It's Friday, it's a beautiful Fall day and in less than 3 weeks, I'll be able to order a pizza without them reminding me to vote. What's not to like?
Virtual Technology Conference was a Success
A big thanks is due to everyone who attended our first ever virtual conference. We had a wonderful panel that featured Assistant Republican Leader, and spokesperson of the Cybersecurity, Data Analytics & IT Committee, Keith Wheeler, leading BIPA attorney Melissa Siebert from Shook, Hardy & Bacon and US Chamber experts Lana Skelo and Jordan Crenshaw. The event was recorded and over the next couple weeks, I'll be sending out video snippets I found especially interesting.
Jordan provided the following links about data privacy laws that I wanted to share for anyone wanting a deeper dive:
https://americaninnovators.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CTEC_DemFedPrivacyProposals_v1.pdf
https://americaninnovators.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CTEC_RepFedPrivacyProposals_v1-1.pdf
https://americaninnovators.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CTEC_Privacy2020_HeatMap.pdf
https://americaninnovators.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CTEC_COVID_Side-by-Side_v4.pdf
Lana was kind enough to provide access to the US Chamber's Privacy Toolkit. It's a well-researched document that provides insight on things like the dreaded private right of action and notice and cure periods. Check out the Privacy Toolkit Here
The minute we get the Spring session calendar (traditionally the last week of Veto Session), I want to get a date set for a meeting in March that will be held simultaneously in person here in Springfield and virtually for those still on travel restrictions or located too far away to attend. Please reach out if you have any requested topics or speakers.
Data Center Tax Incentive
As I mentioned in an earlier newsletter, the Chamber is looking at possible tweaks to the data center tax incentive. Thank you for those of you who reached out with some great ideas. If anyone else has any thoughts, please don't hesitate to share.
DCEO provided me with some statistics the progress the state has made so far thanks to the incentive:
Data Centers Fiscal YTD Overview
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FY 2020
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FY 2021
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Number of businesses approved for Data Centers Program
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7
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3
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Total capital investment commitment
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$2.199 billion
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$1.352 billion
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New job creation commitment (FT and FTEs)
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222
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90
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New Tech Council Member
The Illinois Chamber Technology Council is thrilled to welcome a new member this week, Springfield's own bitsIO. bitsIO is led by their CEO Kalpana Krishnamurthi, a former Project Lead at the Illinois State Board of Elections. For more than 19 years, bitsIO has provided reliable and cost-effective cybersecurity, IT Operations solutions to improve client productivity and data security. Since 2018, bitsIO, an Elite Partner of Splunk, has been providing Splunk Implementation Services specializing in Splunk Enterprise, Splunk Cloud, Splunk Enterprise Security, ITSI, Phantom, Custom App Development and Use Cases. Its effective but cost-efficient solutions have made bitsIO a trusted name in the United States, United Kingdom, Costa Rica and India.
Recently bitsIO was recognized as No. 498 on Inc. 500 List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies. Please join me in welcoming them to the Tech Council!
Articles of Interest
Amazon helps accelerate shift to online shopping https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazons-prime-day-accelerates-shift-to-online-shopping-11602846014
Cook County budget not as painful as expected https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/preckwinkles-good-news-budget-no-tax-hikes-minimal-layoffs
AccuWeather predicts cold and snowy winter in Illinois https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/accuweather-predicts-cold-snowy-conditions-for-illinois/article_0ecec2fa-0d98-11eb-b32b-5bcc573df8bb.html
Who doesn't love Instacart https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/08/instacarts-valuation-has-more-than-doubled-in-2020-to-17point7-billion.html
Until next time,
Clark
