We can now count the number of remaining session days on our fingers and yet many things remain in flux. This is typically the time people start whispering about overtime session, but the plane usually manages to land on time safely. I expect it will get done in time this year too but expect some turbulence the next few days. Thankfully, most of the drama surrounds redistricting and energy policy while infrastructure issues remain mostly stable.
Transportation Committee Updates:
On Tuesday, the Senate Transportation committee met and took action on several bills.
One bill that was considered was HB 253 sponsored by Chairman Villivalam. which proponents say will streamline funding, increase equity and improve how project funding is decided. Members of the committee praised the bill for the transparency it is supposed to create. The Republican Spokesperson, Senator DeWitte praised the bill and the Chairman’s effort on the initiative. HB 253 passed the committee unanimously and had previously passed the House unanimously.
This bill, as amended, requires the Department of Transportation to develop and publish a statewide multi-modal transportation improvement program for all transportation facilities under its jurisdiction and outlines the methods for developing the program. Requires the Department to develop a needs-based transit asset management plan for State-supported public transportation assets and make the plan publicly available on the Department's website. Requires the Department to develop a performance-based project selection process to prioritize taxpayer investment in State-owned transportation assets that add capacity, with input from specified stakeholders. Requires a summary of the project evaluation process, measures, program, and scores for all candidate projects to be published on the Department website in a timely manner. Requires the Regional Transportation Authority to develop a transparent prioritization process for Northeastern Illinois transit projects receiving State capital funding. Requires a summary of the project evaluation process, measures, program, and scores or prioritization criteria for all candidate projects to be published on the Authority's website in a timely manner. Provides that, starting April 1, 2022, no project shall be included in the 5-year capital program, or amendments to that program, without being evaluated under the selection process.
On Thursday, the House Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee met to consider a handful of resolutions. Each passed unanimously. No other substantive action was taken in the brief committee hearing.
6-Year $20.7 Billion Construction Plan Made Possible by 2019 Capital Bill Announced
This week IDOT and Governor Pritzker announced the release of a $20.7 billion multi-year plan to improve our roads and bridges over the next six years. Based on current funding levels, the FY2022-27 Proposed Highway Improvement Program aims to improve 2,779 miles of roads and 7.9 million square feet of bridge deck. Of the $20.7 billion over the six years of the program, $3.32 billion has been identified for the upcoming fiscal year.
Included in the program are a multitude of projects that will create economic opportunity, enhance quality of life, and improve safety on both the IDOT and local transportation systems.
Project selection was based on objective criteria, such as pavement conditions, traffic volumes and crash history. Of the major elements in the plan for IDOT roads and bridges, investments include: $5.79 billion for highway reconstruction and preservation, $4.82 billion for bridge improvements, $2.59 billion for strategic expansion, $1.43 billion for system support such as engineering and land acquisition, and $1.21 billion for safety and system modernizations.
“Illinois is the transportation hub of the Midwest, and I am pleased to see that maintaining and improving our roads and bridges remains a priority through this new multi-year plan,” said Senator Donald DeWitte (R-St. Charles), who serves as the Minority Spokesperson of the Senate Transportation Committee. “Especially as we begin to move out of the pandemic, a reliable transportation grid is essential to restoring economic vitality to businesses that have endured immense difficulty over the last 14 months.”
This enhanced program is made possible by the 2019 Rebuild Illinois plan advocated for by the Illinois Chamber.
Other Bills of Interest
SB 515, Large Public Utility passed the House by a vote of 117-0-0. This bill provides that to be included within the definition of "large public utility" an investor-owned public utility must regularly provide water or sewer service to more than 15,000 customer connections (rather than 30,000 customer connections).
SB 1809, Construction Debris passed out of the House Energy & Environment Committee by a vote of 19-0-0. This bill 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. Includes additional requirements for a general construction or demolition debris recovery facility. Changes or deletes certain requirements for a general construction or demolition debris recovery facility. In the provision regarding general construction or demolition debris recovery facility, removes or changes provisions regarding the use of the following terms: "treatment"; "recovered wood that is processed for use as fuel"; "non-recyclable general construction or demolition debris"; and "general construction or demolition debris that is process for use at a landfill". 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.
