he was head of product development at Mercury Marine, during which time he led the development of Mercury's line-up of market-leading outboard engines, including the recently introduced V-6 and V-8 outboard engines and advanced vessel controls, as well as the new MerCruiser gasoline and diesel inboard/sterndrive engines.    “I am honored to join the Illinois Chamber of Commerce as the Keynote Speaker at their September event,” said Dave Foulkes, Brunswick Corporation CEO. “Brunswick is proud to be headquartered in Illinois and has a long history of collaborating with a network of Illinois-based companies and organizations. The Next Never Rests spirit embodied in Brunswick’s tagline reflects a commitment that is shared with the Illinois Chamber to constantly demonstrate innovative solutions that enhance and elevate the experiences of our respective customers and partners through economic cycles.”   We are excited to announce that Lourdes Duarte, Co-anchor and Lead Investigative Reporter from WGN, will be serving as the emcee for the event.   Lourdes Duarte is a four-time EMMY Award winner. She co-anchors the WGN Evening News at 4pm and is one of the station’s lead investigative reporters. She started her journalism career as a reporter for Telemundo Chicago. She then went on to work in news markets throughout the country including Miami, Indianapolis and Detroit.   Register: Here

 

Apply Today: US Chamber America’s Top 100 Small Businesses    Attention Small Business Owners! We are thrilled to inform you of a new opportunity to apply to be one of the 100 small businesses selected for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO—100: America’s Top 100 Small Businesses. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and CO—, the Chamber’s award-winning digital platform for small businesses, are looking for America’s top digital innovators, customer champions, growth accelerators, disruptors, and global stars.   Small business owners can apply now through July 8 for a chance to be recognized on this elite list. The small businesses that make the CO—100 list will gain national brand visibility, unmatched access to top experts and thought leaders, exclusive VIP perks and benefits, networking opportunities, and a chance to be awarded $25,000 for being named America’s Top Small Business of the Year. The CO—100 will be invited to Washington, D.C. for a premier event on October 8at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's historic headquarters.   Apply: Here.

 

Spring Session Update   The Senate adjourned on Sunday, May 26th until the call of the Senate President. With the adjournment of the House on the morning of May 29th, both chambers have now concluded business for the 2024 spring legislative session.   Neither chamber will return to Springfield until the fall veto session which will take place November 12th-14th and 19th-21st. View the calendar here.

 

Illinois Chamber End of Session Report

 

Bills of Interest Signed Into Law   HB 4615, Sunset Extension Omnibus was signed into law. This bill amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act, the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, and the Public Utilities Act. Extends, removes, or modifies repeal dates and other dates. Further amends the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act. Provides that an authority may charge an application fee of $1,000 for each small wireless facility addressed in an application that includes the installation of a new utility pole (rather than a new utility) for such collocation. Provides that an authority may charge recurring rates and application fees up to the amount permitted by the Federal Communication Commission in a specified ruling or in subsequent rulings, orders, or guidance issued by the Federal Communication Commission regarding fees and recurring rates. Provides that an authority may charge an annual recurring rate to collocate a small wireless facility on an authority utility pole located in a right-of-way that equals (i) $270 (rather than $200) per year or (ii) the actual, direct, and reasonable costs related to the wireless provider's use of space on the authority utility pole, and makes conforming changes.   HB 5395- Governor’s insurance overhaul- Signed into law as PA 103-650 effective Jan 1, 2025.   HB 5559, Auto Insurance was signed into law. This bill provides that upon the determination of a total loss of an insured vehicle, the insurance company shall provide the insured with a brief description of how that determination was made, including any available repair estimate, estimated vehicle salvage value, assessed market value, and other costs and calculations used.   SB 2862, In-Demand Jobs was signed into law. This bill provides that the list of the most in-demand jobs in this State shall be compiled in collaboration with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Department of Employment Security. Provides that upon request, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Department of Employment Security shall furnish data to the Board of Higher Education.   SB 2930, Non-Profit Demographics was signed into law. This bill provides that, within 30 days after filing its annual AG990-IL Charitable Organization Annual Report, a corporation that reports grants of $1,000,000 or more to other charitable organizations shall post on its publicly available website, if one exists, the aggregated demographic information of the corporation's directors and officers, including race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Provides that the aggregated demographic information shall be accessible on the corporation's publicly available website for at least 5 years after it is posted. Provides that the Department of Human Rights shall work with community partners to prepare and publish a standardized list of demographic classifications to be used by the Secretary of State and corporations for the reporting of the aggregated demographic information. Provides that, in collecting the aggregated demographic information, a corporation shall allow for an individual to decline to disclose any or all personal demographic information to the corporation. Effective January 1, 2025.   SB 2933, Medical Debt was signed into law. This bill Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act for a consumer reporting agency: (1) to make, create, or furnish any consumer report or credit report containing, incorporating, or reflecting any adverse information that the consumer reporting agency knows or should know relates to medical debt incurred by the consumer or a collection action against the consumer to collect medical debt; and (2) to maintain in the file on a consumer any information relating to medical debt incurred by a consumer or a collection action against the consumer to collect medical debt. Provides that the definition of "medical debt" does not include debt charged to a credit card or an open-end or close-end extension of credit made by a financial institution to a borrower  unless the open-end or close-end extension of credit may be used by the borrower solely for the purpose of the purchase of health care services.   SB 3175, Noise Suppression was signed into law. This bill provides that, on or before July 1, 2025, the Department of Transportation may, subject to appropriation, create and implement a Type II Noise Suppression Program to provide noise abatement on existing highways in the State.   SB 3451, Rail Safety Recommendations was signed into law. This bill provides that a railroad passenger service, a Transportation Service Association, the Department of Transportation, the Regional Transportation Authority, the Chicago Transit Authority, and the Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority shall issue an annual report on or before December 31 of each year containing all rail safety recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board during the previous 12 months and the status of the entity's implementation of those recommendations. Provides that the Federal Railroad Corporation (also known as Amtrak) and the Bi-State Development Agency may issue a similar report. Provides that a report issued under the provisions shall be made publicly available on the website of the entity.    SB 3679, Business Improvement Districts-Support was signed into law. This bill creates the Business Improvement District Law. Provides for the establishment of business improvement districts by a municipality by ordinance after petition by property owners, creation of a district plan, notice, and hearings. Provides that a business improvement district may impose district charges on property owners whose real properties are located within the business improvement district. Provides that the board of directors of a business improvement district shall administer or implement activities and improvements specified in the district plan unless the board contracts with a district management association to do so. Contains provisions relating to district plans, formation of a district, district boundaries, terms and renewal of districts, amendment to district plans, governance of the district, reports of the board of directors of a business improvement district, contesting the validity of a business improvement district, district plan, or district charge, dissolution, and legislative purpose. Provides that the Act applies only to municipalities having a population exceeding 500,000.   Register Today - State and Local Tax Procedural Issues: Audits, Assessments and Litigation: The Nitty-Gritty   States and local governments continue to be aggressive in auditing companies of all sizes. How companies handle tax audits can have a significant impact on the bottom line. Join us for a webinar featuring two attorneys who are very experienced in representing clients in state and local tax audits. Paul Bogdanski is a Managing Director in Grant Thornton’s state and local tax practice. David Kupiec is the founding partner of the law firm of Kupiec & Martin.   Location: Virtual event Date and time: Thu, Jul 25, 2024 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Register: here