March 15, 2019
ISACo News and Views
This Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) weekly News and Views newsletter spotlights introduced legislation, highlights ISACo's successful Open House event, includes legislation of interest that advanced during the past week, provides links to ISACo's social media platforms, looks at key upcoming dates on the legislative calendar and invites counties to join ISACo. Please visit our website (www.isacoil.org) for additional resources and information.
Legislative Spotlight
ISACo maintains an updated list of legislation of interest to counties. This list is organized by category and available within the legislative section of our website (linked here) .

ISACo has taken positions on several bills. A list of these bills, along with ISACo's position, is available via this link.

ISACo will frequently highlight bills of interest in the "Legislative Spotlight" section of our weekly newsletter. This week's highlighted bills are below:

House Bill 1452 (Representative Bourne, R-Litchfield)
House Bill 1452 (available via this link) would amend the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act to provide that, in calendar year 2019, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may certify an additional 25 Enterprise Zones. Provides that, for Enterprise Zones scheduled to expire after January 1, 2024, the application process shall begin 5 years prior to the year in which the Zone expires. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may award partial points during the application process if the applicant demonstrates job creation and investment levels below the threshold set forth in the statute. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may adjust the scoring for applicants that are located entirely within a county with a population of less than 300,000 if the Department finds that the designation will help to alleviate the effects of poverty and unemployment within the proposed Enterprise Zone. Provides for provisional certification of substantially complete Enterprise Zone applications. ISACo SUPPORTS

House Bill 1597 (Representative Bristow, D-Alton)
Senate Bill 1597 (available via this link) would amend the State Finance Act to create the Transportation Maintenance Fund and provide that moneys in the Transportation Maintenance Fund shall be used by the Department of Transportation for the maintenance and construction of roads and bridges in the State. Provides for transfers from the General Revenue Fund to the Transportation Maintenance Fund if the average balance in the General Revenue Fund for any fiscal year exceeds the average balance in the General Revenue Fund for the immediately preceding fiscal year by more than 2%. ISACo SUPPORTS

Senate Bill 177 (Senator Harris, D-Harvey)
Senate Bill 177 (available via this link) would amend the Motor Fuel Tax Law to provide that no municipality, county, or road district that received motor fuel tax distributions totaling more than $1,000,000 in the previous State fiscal year shall receive a future distribution of motor fuel tax moneys unless that municipality, county, or road district implements a business enterprise program setting goals for the inclusion of minority, veteran, and female-owned businesses in the procurement of contracts. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall assist municipalities, counties, and road districts in implementing those programs.  ISACo OPPOSES

Senate Bill 1550 (Senator DeWitte, R-West Dundee)
Senate Bill 1550 (available via this link) would amend the Illinois Income Tax Act to provide that an amount equal to 10% of the net revenue realized from the State income tax during the preceding month shall be transferred from the General Revenue Fund to the Local Government Distributive Fund. ISACo SUPPORTS
ISACo Hosts Open House

On Wednesday, March 13, ISACo hosted a successful Open House for county officials and state legislators.

The event was well-attended and provided an excellent opportunity for attendees to visit ISACo's office to socialize and network. ISACo is appreciative of those who were able to attend and we look forward to providing additional networking opportunities in the future.

Pictures from the event are available on our Facebook Page via this link.
Legislation Approved by One or Both Chambers

The following ISACo-tracked bills were approved in the House and/or Senate during the week of March 11-15.

Bills Approved by Both Chambers

Tobacco 21 (Representative Lilly, D-Oak Park/Senator Morrison, D-Deerfield)
House Bill 345 (available via this link) would amend the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Minors and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act. The bill changes the name of the Act to the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Persons under 21 Years of Age and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act. Raises the age for whom tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and alternative nicotine products may be sold to and possessed by from at least 18 years of age to at least 21 years of age. Effective July 1, 2019.  The bill was approved by both the House and Senate and will next be considered by Governor Pritzker.

