LEGISLATURE PUNTS CAR-SHARING BILL TO 2019

It looks as if one of the most high profile pieces of legislation during this veto session is going to have to wait until 2019.  After the Senate successfully overrode  Gov. Rauner's amendatory veto  to HB 2641 (Munoz/Turner) by  39-12-3, the House sponsor decided last week not to call the bill for an override.

In short, this bill seeks to classify car-sharing companies as traditional car rental services, subjecting them to the same taxes and regulations as traditional car rental companies.  Gov. Rauenr amendatorily vetoed the bill this summer signaling that this would hurt the peer-to-peer car sharing service.  

It is likely that stakeholders will meet to hash out a potential compromise for 2019.  

TECH COUNCIL TESTIFIES IN INT. TRADE COMMITTEE

Last week, on behalf of the Chamber's International Business Council, I was invited to testify in the House International Trade Committee on the importance of trade to the Illinois economy.  While a bulk of my testimony focused on manufacturing and agricultural trade, I was able to highlight the importance of trade to the service sector, particularly IT services.  

Exports of services are currently booming, with US exports reaching $750B in 2016, according to the US Dep. Of commerce. Illinois is the 5th largest exporter of services in the nation, and the 2nd largest of financial management and advisory services, insurance and security transactions. Trade in services is one of the fastest growing export categories, especially transportation from and to IL ports as well as IT, marketing and legal needed to support cross-border transactions.

The Chamber has a seat on the Trade Policy Task Force.  The group's report is expected to be released in December.