Spring Session 2021 Legislative Report

Fortunately, we did not have any legislation that adversely affected the Oil and Gas industry this session.  The General Assembly worked through Memorial Day weekend and wrapped up in the early hours of June 1st.  The House adjourned at 2:40am and the Senate at 3:07am.  The Senate will reconvene at 10am this morning and the House recessed to the call of the chair.  Most of the major items were taken care of before the May 31st simple majority deadline passed.  All votes taken now require a 3/5 majority, which is now 71 votes to pass the House and 36 votes to pass the Senate.  An omnibus energy bill is the only major piece of legislation looming over the legislature, which will be called when language is agreed upon between all parties.

ENERGY

At the heart of the session extension is a comprehensive energy bill pushed by the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA).  House and Senate negotiators had been working with the Governor’s office to reach an agreed bill.  Key components are keeping the Exelon nuclear fleet in operation, extending a rate formula for utilities, extending credits for renewable energy and stronger ethics language in the wake of ongoing investigations regarding Commonwealth Edison.  CEJA wants a carbon tax but it was not included in the package that was moving forward.  Legislative leaders had an agreement on all major items except the Exelon incentives.  Language exempting coal-fired Prairie State Energy in Washington County was included in the legislative draft language.  Exempting coal-fired CWLP in Springfield was also being considered.  As staff was working on final language, the Governor’s office finally reached an agreement to keep the Exelon plants open.  This should have been the last major negotiated item.

CEJA and the Governor then demanded that all coal fired plants be shut down by 2035 and all gas fired facilities end by 2045. Organized Labor and coal interests objected, and the bill was not filed.

BUDGET

In the late hours of Memorial Day, the appropriation legislation was introduced in SB 2800. The budget for next year is $42.2 billion.  Illinois is scheduled to receive $8.1 billion from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).  The FY 22 budget has appropriated $2.5 billion from ARPA with the remainder subject to appropriation in Fiscal Years 2023-2025.

The bill was approved with 72 yes, 44 no, and 1 present votes in the House and the Senate approved it with 37 yes and 21 no votes.

In order to reach the necessary revenue to deal with the projected deficit from GRF, the governor’s office had proposed closing or reducing numerous tax incentives.  The Legislature’s budget incorporated only four from the original list:

  • Eliminate accelerated depreciation allowed under the Federal Tax Cut & Jobs Act.The state estimates by removing this accelerated depreciation, it will generate $214 million for the state. The federal TCJA allowed a business to take 100% depreciation deduction in the year of purchase for qualifying assets.
  • Cap Corporate Net Operating Loss (NOL) Deduction at $100,000 per year. This caps the amount a business can carry forward its NOL to future years. It is estimated the state will see an increase in tax revenues of $314 million.
  • Align Treatment of Foreign-Source Dividends to treatment of Domestic Source Dividends.This was another tax incentive provided by the Federal Tax Cut & Jobs Act that allowed corporations to deduct foreign source dividends at 100% and global intangible low-taxed income at 50%. It is estimated the state will see an increase of tax revenue of $107 million.
  • Stops the Corporate Franchise Tax phase out.In 2019 legislation was approved to begin the gradual phase out of the Corporate Franchise Tax by 2024. The BIMP bill eliminates the first $1,000 in Corporate Franchise Tax currently in place. It is estimated this will cost businesses $20 million.

ETHICS

SB 539 prohibits all fundraisers by a legislator or executive branch official statewide on or before session days. Currently, these events were only prohibited in Sangamon County on session days.  It would prohibit any legislator or executive branch officer to engage in lobbying for pay a unit of local government while in office. It provides that a violation will be a Class A misdemeanor. Also, any individual appointed to an executive agency, board or commission who controls a political action committee must freeze those funds while an appointee.

It further creates a 6 month ban for a legislator or executive branch official from becoming a lobbyist after leaving office. It also makes changes to make the Legislative Inspector General to be more independent in his or her operations and investigations.

It changes the way in which legislators are paid. If a legislator were to leave office, he or she would only be paid a pro-rated per day rate. Currently, a legislator can get paid a full month’s salary if he or she holds office for 1 day of the entire month.

