Sometimes it is helpful to think of the legislative session as a HIIT workout. If last week’s deadline was an all-out sprint, this week was more of a light jog to catch our collective breath before things pick up again.
Speaking of running, the 147th Kentucky Derby is this weekend. Todd is so excited that he purchased special socks for the occasion. Me? I’m more interested in the Mint Juleps but I’ll go with Midnight Bourbon to place.
Committee Updates
Transportation committees met this week but no business of major concern was conducted. The House Transportation: Regulation and Roads Committee, for example, met Tuesday afternoon solely to discuss various road naming measures. The Senate Transportation Committee met an hour later for two measures on the agreed bill list: one for non-highway vehicles and another freeing IDOT personnel to deal with smaller airport funding by removing pass through requirements for the state’s largest airports.
SB 2653- Truck Emissions
The Infrastructure Council has been closely watching SB 2653. We were proud to be part of a coalition led by the two large trucking associations which reached a negotiated solution to a very problematic amendment. Special thanks to Matt Wells and Matt Hart for their work on this.
SB 2563, Emissions passed the Senate by a vote of 37-15-0. As amended, this bill requires the Department of Transportation to include in its diesel powered vehicle emission inspection report the number of inspections conducted at a brick-and-mortar official testing station and the number of inspections conducted by an official portable emissions testing company. Removes language allowing a permittee to issue certificates of safety. Allows a permittee to conduct interstate inspections on interstate carriers in accordance with federal regulations. The amendment removed the onerous California emission standards in favor of an IDOT study. IDOT must complete the study by March 15, 2023. The Chamber is neutral on the bill as it passed the Senate.
Governor Pritzker Proposals on Electric Vehicles
On Wednesday, the Governor released a 900 page comprehensive energy proposal. The bill represents his marker for energy policies and start the real negotiation on an issue where every legislative leader expects there to be significant legislation passed before the adjournment.
Our Energy Council will be taking an in-depth examination of that bill. However, I expect many of you in the Infrastructure Council will be interested in the provisions concerning “transportation electrification”. Here are some dot points from that section:
• Increase the adoption of electric vehicles on the road to 1,000,000 by 2030.
• Require IEPA to issue EV charging rebates to organizations and companies who build charging stations, up to 90% of the cost of the charging station, up to $4,000 for Level 2 chargers and up to $5,000 for Level 3 chargers.
• Require electric utilities to file transportation electrification plans with the ICC for programs to address investments and incentives to facilitate the deployment of charging equipment.
• Appoint an EV Coordinator at IEPA to oversee all electric vehicle-related policies and activities and reconvene the EV Advisory Council.
• Offer $4,000 rebates for consumers who buy an electric vehicle.
Expect more in the upcoming weeks on this issue.
Cairo Port Project Gaining Steam
On Wednesday, it was announced that a project labor agreement had been reached between the Alexander Cairo Port District and the AFL-CIO. This agreements represents a major step toward the construction of a new port in Cairo, Illinois. The agreement ensures 500 union construction jobs for Illinois workers in the area.
80 percent of all barge traffic in the US passes Cairo. The capital bill included $40 million for the completion of this project. Due to the completion of this project, the Port District has already announced contracts with major shipping container companies. These logistics companies will use the port to transport agricultural goods among other thing things. Senator Dale Fowler (R) says that the new port will be "game-changing" for the region and the state. Infrastructure Council members got a detailed look at this project during the annual Spring meeting and are excited about its prospects.
Two Amendments of Note
SB 1089 (SFA 0003), Construction Waste was filed. This amendment provides that for the disposal of solid waste from general construction or demolition debris recovery facilities, the total fee, tax, or surcharge imposed by all units of local government upon the solid waste disposal facility shall not exceed 50% of the applicable amount. Changes a provision concerning facilities accepting exclusively general construction or demolition debris for transfer, storage, or treatment to apply to general construction or demolition recovery facilities. Provides that no person shall: cause or allow the acceptance of any waste at a general construction or demolition debris recovery facility, other than general construction or demolition debris; cause or allow the deposit or other placement of general construction or demolition debris that is received at a general construction or demolition debris recovery facility into or on any land or water; beginning one year after the effective date of rules adopted by the Pollution Control Board, own or operate a general construction or demolition debris recovery facility without a permit issued by the Environmental Protection Agency; and cause or allow the storage or treatment of general construction or demolition debris in violation of the Act, any regulations or standards adopted under the Act, or any condition of a permit issued under the Act. Requires the Agency to propose, and the Board to adopt, rules for permitting the operation of general construction or demolition debris recovery facilities. Provides for administrative citations and civil penalties regarding violations of the provision regarding general construction or demolition debris recovery facilities, including a civil penalty of $1,500 for each violation, plus any hearing costs incurred by the Board and the Agency, and a civil penalty of $3,000 for a second or subsequent violation. Makes other changes. Makes conforming changes. Repeals a provision regarding the limitation on fees assessed by local government on facilities accepting exclusively general construction and demolition debris.
SB 1204 (SFA 0001), Suspension of Labor by Employees was filed. This bill amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. With regard to the right to organize and bargain collectively, provides that employees covered under the Act have the right to engage in activities not otherwise prohibited by law for health and safety reasons. In provisions concerning prohibitions, provides that the good faith concerted cessation or suspension of labor by employees (rather than the quitting of labor by an employee or employees in good faith) because of abnormally dangerous conditions for work at the place of employment shall not be deemed a strike or an abandonment of employment (rather than shall not be deemed a strike) under the Act. Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. With regard to employee rights, provides that it is lawful for educational employees to engage in lawful concerted activities for health and safety reasons. In provisions concerning strikes, provides that a good faith concerted cessation or suspension of labor by educational employees because of abnormally dangerous conditions for work at the place of employment shall not be deemed a strike or an abandonment of employment under the Act.
Articles of Interest
Until next time,
Clark
