GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
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December 3rd, 2021

This Week in Illinois
Infrastructure Roll Out

On Wednesday, The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced $94 million in Capital Funding has been awarded to Revitalize public airports throughout the state. This will be paired with $11.5 million in local contributions for a total investment exceeding $100 million. This is the largest statewide capital funding for airports in Illinois’ history.  

A total of 96 projects were selected for funding. A sampling of the projects include $3.3 million for entrance road realignment, $2.3 million for aircraft parking expansion at Quad Cities International Airport. St. Louis Downtown Airport was awarded $5 million for ramp and taxiway access from airfield as well as noise and jet blast mitigation. Effingham County Memorial Airport was awarded $3.5 million for runway extension and $1.5 million for taxiway extension.  

A full list of recipients can be viewed by going to https://idot.click/rbi-airport-program-awards. 

Leader Harris to Retire at end of 102nd General Assembly

Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago) announced his intention to not seek reelection and instead step down at the end of his term in January 2023. Leader Harris has served in the House since 2006 and was known for his abilities as a budgeteer. Leader Harris recently served as our keynote speaker at the 2021 Illinois Chamber Day.

Best of luck in your retirement, Leader Harris.

Representative Murphy Retires, Joins Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Representative Mike Murphy (R-Springfield) recently announced his intention to retire from the General Assembly to assume the position of CEO of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Murphy's retirement was effective at the end of November.

Representative Murphy was the Illinois Chamber's most recent Outstanding Freshman Legislator awarded at the end of the 101st General Assembly.

We thank Representative Murphy for his support of the Illinois business community and years of service. We look forward to working alongside him as he leads the Springfield Chamber.
Bills of Interest Signed into Law

HB 594 Utility Sunset Extension of prohibition on taxing electric generating facilities by home rule communities was signed into law. This bill provides that a home rule preemption concerning taxes or fees related to electricity is repealed on January 1, 2023 (currently, January 1, 2022). This bill also expands the membership of the Future of Work Taskforce and pushes back the reporting date from April to December of 2022.

HB 1291 Congressional Maps was signed into law. This bill creates the Illinois Congressional Redistricting Act of 2021. Redistricts the Congressional Districts for the purpose of electing Representatives to the House of Representatives of the United States Congress. Repeals the Illinois Congressional Reapportionment Act of 2001.

HB 1976, Travel Insurance Changes was signed into law. This bill amends Public Act 102-578. Changes the effective date of the Act from December 31, 2022 to July 1, 2022. Amends the Travel Insurance Article of the Illinois Insurance Code to provide that travel insurance that provides coverage for sickness, accident, disability, or death occurring during travel or incidental limited property and casualty benefits such as baggage or trip cancellation may be filed for purposes of rates and forms under either an accident and health line of insurance or an inland marine line of insurance (instead of just under an inland marine line of insurance).

HB 3666 Energy Package Trailer Bill was signed into law. This bill provides that the Illinois Power Agency must require that any grant or rebate applicant comply with the requirements of the Prevailing Wage Act (rather than may not award rebates or grants to an organization or company that does not pay the prevailing wage) for any installation of a charging station for which it seeks a rebate or grant. Amends the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. Provides that records made by each contractor and subcontractor who is engaged in and executing a High Impact Business Construction jobs project must include information concerning worker's race and ethnicity and gender. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Removes a provision that exempts specified wind energy and solar energy suppliers from submitting an annual report on all procurement goals and actual spending for female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and small business enterprises in the previous calendar year. Amends the Energy Assistance Act. Resolves a conflict in Public Acts 102-16 and 102-176 regarding the starting date for the assessment of a monthly Energy Assistance Charge.
OSHA COVID-19 Employer Mandate Update

Late last month, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) suspended enforcement of its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on private sector employers. This comes after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered OSHA to not enforce the ETS pending judicial review.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was selected to hear a consolidated case challenging the ETS. For those watching the Courts, the Biden Administration asked the 6th Circuit Court to lift the stay on the ETS. Reports note that the Court will not rule on the on the request until after December 10th.

Our thanks go out to the US Chamber of Commerce who has a team of experts working this extremely important issue. Frequently asked questions on the COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing ETS are provided by the US Department of Labor here.

If there are any further developments we will keep you promptly informed.
Session Update

The Illinois General Assembly will return to Springfield on January 4, 2022. No other session dates are scheduled for this year.

The 2022 session calendar beginning in January was released late last month. View the 2022 House calendar here. View the 2022 Senate calendar here.
Connect with the Chamber
If you have questions about the Government Affairs Report, contact Clark Kaericher at ckaericher@ilchamber.org. Do not reply to this email.