The bill also requires anyone paid to be a lobbyist at the local level (municipal, county, township) to register with the Secretary of State, to be subject to all the requirements of being a state lobbyist.  The legislation requires consultants to subject to the same reporting requirements as lobbyists and register with the Secretary of State.

 2022 PRIMARY DATE CHANGE-REDISTRICTING

The General Assembly moved the 2022 Primary Election date to June 28th for this election cycle only. The bill delays the start of circulating petitions for candidates from established parties to January 13, 2022. The petitions would be submitted between March 7th through March 14th. The bill also lowers the number of signatures on petitions by approximately 1/3. Deadlines for mail-in ballot, early voting, and other voting requirements will be adjusted to match the new June 28th Primary Election Date.

The bill also makes other changes in the election code dealing with voting. It establishes the General Election Day of November 8, 2022, as a state holiday. Public schools would be closed and allowed to be used as public polling places. Curbside voting would be allowed not just on Election Day, but also during early voting. Election authorities will be required to have one common voting location open on election day either at the location of an election authority or in the authority’s largest municipality that will allow any registered voter to vote there instead of their polling place. Finally, it establishes the ability for a voter to request permanent mail-in ballot status.

Regarding local government redistricting, the bill makes several changes. It allows counties to use any data it wishes for redistricting of county board districts, including the US Census American Community Survey 5-year data. For most counties, it pushes the deadline back to complete their redistricting until December 31, 2021 vs. the current July 1, 2021, deadline. For counties with a voter elected county Chairperson or a County Executive, these individuals have until the third Wednesday in November 2021 to present their proposed redistricting plans.

The bill addresses the process for filling vacant seats in the General Assembly. Before the replacement of a State Senator or Representative, the committee making the replacement shall publicly make available the names of the committeepersons, the date, time, and location of the meeting, and how interested parties wishing to apply may do so. It also changes the process if a Senate or Representative District has a vacancy. The replacement committee will be the chair of the appropriate central committee and two appointees by the chair if the district is wholly within the County.

All 118 Representatives and 59 Senators will run in new districts in 2023.  New boundaries were established in HB 1777 to comply with the redistricting required after each census.  New Supreme Court boundaries were also established.  The Congressional maps will be voted on at a later date.  Illinois will lose one Congressional seat based on the U.S population.

TRAILER TAX

SB 58 creates a new class of small trailers. The new class of trailers will be classified as “Utility Trailer” (UT) are of one axel, weighing under 2,000 pounds, used primarily for personal or individual use, and not owned by a commercial business. The bill establishes a fee of $36 annually for the new UT plates and decreases the TA plate, which is a trailer of more than 2,000 but less than 3,000 pounds to $36 from $118 annually. The bill does increase the fee a certificate of title from $150 to $155 and all state revenues generated from this additional $5 will be deposited int the Road Fund.

The bill also changes the way in which the sales tax is collected on vehicle trade-in at $10,000 or more through a car dealership. The bill restores the full credit trade-in rates that had been capped at $10,000. The bill does put in place a new rate structure for person-to-person vehicle tax levels

 

 

 

IOGA Legislative Update – May 6, 2021

Dan Reitz | IOGA Lobbyist

The House and Senate are scheduled through Friday this week and will continue to meet through the end of May.  The bill deadline in the Senate is Friday, May 7th.  The bills listed below have had action taken since the 4/16/21 report with action in bold.

Partial Watch List

Senate Bill 1095 (Crowe-D) Senate Amendment 1 changes in Sections 1 and 6 of the Illinois Oil and Gas Act. Passed out of Energy and Public Utilities on April 20th and is on the calendar of third readings.

House Bill 74 (Flowers-D) requires employers to provide six weeks of paid leave for maternity/paternity or to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Re-referred to rules on 3/27/21.

House Bill 165 (Bennett-R) creates a Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Legislation Task Force.  Passed out of the House on April 20th with a vote of 112-0 and is assigned to Energy and Public Utilities in the Senate.

House Bill 166 (Bennett-R) creates a new Carbon Dioxide Geologic Storage program requiring reservoir permits by the Department of Natural Resources.  Reading deadline in the House has passed.

