Happy March Madness Friday. Hopefully, your brackets aren’t already blown (looking at you, Iowa). My bracket is shot, but Kentucky losing makes it all worthwhile.
Friday, March 25th is the deadline to get bills originating in the opposite chamber out of committee in both the House and the Senate. Accordingly, expect a heavy week of committees next week. Also note that the Senate will be holding in-person committee hearings this week for the first time since March of 2020. Remember that tests are required if you want to attend a committee hearing or watch from the gallery.
Committee Updates
SB 3939, Cybersecurity Liaison passed out of the House Cybersecurity, Data Analytics & IT Committee by a vote of 14-0-0. This bill requires a local government official or employee to be chosen to act as the primary point of contact for local cybersecurity issues. Amends the Illinois Information Security Improvement Act. Requires the Secretary of Innovation and Technology to establish a cybersecurity liaison program to advise and assist units of local government concerning specified cybersecurity issues. Provides for cybersecurity training for employees of counties, municipalities. Provides that State agencies are prohibited from purchasing any products that, due to cybersecurity risks, are prohibited for purchase by federal agencies pursuant to a United States Department of Homeland Security Binding Operational Directive
Committee has not yet been scheduled for next week (deadline is tonight under the 6 day posting rules). There is a subject matter hearing scheduled for March 31st at 10 am regarding women and minorities in IT.
Future of Work Taskforce Meeting 7
The meeting started with going over a very early draft of the report. I’ll have more to share on that front next week.
Todd Tucker of the Roosevelt Institute spoke about “buy American” procurement efforts. Kassie Beyer of Jobs to Move America talked about changing procurement policies, especially in the electric vehicle industry. I liked some of her ideas regarding bulk government procurement practices instead of multiple procurement requests, so that small villages can buy a vehicle for cheaper than they could on their own.
The final speaker was the most interesting. Aidan Ali-Sullivan from Waymo, the Google offshoot. He talked about Waymo’s goal of fully autonomous vehicles both in passenger vehicles and in trucking.
For passenger vehicles, I had no idea Waymo has been offering fully autonomous ride sharing in Phoenix for over a year. You can get a ride, sans driver, in the city of Phoenix through their app, Waymo One. Not only would it be cool to experience, its 30-40% cheaper because you don’t have to pay a driver. That’s incredible!
He also talked about autonomous long-haul trucking. Waymo wants to remove the “monotonous” portion of trucking- the overland, long haul like driving 70 across Kansas. The last mile of delivery would still be done by a human. I wish we had more time to focus on this technology, the future is coming sooner than we think.
New BIPA Amicus
The Illinois Supreme Court has formally accepted an amicus filed by the US Chamber and the Illinois Chamber in the Cothron case. In the brief we argue that a “per-scan” accrual of damages is inconsistent with BIPA’s text and longstanding statutory interpretation principles. I’d encourage you to read the full brief HERE.
A special thanks to our friends in the US Chamber and to Mayer Brown for their excellent work on the brief.
This Week’s Votes of Note
HB 1811, Predictive Analytics passed out of the House by a vote of 104-0-0. This bill provides that when using predictive data analytics in determining creditworthiness or in making hiring decisions, the use of predictive data analytics may not include information that correlates with the race or zip code of the applicant for credit or employment. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to prevent the use of predictive data analytics to support the inclusion of diverse candidates in making employment decisions. Provides that a person or entity that relies either partially or fully on predictive data analytics to determine a consumer's creditworthiness may not allow the use of information about the consumer that assigns specific risk factors to the consumer's race or zip code resulting in rejection of credit or other adverse credit-related action to a consumer.
SB 3719, GIS passed out of the Higher Education Committee by a vote of 10-0-0. This bill creates the Illinois Center for Geographic Information Act. Creates the Illinois Center for Geographic Information within the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois. Provides that the Center shall evaluate proposals, in consultation with an Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, and make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on the efficient development, use, and funding of geographic information management technology for State, regional, local, and academic agencies and institutions.
EV Steering Committee
Next Wednesday I’m looking forward to participating in the first EV Steering Committee meeting of the IDOT-funded research project: EV Infrastructure Plan for Illinois. The work will be facilitated by Chamber member, the University of Illinois.
