As the unifying voice for business in Illinois, the Chamber pursues an aggressive agenda in Springfield. Working closely with member businesses, our full-time Government Affairs representatives strive to make state government more business-friendly and the Illinois business climate more competitive.
Government Affairs Team
Left to right: Tom Wolf, Connie Beard, Jay Shattuck, Doug Whitley, Todd Maisch, Andrew Proctor, Laura Minzer, Sarah Frye and Gideon Blustein.
Government Affairs Report 
February 17, 2012
Three Key Questions about Quinn’s Budget Address
The 2012 legislative session begins in earnest next week with Governor Quinn’s budget address on Wednesday. The speech will be the Governor’s opportunity to demonstrate that the goals he outlined in his State of the State address are realistic and achievable. For the business community, employers will need to listen for both issues that weren’t included in the State of the State, namely new taxes on employers, and for specifics to proposals only broadly outlined on February 1.
These are the key questions for employers:
How much money does the Governor propose spending?
Last year, the Governor quickly made his budget irrelevant with the legislature by proposing more than $1 billion in new spending. With a backlog of unpaid bills topping $8 billion, the legislature is highly likely to dedicate any year over year increase in revenues to paying down the debt. That means a flat budget at best. The Governor used the term “investment” (read new spending) quite a bit in his State of the State for someone who has gotten the flat budget message.
What are the “loopholes” the Governor keeps mentioning?
The Governor pleased many employers when he proposed eliminating the state tax on natural gas in his State of the State. Unfortunately, he promptly began making public reference to “closing loopholes” to help fund his budget. By now employers know the code on “loopholes”: tax increases through the loss of important tax incentives and treatments. Has the Governor actually found new, non-damaging tax changes or will we see the Blagojevich-era list rolled out again this year?
Will the public get “reform” specifics?
To his credit, the Governor has talked up the need for reforming both public pensions and Medicaid, the two cost drivers most to blame for bankrupting the state. However, he has also talked up the supposed “reforms” of workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance, two systems sorely in need of additional overhauls. Next week’s address will give employers their first evidence of whether the Governor will propose real solutions to the problem or more window dressing masquerading as “reform”.
Next Week:
Committee Highlights
The following is a small selection of bills the Chamber has on our key legislation list that we are involved in:
House Health Care Availability and Accessibility Committee
Tuesday, February 21, 4:30pm, Room C-1 Stratton
HB2063 Insurance Discrimination
Rep. Flowers (D-Chicago)
Oppose
No insurance company can permit any distinction or discrimination against individuals because of handicaps or disabilities.
House Judiciary I-Civil Law Committee
Wednesday, February 22, 9:30am, Room C-1 Stratton
HB3877 Employee Fee Recovery Act
Rep. Zalewski (D-Chicago)
Support
If a former employee files two or more complaints with two or more separate State agencies against a single former employer and each complaint is dismissed, the former employer may petition the circuit court for an award of its attorney’s fees incurred to dismiss the complaints.
House Labor Committee
Wednesday, February 22, 2pm, Room 114 Capitol
HB3094 Prevailing Wage Exemption
Rep. Tryon (R-Crystal Lake)
Support
Exempts projects with a total cost of $20,000 or less from prevailing wage.
House State Government Administration Committee
Wednesday, February 22, 2pm C-1 Stratton
HB3934 EDGE Committee
Rep. Franks (D- Woodstock)
Oppose
Requires legislative approval for EDGE credits.