House Bill 3092 (Harper-D) requires the Illinois EPA to perform an environmental justice impact analysis prior to granting a permit.  Currently, there is no actual environmental justice law; rather Illinois is operating via policy. It appears the Pritzker Administration is leaning toward a legislative solution. A large coalition of business groups are working on a strategy to have viable alternatives to present to the Governor should environmental justice advocate policies prove unworkable.  Reading deadline in the House has passed.

House Bill 616 (Costa-Howard-D) mandates 12-week leave for employees with paid health insurance coverage.  Reading deadline in the House has passed.

House Bill 804 (Williams-D) creates the Clean Jobs, Workforce and Contractor Equity Act.  Parts of this will be incorporated into the Omnibus Energy Bill which is being worked on.

House Bill 2493(Meier-R) Provides that moneys received under the Illinois Hydraulic Fracturing Tax Act shall be used only for the payment of pension obligations of the State of Illinois.           Reading deadline in the House has passed.

Senate Bill 2514  creates a permitting process and implement a fee of $0.08 per ton of carbon dioxide. All are opposed by environmental advocates.  Re-referred to assignments on 4/16/21.

IOGA Legislative Update – April 16, 2021

Dan Reitz | IOGA Lobbyist

The House and Senate continue to meet in person. Both chambers have scheduled session at least 3 days per week through the end of May. Changes of status from the last update are in bold.

Partial Watch List

House Bill 74 (Flowers-D) requires employers to provide six weeks of paid leave for maternity/paternity or to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Re-referred to rules on 3/27/21.

House Bill 165 (Bennett-R) creates a Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Legislation Task Force. Placed on calendar order of third reading on 4/16/21.

House Bill 166 (Bennett-R) creates a new Carbon Dioxide Geologic Storage program requiring reservoir permits by the Department of Natural Resources. Re-referred to rules on 3/27/21.

House Bill 3092 (Harper-D) requires the Illinois EPA to perform an environmental justice impact analysis prior to granting a permit. Currently, there is no actual environmental justice law; rather Illinois is operating via policy. It appears the Pritzker Administration is leaning toward a legislative solution. A large coalition of business groups are working on a strategy to have viable alternatives to present to the Governor should environmental justice advocate policies prove unworkable. Re-referred to rules on 3/27/21.

House Bill 616 (Costa-Howard-D) mandates 12-week leave for employees with paid health insurance coverage. Re-referred to rules on 3/27/21.

House Bill 804 (Williams-D) creates the Clean Jobs, Workforce and Contractor Equity Act.

House Bill 2493(Meier-R) Provides that moneys received under the Illinois Hydraulic Fracturing Tax Act shall be used only for the payment of pension obligations of the State of Illinois.   Re-referred to rules on 3/27/21.

Senate Bill 2514 (Rose-R) creates a permitting process and implement a fee of $0.08 per ton of carbon dioxide. All are opposed by environmental advocates. Assigned to Energy and Public Utilities committee on 3/23/21.

Illinois Legislative Update – March 23, 2021

Dan Reitz | IOGA Lobbyist

The House and Senate still continue to hold virtual committees.  Both chambers met last week in the Capitol and the Senate is in session this week.  All bills are due to be reported from a standing committee on March 26, but the Senate is extending the deadline now to April 16 and the House could do the same. Both chambers start spring break next week and are scheduled back in session on April 13.

State Representative Andre Thapedi resigned from the 32nd House District. Democrat party leaders will appoint his replacement.

House Republicans announced their legislative priorities in its Reimagine Illinois platform, including four “common sense” areas: ethics reform, fiscally responsible leadership, growing jobs, and ensuring public safety. Republicans are pushing for pension reform to address the state’s structural deficit.

Partial Watch List

House Bill 165 (Bennett-R) creates a Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Legislation Task Force. An amendment has been filed to change the task force to a study completed by the University of Illinois’ Prairie Research Institute with a science-based overview of carbon capture’s potential in Illinois.

House Bill 166 (Bennett-R) creates a new Carbon Dioxide Geologic Storage program requiring reservoir permits by the Department of Natural Resources.

House Bill 3092 (Harper-D) requires EPA to analyze impact on environmental justice communities for permits.

