How Biden's Tax Hikes Will Hurt Illinois Businesses
On Tuesday, an op-ed by Illinois Chamber President & CEO Todd Maisch was published in the Chicago Sun-Times. Maisch's op-ed is a response to President Biden's recent budget proposal which includes $3.6 trillion in tax hikes.
Maisch writes the following. "This tax hike would hit 91,937 Illinois employers, including more than 63,000 small businesses with fewer returning employees. Many employers that survived the COVID recession are just now returning to business as normal. Sudden and substantial tax hikes are one sure way to stop their recovery dead in its tracks.
Experience shows that the damage from higher corporate tax rates will be borne overwhelmingly by workers, who will see lower wages and fewer jobs. And all Illinois residents, as consumers, can expect to see higher prices and even higher utility bills as companies are forced to pass along the cost of these increased taxes."
Maisch concludes the article by saying that the President's proposals are neither "pro-growth or pro-job" and that hardworking Illinoisans and small businesses deserve better.
The full article can be read here.
Illinois Supreme Court Accepts Illinois Chamber Amicus Brief
The Illinois Supreme Court has accepted an amicus, or friend of the court, brief from the IL Chamber supporting the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association and several others in their suit against Cook County.
The Chamber’s brief argues that the existing system of roads in Cook County are overcrowded, underfunded and in a state of disrepair. We argue that this disrepair has been the result of Cook County’s mismanagement and their system for funding infrastructure improvements is untenable. Finally, we point out that the County’s interpretation of the Chamber’s Safe Roads Amendment encourages the same capricious use of vital resources that predated the amendment’s enactment.
Read the full brief here.
Senate Transportation Committee Holds Hearing on Design-Build
On Thursday, the Senate Transportation Committee held a subject matter hearing on SB 2905, Design-Build legislation sponsored by Chairman Senator Villivalam. Stakeholders spoke on the merits of the design-build concept and its implementation in other states. Illinois and North Dakota are the only two states without the design-build option.
Design-build is a project delivery method in which both design and construction is completed by a single entity. Design-build overlaps the design and construction phases of a project which reduces the time needed to complete a project.
IDOT testified during the hearing and agreed with the above sentiment saying that design-build will speed-up state projects and ensure cost savings.
As a result of this legislation, the state will have a better estimate of total construction cost when the designer and contractor are under the same contract. There is also a 6-10 percent cost savings which will yield new construction jobs in the state.
The Chamber supports design-build legislation and look forward to partnering with the sponsor on this important initiative.
HB 3190 Veto Request
On Thursday, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group (IERG) sent an amendatory veto request of HB 3190 to Governor Pritzker.
In part, the letter says the following. "The legislation, while intended to prohibit incineration of certain chemicals, namely per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, was drafted so broadly as to apply to activities beyond what is commonly thought of as "incineration" and, if signed into law, would actually prohibit the use of pollution controls to minimize the emissions of pollutants into the air."
The Chamber and IERG requested that HB 3190 be amendatorily vetoed by striking the phrase "thermal oxidation, including flameless or regenerative" from the definition of "incineration" and any other changes the Governor deems fit.
Read the full veto request letter here.
Session Update
The House remains adjourned until the call of the Speaker. The Senate also remains adjourned until the call of the Senate President.
Both Chambers will be in session October 19th-21st and October 26th-28th. There are no additional session dates scheduled.
Due to rising COVID-19 cases, the office of the Secretary of State announced that beginning Monday, August 2nd masks will once again be mandated in all secretary of state facilities as well as the Illinois State Capitol Building for both visitors and employees.
Bills of Interest Signed into Law
HB 279, Labeling was signed into law. This bill provides that an oral drug is misbranded if gluten is included as an inactive ingredient and is not so listed on its label. Provides that the provisions do not apply to pharmacies or pharmacists.
HB 396 Weight Limits was signed into law. This bill creates a new class of weight limits for vehicles with a distance between 8 and 9 feet between the extremes of any group of 2 or more consecutive axles, with a maximum weight of 38,000 pounds on 2 axles and 42,000 pounds on 3 axles. Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance between the first and last axles of these tandems is 36 feet or more. The additional fee for certain gross overweight loads is for each additional 45 (instead of 60) miles traveled. An applicant shall pay $120 (instead of $40) per hour for an engineering inspection or field investigation.
