NOVEMBER VETO SESSION - THAT'S A WRAP 
   
This year's fall veto session wrapped up in November and was an overall victory for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. The Illinois Chamber had ten bills on the legislative docket and either defeated or successfully passed legislation on eight of the bills.   

Some of these successes are...

*    Preventing an increase in the minimum wage to $15 per hour. 
*    Stopping the wage history bill that would have increased litigation opportunities and judicial awards against employers.
*    Sustaining the governor's veto of "fake" workers' compensation reform.
*    Upholding the veto of local government right-to-work prohibition.
*    Passing new legislation promoting small cell technology, which will spur economic growth and will meet consumer demands.
*    Preventing the passage of geolocation legislation that would have had burdensome effects on businesses of all sizes in a variety of industries.
CHAMBER PRESIDENT SUPPORTS BILL FOR  
BETTER NETWORK CONNECTIVITY    
  
Illinois Chamber President and CEO Todd Masich stood up for advancing Illinois' tech industry this veto session. "By having better network connectivity, SB 1451 will help Illinois businesses attract and retain jobs while also keeping consumers connected. We recognize there are many pro-growth policies and reforms Illinois still needs to enact. But, we must still acknowledge the growing demands for Illinois businesses and consumers, such as, their reliance on high-quality wireless internet," said Maisch. The bill now heads to the governor's desk. 

MAISCH ADVOCATES FOR  
PRO-BIZ POLICIES ABROAD 
 

 Chamb er CEO Todd Maisch accompanied the US Chamber's international team, along with chamber leaders from across the country, to meet with business and government officials in Israel.  There, Maisch learned about the unique characteristics that make Israel the "Startup Nation" and made contacts to connect Illinois businesses with Israeli partners.  Among the most important meetings was one with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat (pictured here) who is helping advance that city into an internationally recognized location of peace and economic opportunity.
 
CHAMBER CEO OFFERS TESTIMONY ON FOXCONN
   
In November, the House International Trade and Commerce Committee and the House Government Transparency held a joint subject matter hearing on why Illinois lost the Foxconn plant to Wisconsin.  

Illinois Chamber President and CEO Todd Maisch offered oral testimony as to what Illinois can do to attract this sort of investment in the future and how Illinois can still take advantage of the Foxconn plant despite it being in Wisconsin.
MAISCH PUSHES FOR ECONOMIC  
PROGRESS ON EFFINGHAM RADIO 

Illinois Chamber President and CEO Todd Maisch appeared on Effingham Radio to discuss the need for a healthier economy. Maisch discusses how landing the Amazon headquarters would be a state and regional win.  Illinois' qualified workforce is a huge advantage, as well as it's geography, and transportation infrastructure.

Additionally, the Chamber addresses the state tax reform agenda.  Scaling back rates would send positive messages to small businesses which create the vast majority of new jobs in Illinois and the nation.

A LETTER TO CONGRESS:  
FEDERAL TAX REFORM NEEDS

The Illinois Chamber's Tax Institute applauded the passage of tax reform legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 16. The Illinois Chamber looks forward to further passage of tax reform legislation and then to productive discussions to harmonize the House and Senate bills.

The Illinois Chamber supports the retention of full interest deductibility, which is of critical importance to the Illinois agriculture community; the repeal of the estate tax, and the move to a system of territorial taxation.

Read the full letter here.
ORTEGA KEEPS INTERNATIONAL  
PUBLIC POLICY A PRIORITY
           
Illinois Chamber representative Laura Ortega attended the Trade in Services Conference Ecuador 2017 to discuss strategies to apply IT horizontally in the economy, geopolitics and international trade in services, and public policy on an international level.  
 
STAATS DELVES INTO TAXES     
           

On Nov. 15 Illinois Chamber of Commerce's Keith Staats presented a "Report from Springfield" to the Chicago Bar Association State and Local Tax Committee. Staats addressed what happened, what didn't happen and gave predictions for next year. Additionally, Staats participated in a panel called "Potential Consolidation of Illinois Administrative Hearings and Impact on Tax Tribunal" on Nov. 30. The panel explored Illinois' intention to consolidate the Illinois Administrative Hearing Divisions and the impact this condition would have on the tax tribunal and the Illinois Department of Revenue's Administrative Hearings Division.  
IN THE NEWS

In the month of November, we spoke to radio, television, and print media outlets, delivering pro-business values to audiences across Illinois.
 
Tax Reform
*     Impact of tax incentives on state's economy
*     Illinois Revives Premier Corporate Tax Incentives

Illinois and Governor Rauner
*     Illinois' 2017 legislative session described as one of the worst for business in decades

Illinois economy
*     10 years after financial crisis, Illinois' manufacturing industry yet to recover  
*     Illinois manufacturing jobs lag, but Supreme Court may fix what's broke
*     Are "secret negotiations" the biggest reason why businesses aren't picking Illinois?
*     Company Returns Illinois' First Fracking Permit, Citing "Burdensome" Rules, Commodity Prices
*     Research & Commentary: Illinois Regulations Acting as a De Facto Ban on Hydraulic Fracturing
*     Local opposition hasn't stopped proposed wireless antenna law
*     My View: It's time to regulate burdensome regulations
*     Commentary: Will Ohio turn its back on the benefits of competition?

 




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