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

It should be illegal to have the Masters on Easter Weekend. We’ve passed way dumber laws in Illinois. Somebody get to it. 

As for this weekend’s holiday, I’ve got Brooks or Cam Smith and rooting for the LIV players.  

Spring Tech Council Meeting Announced 

I’m very excited to announce our first Tech Council meeting of the year. It will be a joint meeting with the Infrastructure and Energy Councils. The topic is “The Future of Electric Vehicles in Illinois.” 

Featured Speakers: 

• Megha Lakhchaura, State Electric Vehicle Officer 

• Lisa Clemmons Stott, Electric Mobility and Innovation Director 

• Ameren  

• EVBox  

Date/Time: April 18th, 2023 2pm-3:30 pm 

Location: Abraham Lincoln Hotel 

Agenda: 

2:00pm – Introductions  

2:05pm – Presentation by State EV Officer  

2:30pm – Presentation by State Electric Mobility and Innovation Director 

2:55pm – Ameren  

3:10pm – EVBox 

3:25pm – Closing by Chamber Directors  

Additional Note:  

This Meeting is free of charge for Energy, Infrastructure and Technology Council members as well as for those who have purchased a ticket to Chamber Day.  In order to guarantee your spot, please register here:

• Council Meeting Registration Link  

Chamber Day Information. Registration Ending Soon!  

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:  

Sponsorships for this event have sold out. Thank you to all who sponsored!   

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

Congratulations to Newly Elected Alderman Lamont Robinson 

In case you were living under a rock this past week, there were some elections held in Chicago this week.  With good reason, most of the stories center around the election of a new mayor- Brandon Johnson. However, I wanted to note the election of Representative Lamont Robinson to the City Council.  

Representative Robinson was Chair of the House Cybersecurity Committee which serves that chamber’s tech committee.  He was a good friend to the tech community and in fostering innovation and economic growth for a thriving Chicago tech scene.  We’ll miss him in Springfield but have faith that he’ll be a fantastic alderman.   

ICYMA- 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 let me know if I’m missing something.  

April Declared Innovation and Technology Month in Illinois

Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed the month of April as Innovation and Technology Month in Illinois, highlighting the value of IT and the efforts made to build the state into an innovation and technology hub, delivering statewide IT and telecommunication services to state agencies, boards, and commissions.  

“Here in Illinois, we are solidifying our status as a premier innovation and technology hub—and today, I couldn’t be prouder to sign a proclamation declaring the month of April as Innovation and Technology Month,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “From record-breaking funding for K-12 and higher education to new, state-of-the-art opportunities in IT and STEM, we are building out a highly trained, 21st century workforce that will foster the development and prosperity of our state for years to come.”  

This year, the proclamation underscores Illinois’ commitment to developing a highly trained workforce capable of filling future IT jobs through the strengthening of K-12 curriculum and postsecondary education opportunities.

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 

TELECOMMUNICATIONS The ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION adopted amendments to Standards of Service for Local Exchange Telecommunications Carriers (83 IAC 730; 46 Ill Reg 4469) effective 3/15/23 that update the incorporation of the National Electrical Safety Code to the 2017 edition and remove an obsolete reference to physical staffing of 91-1 call boxes during telecommunications outages (which is no longer required). Local telecommunications providers are affected. Questions/requests for copies: Brian W. Allen, ICC, 527 E. Capitol Ave., Springfield IL 62701, 217/558-2387. 

Articles of Interest  

Ford EVs qualify for US tax credit – at least partially 

Google CEO Sundar Pichai Says Search to Include Chat AI 

Decentralized Cryptocurrency Markets Threaten U.S. National Security, Treasury Says 

Is Your Job Exposed to AI? 

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