House Bill 804 (A. Williams-D), the Clean Energy Jobs Act focusing on carbon reduction and job creation, passed from the House Energy & Environment Committee and is now on House Second Reading. Representative Williams agreed to continue negotiating the bill. The bill aims at committing Illinois to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

House Bill 2493 (Meier-R)  Provides that money received under the Illinois Hydraulic Fracturing Tax Act shall be used only for the payment of pension obligations of the State of Illinois.  Assigned to Sales, Amusement, & Other Taxes Subcommittee.

Senate Bill 2005, Senate Bill 2514 & House Bill 166 create a permitting process and implement a fee of $0.08 per ton of carbon dioxide. All are opposed by environmental advocates.

Continue to watch other bills that are bad for business and could potentially impact IOGA.

2021 Session

Dan Reitz | IOGA Lobbyist

Bridge Session Review: In early January, the Illinois General Assembly returned to Springfield for the first time in over 7 months. The Legislature used these final days to close out the end of the 101st General Assembly and address several unresolved issues before the start of the 102nd General Assembly. Listed below are a few items of that may affect our members. 

The biggest legislative item was a series of bills, developed through the Summer and Fall by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus (ILBC) to address many of the social injustice and equity issues which predominated much of 2020. The ILBC worked around 4 pillars – Criminal Justice Reform, Education Reform, Economic Opportunity Reform, and Healthcare Reform. 

HB 3360 passed both Houses- it will allow for the recovery of prejudgment interest in personal injury cases. 

Leadership shift in the Illinois House-Despite all the legislative activity that was occurring during the lame duck session, the biggest shake-up was the decision by long-time House Speaker Michael Madigan to remove his name from consideration for the office. Although Madigan had the overwhelming support of majority the caucus, 19 caucus members refused to support him which made it impossible for him to get the 60 votes needed to be elected Speaker. Once he withdrew his name from consideration, Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Westchester), emerged as the caucus’ preferred candidate. Representative Welch was elected to the post of Speaker, making him the first Black to hold that position. Speaker Welch accepted the position and immediately called on both parties to work for common ground and most importantly respect each other. 

Speaker Welch announced his leadership team this week, it includes: Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) – Majority Leader; Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) – Deputy Majority Leader / Speaker Pro-Tempore; Rep. Mary E. Flowers (D-Chicago) – Deputy Majority Leader and Dean of the Caucus; Rep. Jaime M. Andrade, Jr. (D-Chicago) – Assistant Majority Leader; Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) – Assistant Majority Leader; Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-Cicero) – Assistant Majority Leader; Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Belleville) – Assistant Majority Leader; Rep. Natalie Manley (D-Romeoville) – Assistant Majority Leader; Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr. (D-Chicago) – Assistant Majority Leader; Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) – Assistant Majority Leader; and Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Champaign) – Democratic Conference Chair

In addition to the leadership appointments, Speaker Welch announced the creation of 6 Whips, they are as follows: Will Guzzardi (Progressive Caucus Whip); Kam Buckner (Black Caucus Whip); Theresa Mah (Asian Caucus Whip); Larry Walsh Jr. (Downstate Caucus Whip); Deb Conroy (Women’s Caucus Whip); and Aaron Ortiz (Latino Caucus Whip)

Senate Leadership-Don Harmon will continue to serve as the Senate President and Dan McConchie is the new of Minority Leader, filling the vacancy left when Bill Brady announced he was stepping down. Along with Senator Brady, Senators Heather Steans and Andy Manar have also retired since the new session started. 

Legislative Session: The legislative session is off to a slow start due to the change in leadership in the House and the uncertainty with scheduling session days at the Capitol in the middle of the pandemic. The past two sessions for the House have been held at the Bank of Springfield Center to provide enough space for 118 legislators and staff. It is cost prohibitive to keep meeting there. The House is formulating a plan to meet at the Capitol.

The Senate is scheduled to meet on March 2. The House adopted their Rules on February 10. The major changes in the Rules for the House included term limits for legislative leaders and a rule that allows for remote meetings. Both chambers have cancelled all other session days in February. The Senate has already adopted their Rules that allow them to hold remote committee hearings. The scheduled end of session is May 30.

Bill Introduction: The slow start to the new session has impacted bill introductions as well. There have been very few in the House or the Senate at the time of this report. None to date affect our industry directly. 

