Good morning Tech Council members and happy Sunday!
Late last week the House released the line ups for all the committees. Most notably, the House Cybersecurity, Data Analytics and IT Committee will continue to be chaired by Rep. Jamie Andrade (D- Chicago). The Committee will be vice chaired by Rep. John Connor (D- Crest Hill) and the minority spokesperson will be Rep. Keith Wheeler (R- Oswego).
BILLS OF NOTE
"Right to Repair" Returns to Springfield
A terrible piece of legislation is back in Springfield. HB 2026 (Mussman) was filed late last Friday. This bill would force original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to give up proprietary diagnostic and repair documentation to third-party vendors and repair shops is not moving this session. The bill as drafted would apply to everything from televisions to tractors, tablets to refrigerators. The Chamber has deep concerns with forcing manufacturers to give up their intellectual property to just about anyone. Warranties, public safety and emissions are critical to a device or piece of equipment. We were able to defeat this legislation last year. However, given the new sponsor, we are taking this legislation seriously.
Proposal Seeks to Make R&D Credit Permanent
A proposal to make the state's research and development credit permanent was surfaced.
SB 123 (Morrison) would p
rovide that the research and development credit applies on a permanent basis. This vital credit has expired in the past and has been used as a political bargaining chip. Making this credit permanent would provide stability to our R&D community. The Chamber supports this bill.
Digital License Plates
SB 102 (Sandoval)
Provides that the Secretary of State may authorize the issuance of a digital registration plate to a vehicle in lieu of a set of static, metal registration plates, if the vehicle owner separately purchases the digital registration plate for a particular vehicle.
Drones
HB 2295 (Hoffman) amends the Illinois Aeronautics Act. Provides that the Department of Transportation, to the exclusion of all other government entities, may adopt any rules that it finds appropriate to address the safe and legal operation of unmanned aircraft systems in the State. The Chamber supports this legislation.
Regulatory Sunrise Review Act
SB 1286 (Plummer) creates the Regulatory Sunrise Review Act. Establishes a system to investigate and review the necessity of new State regulation over a previously unregulated profession or occupation. Provides a process to investigate what level of regulation is necessary in order to protect the public health, safety, or welfare.
NEW H-1B VISA REGS EXPLAINED
As a follow up from last week's newsletter, our friends at the American Business Immigration Coalition provided a one-pager outlining the new changes. Take a look and let me know what you think
here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Chamber's Second Annual Women in Business Conference
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is hosting its second Women in Business conference on March 15th, 2019 at Pinstripes in Oak Brook, IL. The event will bring together business leaders from across the State to encourage women to invest in themselves, become courageous leaders, and be a force in their careers.
Our panel topics this year focus on practices to better diversify corporations and understanding why diversity brings more business success; individual communication tactics to send a message of confidence; and learning from proven influencers on the skills that can help you get to where you want to be professionally. These panels will be capped with keynote addresses by inspiring speakers to embolden attendees to blaze their own path. The event will end with a networking and social event.
Play, Relax, and Network with your Peers!
Join your fellow Chicagoland IT professionals, C3, and Mitel for an evening of old-fashioned competitive fun! Unwind after a long day at work and join our friends at C3 on March 7th from 4:30 - 7:00 at the Chicago Athletic Association - Game Room to network with peers, enjoy great food and drinks, play some classic games, and learn how to simplify your business communications. Click here to register.
Executive's Club - Business Technology
On Feb. 26, the Executives Club of Chicago is holding a Business Technology Forum.
The event centers on disruptive technology and its impact on business. The Club is offering comped tickets to Chamber members (usually $50 for non-members). For an agenda and list of panelists including reps from AWS and the Chicago Bears, click here.
