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Clark Kaericher | Vice President of Government Affairs | 618-806-1501

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March 31, 2023


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.

It’s Spring Break! Going anywhere interesting? 


Floor Votes  


These reflect the bills of interest passed between last Friday morning (when the last newsletter was sent) and Thursday night.  

 

SB 40, EV Charging passed the Senate 39-16-1. This bill Creates the Electric Vehicle Charging Act. Provides that the Act applies to newly constructed single-family homes and multi-unit residential buildings (rather than new single-family homes and newly constructed or renovated multi-unit residential buildings). Provides that the residential requirements for electric vehicle parking spaces apply to all building permits issued 90 days after the effective date of the Act. 


SB 160, Spoofing passed the Senate 57-0-0. This bill provides that a person, business, or organization may not spoof a caller's information or otherwise misrepresent the origin of a telemarketing call unless the person, business, or organization has the right to use the name and phone number displayed. Requires telephone solicitations placed in a manner other than by a live operator to immediately disclose their identity and the purpose of the call and prompt the recipient of the call to consent to the solicitation. 

 

SB 328, Automatic Contract Renewal passed the Senate 55-0-0.  This concerns requirements for businesses that use automatic contract renewal.  Companies must: l (i) disclose the automatic renewal offer terms clearly and conspicuously in the contract before the subscription or purchasing agreement is fulfilled and in visual proximity, or in the case of an offer conveyed by voice, in temporal proximity, to the request for consent to the offer; (ii) not charge the consumer's credit or debit card or other payment mechanism for an automatic renewal service without first obtaining the consumer's consent to the contract containing the automatic renewal offer terms; (iii) provide an acknowledgment that includes the automatic renewal offer terms, cancellation policy, and information regarding how to cancel, which may be accomplished by linking to a resource that provides instructions that account for different platforms and services, in a manner that is capable of being retained by the consumer; and (iv) if the offer includes a free gift or trial, disclose how to cancel the contract, which may be accomplished by linking to a resource that provides instructions that account for different platforms and services, and allow the consumer to cancel before the consumer pays for the good or services.  With the amendment, this was an agreed bill.  


SB 1782, Online Content passed the Senate 56-0-0. This bill, as amended, sets forth certain information a vlogger is required to annually report to the Department of Labor, including, but not limited to: (i) the name and documentary proof of the age of the minor engaged in the work of vlogging; (ii) the number of vlogs that generated compensation during the reporting period; and (iii) the total number of minutes each minor was featured in vlogs during the reporting period. Provides that the minor may commence a civil action if a vlogger fails to report the required information. Provides that if a vlogger knowingly or recklessly violates certain provisions that require a vlogger to set aside a minor's earnings from video content in an established trust account, the minor may commence an action to enforce those provisions and, if the minor prevails, the court may award the minor actual damages, punitive damages, and the costs of the action.  


HB 3563, DOIT-AI Task Force passed the House 109-0-0. This bill provides that the Department of Innovation and Technology shall establish the Generative AI and Natural Language Processing Task Force investigate and provide a report on generative artificial intelligence software and natural language processing software. Sets forth the members to serve on the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall hold at least 5 meetings, and specifies the format and the location of those minimum amount of meetings.


Chamber Day Information. Sponsors Wanted.


We still have a few sponsorship slots available. Chamber Day is a great way to get in front of lawmakers and meet local business leaders. The Chamber is grateful to all our sponsors- We can’t do what we do without your support. Sponsorship information can be found HERE  

 

Please remember to register for Chamber Day on April 18th. We have confirmed all four legislative leaders will be on hand to give their thoughts on this session and answer a few questions from those present. Registration information is here:

Register Today - Chamber Day 2023


When: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM CDT


Where: President Abraham Lincoln A Double Tree by Hilton

701 East Adams Street

Springfield, IL 62701


Register Here



BIPA Reform Proposals 

 

First a quick recap of where we stand. While none of the BIPA reform bills advanced through committee in either chamber, there seems to exist a genuine sentiment that something needs to be done after the White Castle decision. This sentiment is stronger in the Senate.  

 

I’ve been speaking with legislative leadership to discuss what a workable BIPA reform measure could look like that would receive the magic threshold of 30-60-signature.  This isn’t BIPA as the Chamber would write it with a magic wand but a starting point for the possible. Below is the list of things I’ve been suggesting in a workable bill. Please reach let me know if I’m missing something. 

Chamber BIPA Webinar 


Sean Darke from Dykema will moderate the virtual panel discussion on “The Good, Bad, and Ugly of BIPA!” The panel will focus on recent developments in BIPA lawsuits and best practices to avoid being caught in the wave of lawsuits, which have typically resulted in outsized class settlements. As litigation continues to explode in BIPA, Dykema has assembled a panel to discuss the recent changes to BIPA and recent case law that continues to shape BIPA for companies and legislatures across the country. Concerning is that over 1,000 BIPA lawsuits involve every day workplace issues like time tracking and employee verification. Although we see the ugly in BIPA through litigation, this panel will discuss the positives of biometrics that have been lost during this litigation explosion and how companies should not shy away from using this amazing technology. The panel will also discuss the future of biometrics and the much needed BIPA reform. Join Sean Darke and panel members Abad Lopez from Dykema, Doug O’Gordon from Find Biometrics, and Jake Parker from The Security Industry Association as they explore the “Good, Bad, and Ugly of BIPA!” 

 

Panel Discussion Will Include:  


  • 2022 case law that reshaped BIPA 
  • How companies can comply with BIPA to avoid exposure 
  • How to reform BIPA to work for employees, consumers, and companies 
  • BIPA and beyond, what does the future of BIPA look like….or should look like  
  • And More! 

 

Tech Council Members are Free with the code: TECHMEMBER.


Registration: https://ilchamber.org/Event/49277/The-Good-Bad-and-Ugly-of-BIPA/event-details/ 

Rulemaking 


No new proposed rulemaking worth mention.  

 

Articles of Interest  


While On-Road Driverless Slows, Ag-Tech Autonomy Players Are Plowing Ahead 


New EV Rules Mean Fewer Models Eligible for Tax Credit 


CALA-Illinois: Uber likely to become more expensive in Illinois because of legislation 


Bipartisan attorneys general coalition urges U.S. Congress support right-to-repair law 


Elon Musk, Other AI Experts Call for Pause in Technology’s Development 


Register Today - Chamber Day 2023


When: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM CDT


Where: President Abraham Lincoln A Double Tree by Hilton

701 East Adams Street

Springfield, IL 62701


Register Here

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