HB 2908, Elected Chicago School Board was signed into law. This bill amends the School Code. Provides for the abolition of the terms of all members of the Chicago Board of Education appointed under specified provisions. Provides for a combination of appointed and elected members and the eventual election of all members. Provides for qualifications of members. Changes eligibility requirements for membership. Specifies the form of nominating petitions for candidates for membership. Changes provisions regarding the appointment of the Inspector General. Adds provisions regarding the creation of districts for election of members and redistricting. Provides that the Chicago Board of Education shall commission an independent review and report of the district's finances. Creates the Chicago Board of Education Diversity Advisory Board and the Chicago Board of Education Non-Citizen Advisory Board. Prohibits the Board from approving any school closings, consolidations, or phase-outs prior to January 15, 2024. Provides that the Chicago Board of Education may adopt rules necessary to implement the provisions of the Act. Provides that the terms of specified appointed members end on January 14, 2027.
HB 3709, Insurance Infertility Coverage was signed into law. This bill provides that a policy, contract, or certificate may not impose any exclusions, limitations, or other restrictions on coverage of fertility medications that are different from those imposed on any other prescription medications, nor may it impose any exclusions, limitations, or other restrictions on coverage of any fertility services based on a covered individual's participation in fertility services provided by or to a third party, nor may it impose deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, benefit maximums, waiting periods, or any other limitations on coverage for the diagnosis of infertility, treatment for infertility, and standard fertility preservation services, except as provided in the Section, that are different from those imposed upon benefits for services not related to infertility. Changes the definition of "infertility."
SB 117, Treasurer Infrastructure was signed into law. This bill creates the Infrastructure Development Act. Provides that the State Treasurer shall segregate a portion of the Treasurer's State investment portfolio in the Infrastructure Development Account, an account that shall be maintained separately and apart from other moneys invested by the State Treasurer. Allows the State Treasurer to make investments concerning the Infrastructure Development Account. Provides for Infrastructure Development Account-Recipient Funds created by Illinois infrastructure development firms in which the State Treasurer places money. Provides that the Infrastructure Development Fund is created as a non-appropriated trust fund.
SB 265, Energy Assistance was signed into law. This bill Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may not set the annual eligibility level for energy assistance higher than 60% of the State median income as established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Requires the Department to ensure that households with children under the age of 6 years old are offered a priority application period. Contains provisions concerning certain unspent funds being utilized for weatherization expenses; allowances to Local Administrative Agencies for administrative expenses; incremental changes to the monthly energy assistance charges billed to utility customers; Department reports on monies collected and allocated to utilities for implementation of their Percentage of Income Payment Plans; and other matters. Provides that all energy assistance programs under the Act shall be available to eligible residents regardless of immigration status.
SB 515, Large Public Utility was signed into law. This bill amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions concerning valuation of water and sewer utilities, provides that to be included within the definition of "large public utility" an investor-owned public utility must regularly provide water or sewer service to more than 15,000 customer connections (rather than 30,000 customer connections).
SB 567, Optometric Telehealth was signed into law. This bill provides that an optometrist licensed under the Act may practice optometry through telehealth as authorized by the Act and the Telehealth Act. Provides that an optometrist treating a patient located in Illinois through telehealth must be licensed under the Act. Provides that an optometrist practicing optometry through telehealth is subject to the same standard of care and practice standards that are applicable to optometric services provided in a clinic or office setting. Provides that an optometrist may not provide telehealth services unless the optometrist has established a provider-patient relationship with the patient.
SB 640, Procurement was signed into law. This bill provides that no procurement contract for the construction, alteration, operation, repair, maintenance, or improvement of any mass transit facility, or equipment thereof, in excess of $1,000,000 shall be awarded to or executed with any vendor that receives support from a nonmarket economy country, as defined under specified federal law. Provides that nothing in the provisions is intended to contravene any existing treaties, laws, trade agreements, or regulations of the United States or subsequent trade agreements entered into between any foreign countries and the State or the United States.
SB 687, Procurement/Veterans was signed into law. This bill requires the Department of Central Management Services to submit an annual report concerning certifications issued to veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Requires the Department to conduct a minimum of 2 outreach events per year to ensure that veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses know about the procurement opportunities and certification requirements with the State. Adds additional requirements concerning the certification program for veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Provides that the Department of Central Management Services, in consultation with the Department of Veteran Affairs, may develop programs and agreements to encourage cities, counties, towns, townships, and other certifying entities to adopt uniform certification procedures and certification recognition programs. Provides that a business shall be certified by the Department of Central Management Services as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business or a veteran-owned small business if the Department determines that the business has been certified as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business or a veteran-owned small business by the Vets First Verification Program of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and the business has provided to the Department with specified information.
Save the Date: Illinois Chamber to Host Annual Meeting
On Thursday, September 30th the Illinois Chamber will host its Annual Meeting at the Palmer House in Chicago. The event will take place between 11am-1:30 pm and feature keynote speaker Holly Sullivan, Vice President of Worldwide Economic Development for Amazon. The theme for this year's event is Global Growth Opportunities. Register today!
