It is almost Mother’s Day. Hope everyone celebrating has a great day and that “my children” did a decent job of picking out gifts for my wife.
Another week closer to June and we are still at a jogging pace as the map discussion is taking most of the oxygen out of the room. Consider this the calm before the storm.
Committee Updates
· Location: Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov; Springfield, IL
· Tracked Bills to be Heard:
SB 1611, Electronic Signature passed the House State Government Administration Committee by a vote of 8-0-0. This bill allows the Secretary of State to adopt rules to authorize the filing of documents with his or her office that have been signed by electronic means. Provides certification requirements for entities seeking to provide services to third parties for the execution of electronic signatures for filing with the Secretary of State. Specifies minimum requirements for the use of electronic signatures on documents. Provides for the refusal of non-compliant electronic signatures. Provides that electronic signatures and electronic delivery of records shall have the same force and effect as manual signatures and the physical delivery of records. Provides that electronic records and electronic signatures accepted by the Secretary of State shall be admissible in all administrative, quasi-judicial, and judicial proceedings.
Amendments of Note
SB 2183 (HCA 0001) Amends the Transportation Network Providers Act. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2024 (instead of June 1, 2021).
SB 2183 (HCA 0002) Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reenacts the Transportation Network Providers Act. Provides for the continuation and validation of the Act, and extends the repeal to January 1, 2023. Effective immediately.
A clean extension of the Transportation Network Providers Act is a major priority for the Illinois Chamber this session.
Capital Plan Updates
The Illinois General Assembly's bipartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability ("COGFA") issued its Monthly Briefing for the Month Ended: April 2021.
COGFA also issued its FY 2022 Capital Plan Analysis. The report is comprehensive and well done. If you have any interest in the subject, you ought to check it out.
The House Revenue Committee is holding a subject matter hearing on capital revenues next Thursday at 8 a.m. in virtual room 1.
Illinois Rail Needs Assessment
The Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Office of Planning and Programming is developing a Rail Needs Assessment and needs your assistance to identify needed capital rail improvements or rail related operational issues that are important to the movement of goods and services in the state of Illinois.
IDOT has requested that Quandel Consultants, Inc., assisted by WSP and Images, Inc., engage railroad owners and operators serving Illinois, as well as shippers, logistical groups, federal, state, and local agencies, and the public in this effort. We are developing the Illinois Rail Needs Assessment in preparation for updating the Illinois State Rail Plan in 2022.
The Rail Needs Assessment is a critical part of the State Rail Plan involving freight, intercity passenger, and commuter rail providers because it identifies:
· The current inventory and condition of the Illinois rail network, including ownership and current operator(s), the nominal Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) track classification for each line, and issues that may limit the quality of rail services in the future;
· Opportunities for strengthening the rail network and promoting economic growth;
· Opportunities for improving safety where rail and highway interfaces occur; and
· Funding sources that may be available to enable IDOT to pursue these opportunities.
Please let me know if you have any information you’d like me to convey at the next meeting.
Amtrak Funding Letter
Chamber President/CEO signed onto a letter to Congress asking that Illinois receive its fair share of Amtrak funding in the upcoming federal infrastructure bill. You can read the full letter here.
Illinois Aviation System Plan Technical Advisory Committee
The next meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee for the Aviation System plan will be held on June 10th. Similar to the Rail Needs Assessment, don’t hesitate to send along any information you’d like me to convey during that meeting.
The project team has recently finalized a few draft documents and would appreciate your review and comments. The following chapters have recently been completed in draft form:
· IASP Chapter 3: Inventory and Existing System Adequacy – This chapter documents existing conditions identified during the data collection effort and evaluates the airports relative to the goals, performance measures, and performance indicators established at the beginning of the project.
· IASP Chapter 4: Aviation System Issues – This chapter documents and explains existing and future issues that are effecting and could effect the Illinois aviation system.
· EIA Chapter 4: Economic Impact of Illinois Air Cargo – This chapter quantifies the economic impacts of air cargo in Illinois. It is important to understand that these are statewide, off-airport impacts and will be added to the statewide economic impact total once finalized.
Articles of Interest
Until next time,
Clark
