February 20, 2009

Senate Bill Introduced for Chamber Ethics Compliance Clean-Up Language

Senator Harmon introduced SB 1509 this week, which will serve as the vehicle for the Chamber’s proposed changes to the state’s new Pay to Play law- P.A. 95-0971.  The Chamber’s proposed amendment, which has yet to be introduced, specifically targets onerous registration requirements that have placed tremendous costs on businesses required to comply with the law.

The Chamber began the effort to fix problematic provisions in the new law prior to its passage last year, but in the midst of the Tony Rezko and the mounting “pay to play” scandal, legislators were pressured to fast track the enacting legislation.  The new law, however, has created problems for businesses, not only in terms of navigating the new requirements, but also complying with provisions that require some businesses to register thousands of affiliated entities and persons.

To read more on the background of P.A. 95-0971 and a summary of the Chamber’s proposed changes to the law, please click here.

 

Chamber Introduces Pro-Business Legislative Initiatives

In addition to the proposed ethics compliance clean-up initiative, the Chamber has introduced a number of other business-friendly initiatives this year targeting issues ranging from healthcare to energy to taxes and workers’ compensation reform.  The Chamber’s proposed economic development package is expected to be introduced by Representative Mark Walker next week. 

The Chamber’s legislative initiatives are listed below:

HB 23 (Turner): Extends the graphic arts machinery and equipment and the manufacturer’s purchase credit until August 30, 2014 (these exemptions are currently set to expire on July 30). 

 

HB 927 (Mautino): Authorizes health plans to provide incentives to enrollees engaged in programs that encourage healthier behaviors.

 

SB 1420 (Righter): Provides for the recall of a decision or settlement related to worker’s compensation when fraud has been determined to have been committed.

 

SB 1631 (Silverstein): Strengthens current state anti-counterfeiting laws to protect businesses and consumers.

 

SB 1823 (Clayborne): The Chamber’s “Energy to Jobs” package.

 

New Government Reform Committee Opens with Discussion on FOIA Reform

The new Joint Committee on Government Reform, co-chaired by Speaker Madigan and Senate President Cullerton, met for the first time on Wednesday morning to discuss greater transparency in state government.  The major focus of that discussion fell on strengthening the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), particularly after the Blagojevich administration failed to adhere to the provisions of that law time and time again.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan, along with the Illinois Press Association and other open government advocacy groups, testified before the committee, offering their thoughts on how Illinois should enact FOIA reforms.  Attorney General Madigan testified that state agencies should be subject to fines of up to $1,000 for each failure to disclose requested public records. 

The committee is scheduled to meet again on Tuesday at 9 am to continue its subject mattering hearing on the topic of open government.  Documents, including testimony from witnesses at Wednesday’s hearing, are available at the legislative website.

Chamber Joins Coalition to Prevent Erroneous Emission Standards

National leaders are calling for a comprehensive and aggressive federal response to the climate change issue. Some in Illinois want the state to abandon the federal program and adopt California's fuel economy standards. These standards were designed by California legislators and regulators - with California's unique climate, geography and fleet mix in mind.

By adopting the California standards, Illinois is effectively ceding its authority to a state that is vastly different and tying itself to all future regulatory changes that California makes. Most importantly, adopting California's standards could actually mean an increase in greenhouse gas emissions from the federal plan.  Click here for more information and to take action.

 

 

Other Bills of Interest in Committee Next Week:

 

House Insurance Committee- Tuesday, February 24, 2 pm:

HB 1081 (Ryg): Assesses a graduated payroll tax on all Illinois employers to finance a major expansion of state-controlled healthcare coverage.  The Chamber strongly opposes this legislation and will have a full analysis of this legislation posted at its website next week.

The committee is also set to take up several insurance mandates to which the Chamber is opposed, including HB 378 (Sacia), HB 439 (Crespo), and HB 1082 (Gordon. The Chamber’s wellness coverage initiative- HB 978 (Mautino)- is also scheduled to be heard.

House Healthcare Availability and Access- Tuesday, February 24, 4pm:

This committee is also set to hear several insurance mandate bills to which the Chamber is opposed, including HB 29 (Flowers), HB 152 (Mendoza), HB 213 (Smith), and HB 626 (Flowers).

House Elections & Campaign Finance Reform Committee- Tuesday, February 24, 4pm:

HB 733 (Boland): Creates the Illinois Clean Elections Act to set up a voluntary method of public financing.

House Transportation, Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee- Tuesday, February 24, 2pm:

HB 448 (Ford): Doubles the annual registration rate on trucks weighing over 8,000 pounds.  The Chamber is opposed.

House Human Services Committee- Wednesday, February 25, 8am:

HB 332 (Franks): Requires every prescription drug manufacturer and labeler to disclose the value, nature, and purpose of any gift, fee, payment, subsidy, or other economic benefit provided in connection with its pharmaceutical marketers, to any physician, hospital, nursing home, pharmacist, health benefit plan administrator, or any other person in the State authorized to prescribe or dispense prescription drugs.  The Chamber is opposed.

House Labor Committee- Wednesday, February 25, 2pm:

HB 374 (Turner): Creates the Abusive Work Environment Prevention Act that loosely defines “abusive conduct” and “abusive workplace,” giving disgruntled employees an easy avenue towards penalizing employers.  The Chamber is opposed.

 Prejudgment Interest Bill Held in Senate Judiciary

SB 184 (Haine), which was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee last week, is not currently re-posted for committee this week.  This legislation would impose prejudgment interest on awards for damages and unfairly place businesses at a serious legal disadvantage.  To read the Chamber’s position paper on this bill, please click here.