FEDERAL TAX REFORM A BIG WIN FOR ILLINOIS   
   
Passage of the federal tax reform package is a once-in-a generation opportunity that will help create more jobs by growing our economy and encouraging businesses to invest in our nation and state. The Illinois Chamber applauds our congressional leaders for making economic growth a priority. This month Illinois Chamber President and CEO Todd Maisch spoke with Joey McLaughlin on WTAX Newsradio applauding the passage of federal tax reform and why it's a big win for Illinois.
 
Listen here    
TRAVELERS DESERVE MODERN  
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL     
  
Inefficient air service costs consumers and businesses billions of dollars every year in lost productivity. The Illinois Chamber recognizes the need for an air traffic control (ATC) system to have the ability to handle growth. More efficient ATC will add capacity to the system and create potential access to more flights for deserving communities. "America's citizens and economy deserve a truly world-class air travel system. Congress needs to roll up its sleeves, make modernization a priority and catch America up with the rest of the world," said Illinois Chamber President and CEO Todd Maisch in an opinion piece featured in the Daily Herald Dec. 29. 

Read the full piece here
PREVENTING TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT  
FROM A SOCIOECONOMIC CRISIS 
 
Illinois House Transportation: Regulations, Roads, and Bridges Chairman Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) held a subject matter hearing on the 'Cost of maintaining existing infrastructure' right before the new year. Illinois Chamber's Ben Brockschmidt (pictured) testified on why investing in our state's infrastructure is vital to Illinois' economy. Listen here  to hear why Illinois needs to step up its infrastructure investment to compete with its neighboring states.
UTILIZING NEW TECHNOLOGIES, A GROWING TREND
 
Illinois Chamber Director of Legislative Relations Tyler Diers (on left in photo) joins Ben Taylor (on right in phot o) of the U.S. Chamber at CompTIA's State & Local Government and Education conference in Chicago. In every sector, businesses are giving themselves a top-to-bottom digital makeover, from customer relationships to supply chains. Diers shared with the group how many non-traditional technology companies are increasingly becoming more focused on utilizing new technologies.  He also offered insight into the current policy climate for the technology sector in Illinois and how local governments can adopt smart city technology through the use of public-private partnerships. Here's a tweet from our friends at CompTIA 
  
OPERATIONS AND TRANSPARENCY OF ILLINOIS INDEPENDENT TAX TRIBUNAL  

Illinois Chamber's Tax Institute Executive Director Keith Staats writes in his latest column in the Illinois CPA Society's Insight Magazine on Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal. Staats provides insight into operations and transparency of the Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal and the results of its first three years.  You can find the full column here 
IMMIGRATION REFORM A BIPARTISAN ISSUE

In early December, Illinois Chamber President and CEO Todd Maisch participated in a DACA Illinois Business Immigration Coalition event with U.S. Rep. Lipinski, U.S. Senator Durbin. The bipartisan group gathered to focus on immigration reform.
BRANDON ROAD LOCK AND DAM (TSP) CONCERN  
FOR ILLINOIS' INFRASTRUCTURE

The Illinois Chamber's Vice President of Policy and Executive Director of the Infrastructure Council Ben Brockschmidt has spent the past decade on the carp/shipping issue, including being part of the Great Lakes Commission. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce expressed disagreement to the Brandon Road Lock and Dam Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP). This plan was released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) such as Asian carp, but would have a negative impact on companies that use the waterways.  More here   
 




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