May 2017 Advocacy Report

"PRIVACY" BILLS BAD FOR SMALL BIZ

Cloaked under the description of "privacy" legislation, a package of bills under consideration in Springfield takes solid aim at two of the state's key economic performers-small businesses and the burgeoning tech industry in Illinois.

These bills include complex compliance regulations, which would apply to businesses of all sizes, but would place an enormous burden on small businesses statewide. Read more...

EMPLOYER ACTION DAY 2017

The Illinois Chamber held its annual Employer Action Day on April 26, 2017. This annual event brings in Chamber members from across the state for a day in Springfield devoted to policy and action. Attendees were briefed on the latest Statehouse issues including a discussion on education funding reform between House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie and Sec. of Education Dr. Beth Purvis.

The Chamber once again welcomed Gov. Bruce Rauner as the keynote speaker who reassured Chamber members that he will continue fighting for business reforms for the state of Illinois. Read more...

CHAMBER RELEASES "JOB CRUSHERZ" LIST

The Illinois Chamber unveiled a website shining a spotlight on some of the worst bills currently pending in the statehouse. The bills on the "Job Crusherz" list cover the topics of minimum wage, workers' compensation, income tax, recreational marijuana, overregulation issues and more. For more information and to view the Illinois Chamber of Commerce's "Job Crusherz" Click here.

CHAMBER SUPPORTS
INVESTMENT IN DATA CENTERS

During the two-week legislative recess in mid-April, the Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee met in Chicago to hold a subject-matter hearing on tax credits. The committee heard testimony on HB 818, an Illinois Chamber initiative, that would provide for a sales tax exemption for building materials, machinery and equipment used in the construction and operation of data centers. In addition, an electricity excise tax exemption would also be offered to help offset some of the high-power costs incurred in the operation of data centers. Keith Staats, executive director of the Chamber's Tax Institute testified in support of the bill. Read more...

CONGRESSMAN ROSKAM
DEBRIEFS HEALTHCARE REFORM

Congressman Peter Roskam (pictured at right) and MATTER CEO Steven Collens were special guests at the Aprill 11 Healthcare Council quarterly meeting. Congressman Roskam debriefed attendees on the current state-of-play of healthcare reform (or rather the lack thereof), recognizing the challenges that the House Republicans have faced in repealing the Affordable Care Act including divisions between the conservative wing of the party (the Freedom Caucus) and the moderate wing (the Tuesday Group).
Read more...

BNSF HOSTS INFRASTRUCTURE MEETING IN ELWOOD

Following a tour of the BNSF intermodal yard just outside Elwood, IL, Congressman Adam Kinzinger stopped by to engage with our members and discuss what's happening in Washington, DC. He was joined on the tour and at the meeting by State Senator Sue Rezin, State Representatives Marcus Evans Jr. and Margo McDermed (Chairman and Spokesperson of the House Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee) and Jim Moustis, County Board Speaker of Will County along with his Chief of Staff Ragan Freitag.