Workers' Compensation Act (Senator Sims, D-Chicago/Representative Hoffman, D-Belleville)
Senate Bill 1596 (available via this link) would amend the Worker's Compensation Act and the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act to provide that specified Sections limiting recovery do not apply to injuries or death resulting from an occupational disease as to which the recovery of compensation benefits under the Act would be precluded due to the operation of any period of repose or repose provision. Provides that, as to any such injury occupational disease, the employee, the employee's heirs, and any person having the standing under law to bring a civil action at law has the nonwaivable right to bring such an action against any employer or employers. The bill was approved by both the House and Senate and will next be considered by Governor Pritzker. ISACo OPPOSES

Bills Approved by the House

Equal Pay Act - Wage History (Representative Moeller, D-Elgin/Senator Jones III, D-Chicago)
House Bill 834 (available via this link) would amend the Equal Pay Act of 2003 to prohibit an employer from: (i) screening job applicants based on their wage or salary history; (ii) requiring that an applicant's prior wages satisfy minimum or maximum criteria; and (iii) requesting or requiring as a condition of being interviewed or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment that an applicant disclose prior wages or salary. Prohibits an employer from seeking the salary, including benefits or other compensation or salary history, of a job applicant from any current or former employer, with some exceptions. Limits defenses. Provides for penalties and injunctive relief. The bill was approved by the House and will next be considered in the Senate.
Noteworthy Committee Action

The following bills of interest were approved by House and Senate committees during the week of March 11-15.

Juvenile Court - Special Immigrant Minor (Representative Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenbview)
House Bill 1553 (available via this link) would amend the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 to provide that the court has jurisdiction to make the findings necessary to enable a minor who has been adjudicated a ward of the court to petition the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for classification as a special immigrant juvenile under federal law. The bill was amended and approved by the House Adoption and Child Welfare Committee on Tuesday, March 12 and is presently on the House Floor.

Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax Diversion (Senator Tracy, R-Quincy)
Senate Bill 1552 (available via this link) would amend the State Revenue Sharing Act to provide that each school district having Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax (CPPRT) receipts totaling 13% or more of its total revenues in the previous fiscal year shall receive an additional amount equal to 11% of the total amount distributed to the school district from the Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund. Provides that the total amount of additional distributions shall not exceed $4,353,136. The legislation would increase CPPRT revenue distributions to certain schools and result in a reduction of CPPRT revenue to counties and other recipients. The bill was approved by the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday, March 12 and is presently on the Senate Floor. ISACo OPPOSES

Property Tax Abatements, Delinquent Property and Sales in Error (Senator Stadelman, D-Rockford)
Senate Bill 2097 (available via this link) would amend the Property Tax Code to provide that a taxing district may abate taxes on residential property that qualifies for an abatement under any program adopted by the governing authority of the taxing district for the purpose of revitalizing or stabilizing neighborhoods. Provides that, if a county purchases delinquent property, the county may take steps to maintain the property, including, but not limited to, the mowing of grass or removal of nuisance greenery, the removal of garbage, waste, debris, or other materials, or the demolition, repair, or remediation of unsafe structures. In a Section concerning sales in error granted because a county, city, village or incorporated town has an interest in the property because of advancements made from public funds, provides that no petition for a sale in error may be brought unless the party seeking the sale in error has submitted a request in writing to the county, city, village, or town to waive the amounts owed, and that request has been (i) denied or (ii) not acted upon for a period of at least 90 days from the date on which the request was made. Provides that the redemption period for property that has been declared abandoned or blighted is 6 months (currently, 2 years) from: (1) the date of sale, if the holder of the certificate of purchase is a unit of local government; or (2) the date the property was declared abandoned or blighted, if the holder of the certificate of purchase is not a unit of local government. The bill was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, March 12 and is presently on the Senate Floor.

Addressing Imminent Hazards (Senator Bush, D-Grayslake)
Senate Bill 1114 (available via this link) would amend the Counties Code to provide that if a county finds that an imminent hazard to the public health or safety exists arising from an unfit condition which requires immediate action to protect the public health or safety, it may bring an action, without bond, for immediate injunctive relief, including causing the removal of unhealthy or unsafe accumulations or concentrations of the following: garbage; organic materials in an active state of decomposition, including, but not limited to, carcasses, food waste, or other spoiled or rotting materials; human or animal waste; debris; or other hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy substances or materials from a structure or property. This legislation is expected to be further amended. The bill was approved by the Senate Local Government Committee on Wednesday, March 13 and will next be considered on the Senate Floor.