Committee Chairmen: Committee chair appointments were just released. Most are still in their old chairmanships. Sonya Harper remains chair of Agriculture and Conservation, Larry Walsh is still chair of Public Utilities, Marcus Evans remains chair of Labor and Commerce and Ann Williams is still chair of Environment and Energy. Bob Rita is the new chair of the Executive committee. 

2020 Illinois General Assembly Election Results

Dan Reitz | IOGA Lobbyist

Below you will find a review of the November 3rd election results for the Illinois General Assembly.

ILLINOIS SENATE 

In the Illinois Senate, 22 of the 59 seats were on the ballot, 11 were contested, and only two were competitive.  House Representative and Senate Democratic candidate Karina Villa picked up the 25th district seat vacated by Republican Senator Jim Oberweis, who at the time of writing, successfully ran for Congress. The Senate Democrats now hold a 41-18 super majority.  Senator David Koehler successfully defeated his challenger, and Senator Robert Martwick (D) was in the lead in an unexpectedly heated race.  Open and key competitive races are listed below.

Key Senate Races and Open Seats:   

10th Senate District:  In a surprisingly competitive race, Senator Robert Martwick (D, Chicago) is holding onto a narrow lead over challenger Anthony Beckman (R, Harwood Heights).  Final votes will be counted by November 17th.

11th Senate District:  Senator Celina Villanueva (D, Chicago) defeated a challenge from Democracy in America candidate Mari Brown.  Villanueva replaced former State Senator Martin Sandoval.

25th Senate District – Open Seat:  In this highly competitive race, at the time of this writing State Representative Karina Villa (D, West Chicago) is narrowly leading Jeanette Ward (R, West Chicago) to replace Republican State Senator Jim Oberweis who ran for Congress.

31st Senate District:  Senator Melinda Bush (D, Grayslake) is expected to defeat a challenge from Christopher Kasperski (R, Lindenhurst).  The Lake County election authority was having difficulty at the time of writing.

34th Senate District:  Senator Steve Stadelman (D, Caledonia) defeated challenger Paul Hofmann (R, Roscoe).

37th Senate District:  Republican Win Stoller ran unopposed to replace retiring Senator Chuck Weaver.

40th Senate District:  Senator Patrick Joyce (D, Essex) defeated a challenge from Eric Wallace (R, Flossmoor).  Joyce emerged victorious in a crowded primary field after he was appointed to replace Senator Toi Hutchinson who was appointed to lead the Pritzker Administration’s oversight of adult cannabis.

43rd Senate District – Open Seat:  Representative John Connor (D, Lockport) defeated Ben Bierly (R, Elwood) to replace Senator Pat McGuire who did not seek reelection.

46th Senate District:  Senator Dave Koehler (D, Peoria) defeated a strong challenge from Mary Burress (R, Pekin).

49th Senate District – Open Seat:  Meg Cappel (D, Shorewood) defeated Thomas McCullagh (R, Shorewood) to replace Democratic Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant who did not seek reelection.

52nd Senate District:  State Senator Scott Bennett (D, Champaign) defeated a challenge from Alexander Ruggieri (R, Savoy).

55th Senate District – Open Seat:  State Representative Darren Bailey (R, Xenia) defeated a challenge from Cynthia Given (D, Olney) to replace Republican Senator Dale Righter who did not seek reelection.

58th Senate District – Open Seat:  Representative Terri Bryant (R, Murphysboro) ran unopposed to replace Republican Senator Paul Schmipf who did not seek reelection.

 

ILLINOIS HOUSE 

In the Illinois House, all 118 seats were on the ballot, with 64 of those being contested. Due to mail-in ballots not being counted at the time of writing, the results below could change.  House Republican members Grant Wehrli and Allen Skillicorn lost their re-election bids, while Representatives Cabello, Batinick, Grant, Mazzochi, Morrison, and Stephens fought off challengers to win re-election.  House Democrats Bristow, Edly-Allen, Pappas, and Reitz all lost their bids to return to Springfield.

 

Key House Races and Open Seats: 

17th Representative District:  Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D, Glenview) easily defeated a challenge from Yesoe Yoon (R, Skokie) and Green Party Candidate Christopher Kruger.

