Andrew Cunningham l Executive Director, Infrastructure Council l 217-520-2345

Session Update

The House and Senate are set to return to Springfield this Tuesday for the beginning of three scheduled days of veto session. There are no transportation committees currently posted for next week.

As I mentioned in the last newsletter, we are still watching the Procurement Omnibus bill. HB 2878 received an amendatory veto concerning the definition of a responsible public entity under the P3 for Transportation Act. A motion was filed by the Chief Sponsor, Leader Hoffman to accept the amendatory veto. In his veto message, the Governor cited concerns with the expansion of P3 authority to units of local government and what he sees as a possibility for corruption. 

Veto Session Dates Reminder: November 7th-9th.

Illinois EPA Announces $27 Million Notice of Funding Opportunity for Public Light-Duty Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Infrastructure

IEPA today announced the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) EV Charging Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the purchase and installation of new Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) light-duty electric vehicle charging stations at publicly accessible locations. The NOFO and related documents have been posted to the Illinois EPA website.

Illinois EPA anticipates funding a percentage of projects with awards for electric DC fast charging stations to be located at publicly accessible locations (shopping centers, retail stores, gas stations, etc.). This round is expected to fund 675 fast charging ports.

Each application must include a minimum of two charging station locations, with at least two standalone chargers at each charging station location

Additional points will also be awarded to projects at a charging station location in an area identified as an equity investment eligible community through the EIEC mapping tool. At that link, communities qualify for the additional points if they are in either an EJ or an R3 Community. They do not need to be in both.

Eligible applicants include private organizations (including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies) that are incorporated under Illinois law and registered and in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State. Eligible applicants must be an owner of a proposed charging station location and/or an owner of the proposed charging station.

Applications for the Driving a Cleaner Illinois – Climate and Equitable Jobs Act EV Charging NOFO will be accepted November 3, 2023 through 5:00 PM (CST) on December 22, 2023.

Illinois Chamber Attends EVBox Troniq Modular Launch at North American Headquarters in Libertyville

Last Friday, Illinois Chamber Sr. Vice President of Government Affairs, Clark Kaericher and Energy Council Executive Director, Alec Messina were pleased to attend Chamber member EVBox's Troniq Modular launch at the company's North American headquarters in Libertyville. EVBox CEO Remco Samuels was in attendance alongside numerous guests of honor including Governor JB Pritzker, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Congressman Brad Schneider, and State Senator Dan McConchie. 

Called the Troniq Modular, EVBox’s new product is a National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) ready electric vehicle (EV) charging station. With its North American headquarters in Libertyville, EVBox is a global leader in the EV charging sector and a key player in Illinois’ rapidly growing EV manufacturing ecosystem. Founded in 2010, EVBox is a market leader in electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVSE) that has delivered over 500,000 charging ports to partners and customers globally. 

Thank you EVBox for your investment in Illinois and your partnership with the Chamber!

Online Public Meeting for the I-80 Mississippi River Bridge Study

On Wednesday, November 15th the public is encouraged to attend the fourth Public Meeting for the I-80 Mississippi River Bridge study. The purpose of the Public Meeting is to review study information and the Preferred Alternative, and to provide feedback to the project team. The study includes approximately six miles from the I-88/I-80 interchange in Illinois to 35th Street SW in LeClaire, Iowa.

The session will include a video presentation, exhibits and a question-and-answer session with representatives from the departments of transportation, as well as the project consultant team. Public comments will be accepted during and after the meeting. Comments received through Wednesday, November 29, will become part of the public meeting record.

Meeting registration and project information is available on the project’s information hub, www.I80MississippiBridge.com. A recording of the meeting and related materials will be available on the website following the meeting.

Save the Date: 10th Annual Illinois Chamber New Laws Forum

The New Laws Forum focuses on the new laws and legal developments that will affect ALL Illinois employers in 2024 and beyond. The forum features Illinois attorneys and experts speaking about Illinois laws – as well as representatives from government agencies talking about the latest changes and your peers, a panel of Senior HR professionals discussing how the laws have and will affect their businesses. It's already been a busy year, and more regulation is coming.

When: December 5, 2023 | 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Where: Doubletree Hilton l 3003 Corporate West Drive

Lisle, IL 60532

Register Here.

Articles of Interest  

UPS To Buy Reverse Logistics Specialist Happy Returns from PayPal

Tentative Deal Reached to End St. Lawrence Seaway Strike

Uber Freight CEO says the shipping recession is at a new tipping point

Panama Canal to Halve Daily Sailings This Winter Due to Drought

Not a member and want to learn more about the Illinois Chamber - click here to contact Danielle Blake. Click here to contact Jack Bernhardt.