Clark Kaericher | Vice President, Government Affairs | 217-522-5512 ext. 296
Email Clark
October 22, 2021
The Technology Council seeks to aggressively and proactively promote the interests of the Illinois technology community by advocating for public policy that fosters innovation and promotes economic growth. The Council will seek to promote workforce development policies, advocate for world-class technology infrastructure, avoid overregulation on the industry and support innovators access to the capital they need to grow.
Session Updates 

The first week of Veto Session passed with a whimper and very little accomplished. The General Assembly will return next week Tuesday-Thursday to pass Congressional district maps and likely legislation dealing with abortion. We are also on the lookout for language providing incentive to manufacturers of electric vehicles and batteries. So far, nothing has been moved to weaken the data center incentive.  

No tech legislation of interest is posted for committee work next week.  
 
Illinois Chamber Files Amicus Brief  

The Illinois Chamber joined with the US Chamber in filing a motion for leave to submit an amicus brief in the case Doe v. Lyft.  In the brief we argue that the Transportation Network Providers Act is not special legislation, that the current judicial test for special legislation is appropriate and that It serves a legitimate state and public interest in promoting technological innovation and economic development.  

The Chamber would like to thank our friends at Mayer Brown and the US Chamber for their hard work and partnership on this critical issue.  

You can read the full thing here:  
 
Federal Legislation of Interest  

Our friends at the Chamber of Progress have asked us to spread the message about two bills currently being considered in Congress. Their message:
 
You as much as anyone know that as the tech industry matures, it’s on its way to being regulated like transportation and other more established industries. Two of the bills currently being considered by Congress as part of a tech regulation package, The American Innovation and Choice Online Act,” (HR 3816) authored by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI 1), and the Ending Platform Monopolies Act,” (HR 3825) authored by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D- WA 7), would prevent platforms from offering popular services that people today receive for free or low cost while also restricting their ability to provide information and opportunity tools within their services. 
When it comes to tech regulation, voters want carefully targeted rules — a scalpel approach that leaves popular products intact. The Cicilline and Jayapal bills would ban and degrade tech services that consumers love.The bills would ban: 

  • Amazon Prime and Amazon Basics 
  • preinstallation of products like iMessage, “Find My Phone”, iCloud and FaceTime on iPhones 
  • Google from including Google Maps or YouTube Videos in its search results 
  • Alexa users from ordering goods from Amazon 
  • Instagram stories from Facebook’s news feed 
 
The bills also would force free apps like Google Maps, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, LinkedIn, iMessage, and FaceTime to be divested from their parent companies, putting at risk these free services and making them less accessible to the public. 

They would like you to reach out to the following individuals with your concerns. They’ve drafted sample language Here

They’ve also asked you to let me or James Prescott (jpresscott@presscottgroupllc.com) know if you do send a message.  

Rick Bryant, Senior Adviser, Rep. Kelly: rick.bryant@mail.house.gov 

Clarisol Duque, State Director, Senator Durbin: clarisol_duque@durbin.senate.gov 
 
Illinois Chamber Annual Holiday Survey

The Illinois Chamber’s annual holiday survey is now open until November 10, 2021. Please take a few moments to complete the survey to compare the paid holidays for companies in Illinois for 2022.

Take the survey here.
Connect with the Chamber
Not a member and want to learn more about the Illinois Chamber?
Click here to contact Lanae Clarke