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Rulemaking
There was no rulemaking of note for this Council in the January 13th edition of the Illinois Register.
Legislative Update - Floor Action of Note (1o2nd GA)
HB 1563, Boards/Location of State Employment passed the Senate by a vote of 37-17-0. Among other things, this bill amends the Blue-Ribbon Commission on Transportation Infrastructure and Policy Act. Provides that: (i) members shall be appointed to the Commission by January 31, 2023 (rather than May 31, 2022); (ii) the Commission shall hold its first meeting by February 15, 2023 (rather than within 2 months from the Act's effective date); (iii) the Commission shall report a summary of its activities and produce a final report to the General Assembly by September 15, 2023 (rather than January 31, 2023); and (iv) the Commission is dissolved, and the Act is repealed, on September 30, 2023 (rather than February 1, 2023).
HB 1688 School Bus passed the House on concurrence by a vote of 106-0-0 and has now passed both chambers. This bill amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes language classifying motor vehicles of the first division used and registered as school buses as vehicles of the second division. In provisions concerning school bus driver permits, provides that the Secretary of State shall offer for issuance a separate permit valid only for the operation of first division vehicles being operated as school buses. Provides that the written test an applicant for a school bus driver permit must pass shall be a first division or second division written test. Requires the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Illinois State Board of Education, to develop a separate classroom course and refresher course for operation of vehicles of the first division being operated as school buses. Provides that regional superintendents of schools, working with the Illinois State Board of Education, shall offer the course. Provides a deadline of January 1, 2024 for the requirement that the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Illinois State Board of Education, develop a separate classroom course and refresher course for operation of vehicles of the first division being operated as school buses.
HB 2870, Regional Water Commissions passed the House on concurrence by a vote of 104-2-0. This bill amends the Regional Water Commissions Division of the Illinois Municipal Code. Allows a regional water commission to provide for credits against amounts due to the commission from a municipality as a means to repay a municipality for specified costs incurred by the municipality relating to the regional water commission. Allows amendment or extension of specified contracts beyond 101 years by agreement of the parties. Provides that an owner of a bond issued under the Division, a trustee under a master trust indenture or supplemental trust indenture, or, in certain circumstances, both may enforce and compel performance relating to the bonds (now, only a holder of a bond issued under the Division has that right). Allows a commission to use alternate project delivery methods, establish goals or requirements for the procurement of goods and services and for construction contracts, and accept assignment of municipal waterworks system contracts or other public improvement contracts. Gives commissions the authority to enter into design-build contracts and use a design-build delivery system. Includes definitions and requirements for the design-build delivery system. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
SB 208, Paid Leave passed the House by a vote of 78-30-0 and passed the Senate on concurrence by a vote of 38-16-0. This bill creates the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Requires employers to provide paid leave to employees for any purpose. Sets forth provisions regarding employer responsibilities, unlawful employer practices, and other matters. Provides that an employee who works in this State is entitled to earn and use a minimum of 40 hours of paid leave during a 12-month period. Makes it unlawful for an employer to interfere with, restrain, deny, change scheduled work days or hours to avoid paid leave, or discipline an employee for the exercise of any right under the Act. Authorizes the Department of Labor to administer and enforce the Act. Provides for the imposition of civil penalties. Authorizes individuals to file civil actions with respect to violations.
SB 1720 BIMP passed the Senate on concurrence by a vote of 30-21-0. Among other things, this bill establishes the Second FY 2023 Budget Implementation Act. Creates the Warehouse Safety Standards Task Force Act to study warehouse safety standards. Provides that, if and only if House Bill 4285 of the 102nd General Assembly becomes law, then the small purchase limit in the Code is reduced from $250,000 to $100,000. Concerning the small purchase limit, The House sponsor of HB 4285, Representative Stuart, said last week in Committee that the threshold change from $100,000 to $250,000 was the only opposition cited to the bill and eliminating that change removed the opposition that had been in place to the bill. The Warehouse Task Force explicitly named the Illinois Chamber as a member.
SB 2801, UI Trust Fund Debt Appropriations passed the House by a vote of 103-0-0 and has now passed both chambers. This bill states that the sum of $1,370,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Employment Security for payment to the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund for repayment of all outstanding advances pursuant to Title XII of the federal Social Security Act, including prior year costs. The sum of $450,000,000 is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Employment Security as a loan for payment to the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund solely for purposes of paying unemployment insurance benefits, without the accrual of interest, to be repaid pursuant to the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Act.
Over 1100 House bills have already been filed in the 103rd General Assembly. However, most of these are shell bills. Bills of interest will be highlighted in next week's newsletter.
New Illinois State Water Plan Released
The Illinois State Water Plan, which serves as a blueprint for addressing key water-related challenges in the state over the next decade, has been updated for the first time since 1984 and is available to help guide state and local leaders in setting priorities for water resources.
Different from previous Illinois state water plans, the updated plan intentionally strives to integrate social and environmental justice perspectives into recommendations. It also addresses climate change impacts for the first time.
The report was prepared by members of the State Water Plan Task Force and the state agencies they represent, as well as a range of diverse individuals representing a broad spectrum of water interests in Illinois.
The updated State Water Plan provides a seven-year-focus strategic plan containing 147 actionable and measurable recommendations for future inclusive and equitable state water resources development in Illinois. Directors and leaders from nine state agencies and programs have signed a letter of support for recommendations outlined in the report. Those organizations include IDNR, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Water Survey, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Water Resources Center, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and the Illinois Pollution Control Board.
Read the State Water Plan here.
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