Collecting IMRF Benefits During Elective Office (Senator Link, D-Gurnee)
Senate Bill 1236 (available via this link) would amend the Counties Code to provide that a member of a county board shall not receive a salary or other compensation from the county if the member is receiving pension benefits from the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund for the member's service as a county board member. Provides that if a member of the county board is receiving pension benefits from the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund on the effective date of the amendatory Act, the member's salary and compensation shall be reduced to zero at the beginning of the member's next term. The bill was amended and approved by the Senate Government Accountability and Pensions Committee on Wednesday, March 13 and is presently on the Senate Floor.

Use of Public Construction Bonds (Representative Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview)
House Bill 2722 (available via this link) would amend the Public Construction Bond Act to provide for bonds issued under the Act to be used for, among other conditions, the payment of apparatus, fixtures, and machinery used in the completion of a contract. Provides that the terms "material," "labor," "apparatus," "fixtures," and "machinery" include those rented items that are on the construction site and those rented tools that are used or consumed on the construction site in the performance of the contract on account of which the bond is given. The bill was approved by the House Labor and Commerce Committee on Wednesday, March 13 and is presently on the House Floor.

Open Meeting Act Notice Requirements (Representative Halbrook, R-Shelbyville)
House Bill 3147 (available via this link) amends the Open Meetings Act to provide that if a change is made concerning regular meeting dates, times, or locations (currently, only change in dates), at least 10 days' notice of such change shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the area in which such body functions. The bill was approved by the State Government Administration Committee on Wednesday, March 13 and is presently on the House Floor.

Hospitals - Surrogacy Contracts (Representative Stava-Murray, D-Downers Grove)
House Bill 3531 (available via this link) would amend the Hospital Licensing Act to provide that if a hospital has a gestational surrogacy contract on file for a gestational surrogate or has otherwise received the gestational surrogacy contract from a gestational surrogate, the hospital may not deny an intended parent entry into the delivery room where the gestational surrogate is being induced or in labor. Provides exceptions if: (1) medical personnel determine that the gestational surrogate's life or health could be jeopardized; (2) the gestational surrogacy contract prohibits an intended parent from being present; or (3) medical personnel determine there is other good cause to prohibit an intended parent from being present, including, but not limited to, if the intended parent is causing a disturbance or other security concerns. The bill was approved by the House Human Services Committee on Wednesday, March 13 and is presently on the House Floor.
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Looking Ahead...

The House and Senate are scheduled to be in session next week from March 19-22.

The deadline to move Senate bills out of Senate committees is March 22. The deadline to move House bills out of House committees is March 29.

The deadline to move House bills out of the House and Senate bills out of the Senate is April 12.

The deadline to move House bills out of Senate committees and Senate bills out of House committees is May 10.

The deadline to move House bills out of the Senate and Senate bills out of the House is May 24.

Both chambers are scheduled to adjourn on May 31.
The Key to ISACo's Success is YOU!
Is your county a member of ISACo? If not, why not?

ISACo is a statewide association whose mission is to empower county officials to provide excellent service to their residents.

ISACo member counties are comprised of forward-thinking public servants who recognize that the challenges confronting county governments require new and innovative ideas, collaborative solutions and collective advocacy at the state and federal levels of government.

Members of the association will benefit from education and training opportunities, peer-to-peer networking, shared resources and robust representation before policymakers at various levels of government. ISACo creates and connects county officials to these opportunities and successfully equips them to make counties ideal places to live, work and play.

If your county is interested in discussing membership in ISACo, please contact Executive Director Joe McCoy at (217) 679-3368 or jmccoy@isacoil.org. Thank you for your consideration.
News and Views is a service provided by ISACo for county officials and staff. Please feel welcome to share with interested parties. You can contact ISACo Executive Director Joe McCoy at jmccoy@isacoil.org or (217) 679-3368 if we can be of service. Thank you for your support of ISACo.