HB 3437, Hazardous Workforce Materials Training Act passed out of the Senate Executive Committee 10-6-0 after a second vote was taken. This bill requires workers at high hazard facilities to obtain minimum approved safety training, provided by the Occupational and Safety Health Administration, and to file a certificate of completion with the Department of Labor. Contains enforcement provisions. Provides that the Act does not apply to any owner or operator that has an executed national or local labor agreement in effect pertaining to the performance of construction work at a given facility or site under the terms of the agreement. Requires applicable apprenticeship and training programs, approved by and registered with the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship, providing minimum approved safety training for workers in high hazard facilities and contractors employing workers at high hazard facilities to file an annual report with the Department and the Illinois Works Review Panel. Provides that an owner or operator who violates the requirements of the Act shall be subject to a minimum civil penalty of $10,000 for each violation.
HB 3712, Car Sharing Program was placed on the Senate calendar for 3rd reading. This bill creates the Car-Sharing Program Act. As amended, provides that a car-sharing program shall assume liability of a shared-vehicle owner for bodily injury or property damage to third parties or uninsured and underinsured motorist or personal injury protection losses during the car-sharing period in an amount stated in the car-sharing agreement, which amount may not be less than 4 times the minimum amounts required under the Illinois Vehicle Code (instead of those amounts set forth in the Illinois Vehicle Code). Provides that a car-sharing program shall ensure that, during each car-sharing period, the shared-vehicle owner and the shared-vehicle driver are insured under a motor vehicle liability insurance policy that provides insurance coverage in amounts that, for the shared-vehicle driver, are equal to 2 times the minimum amounts set forth in the Illinois Vehicle Code (instead of in amounts no less than the minimum amounts set forth in the Illinois Vehicle Code).
HB 3940, Vehicle Franchise Warranty passed out of the Senate Executive Committee by a vote of 16-0-0. This bill provides that the sale of motor vehicles by unlicensed dealers shall be prohibited (rather than should be prevented). Changes the manner in which dealers are reimbursed by manufacturers. Provides that manufacturers must pay a dealer no less than the amount a retail customer pays the dealer for the same services. Authorizes the use of agreed upon time guides. Applies to warranty work and factory recalls. Establishes manner of determining effective labor rates.
Amendment of Note- Cairo Port Project
SB 1770 (SFA 0001) Wetlands/Cairo Port amendment was filed. This bill amends the Interagency Wetland Policy Act of 1989. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, this Act does not apply to construction activities at facilities or property covered by the Alexander-Cairo Port District Act, provided that such facilities or property are located within 6 miles of the confluence of the Ohio River and the Mississippi River, and further provided that such actions comply with the applicable mitigation requirements contained in 40. C.F.R. Part 230.
CMAP Freight Committee Update
CMAP’s Freight Committee met on Monday this week. The highlight was Dave Schaller’s presentation on the status of commercial freight truck electrification. He also shared information on the Electric Truck Bootcamp, a 10-part educational series on electric trucks appropriate for fleet managers, utility planners, policymakers, and more. The Bootcamp is conducted via virtual trainings held biweekly from April through August and is free to attendees.
“Life of a Soybean” Video Series
ATLANTA, Ill. – May 17, 2021 – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) and the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) announced the “Life of a Soybean” video series, which will provide a behind the scenes educational look at the process of planting, growing and harvesting soybeans. The 18th Congressional District of Illinois is the 10th largest district in terms of corn and soybean production.
The first video in the series can be viewed here.
“I am excited to work with ISA to give a behind-the-scenes look at the development of soybean in Illinois” said Rep. LaHood. “18th District farmers work hard each year to produce some of the world’s best products, and this will provide an educational look at why soybeans are important not only for use in food but to produce cleaner biodiesel products as well. In Congress, I’ll continue to be a strong advocate for Illinois soybean producers on the Ways and Means Committee.”
The series will follow the life of a soybean at Ron Kindred’s farm in Atlanta, Illinois.
Kindred and his wife, Jayne Kindred, talked to LaHood about spring planting progress and took the opportunity to speak with the Congressman about some of the issues weighing heaviest on Illinois farmers’ minds, including biodiesel, trade, and infrastructure.
“We thank the Congressman for his service and for his role as a leader for the farmers of the 18th district. We welcome him to our farm in Atlanta any time, and we look forward to having him in the combine at harvest,” says Kindred, also ISA board member and Government Relations Committee Chair.
Rep. LaHood serves on the Subcommittee on Trade for the Ways and Means Committee, the most powerful – and the oldest – committee in the House of Representatives. It has jurisdiction over tax measures, the management of public debt, trade and tariff laws, Social Security, Medicare, pensions, and many other economic growth measures.
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development and utilization efforts while the membership program supports the government relations interests of Illinois soybean farmers at the local, state, and national level, through the Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG). ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean producers through promotion, advocacy, and education with the vision of becoming a market leader in sustainable soybean production and profitability. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org.
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Articles of Interest
Until next time,
Clark