18th Representative District:  Representative Robyn Gabel (D, Evanston) defeated a challenge from Independent candidate Sean Matlis.

19th Representative District:  Representative Lindsey LaPointe (D, Chicago) defeated a challenge from Jeff Muehlfelder (R, Chicago) and Libertarian candidate Joseph Schreiner.

20th Representative District:   In this highly targeted race, appointed Representative Brad Stephens (R, Rosemont) is leading over his opponent Michelle Darbro, (D, Chicago) at the time of this writing.  Stephens was appointed to replace Representative Michael McAullife who resigned.

35th Representative District:  Representative Fran Hurley (D, Chicago) defeated a challenge from Herbert Hebein (R, Chicago).

37th Representative District – Open Seat:  Tim Ozinga (R, Mokena) defeated Michelle Fadeley (D, Joliet) to replace Republican Representative Margo McDermed who did not seek reelection.

38th Representative District:  Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin (D, Olympia Fields) defeated a challenge from Max Solomon (R, Hazel Crest).

41st Representative District:  In this highly competitive race, Janet Yang Rohr (D, Naperville) defeated Representative Grant Wehrli (R, Naperville).

42nd Representative District:  In this competitive race, Representative Amy Grant (R, Wheaton) defeated challenger Ken Mejia-Beal (D, Lisle) with all precincts reporting.

45th Representative District:  Seth Lewis (R, Bartlett) defeated Representative Diane Pappas (D, Itasca).  This race was a rematch from 2018.

47th Representative District:  In this highly competitive race, Representative Deanne Mazzochi (R, Elmhurst) defeated a challenge from Jennifer Zordani (D, Clarendon Hills).

48th Representative District:  First-term Representative Terra Costa Howard (D, Glen Ellyn) defeated a challenge from former Representative Peter Breen, (R, Lombard).  Breen lost to Costa Howard in 2018

49th Representative District – Open Seat:  Maura Hirschauer (D, Batavia) defeated Laura Curtis (R, North Aurora) to replace Democratic Representative Karina Villa.

50th Representative District:  Representative Keith Wheeler (R, Oswego) defeated a challenge from Kate Monteleone (D, St. Charles).

51st Representative District:  Chris Bos (R, Lake Zurich) will flip this seat back to the Republicans by defeating one term Representative Mary Edly-Allen (D, Libertyville).

52nd Representative District – Open Seat:  Martin McLaughlin (R, Barrington Hills) defeated a challenge from Marci Suelzer (D, Island Lake) and Green Party candidate Alia Sarfraz to replace Republican Representative David McSweeney who did not seek reelection.

54th Representative District:  Representative Tom Morrison (R, Palatine) defeated a challenge from Maggie Trevor (D, Rolling Meadows).  This race was a rematch from 2018.

55th Representative District:  Representative Marty Moylan (D, Des Plaines) defeated a challenge from Libertarian Glenn Olofson.

56th Representative District:  Representative Michelle Mussman  (D, Schaumburg) defeated a challenge from Scott Kegarise (R, Schaumburg).

62nd Representative District:  In this race, Representative Sam Yingling (D, Grayslake) barely fended off a challenge from Jim Walsh (R, Round Lake Beach)

63rd Representative District: Representative Steven Reick (R, Woodstock) defeated a challenge from Brian Sager (D, Woodstock).

64th Representative District:  Representative Tom Weber (R, Lake Villa) defeated a challenge from Leslie Armstrong-McLeod (D, Fox Lake).

65th Representative District:  With all precincts reporting, Representative Dan Ugaste (R, Geneva) defeated a challenge from Martha Paschke (D, Geneva).

66th Representative District:  With all precincts reporting, Suzanne Ness (D, Crystal Lake) defeated Representative Allen Skillicorn (R, East Dundee) Madigan spent a lot of money here to barely win against a Representative that didn’t want the job.

67th Representative District:  Representative Maurice West II (D, Rockford) defeated a challenge from Kathie Jo Hansen (R, Rockford)

68th Representative District:  Representative John Cabello (R, Machesney Park) defeated challenger Dave Vella (D, Rockford).

70th Representative District:  Representative Jeff Keicher (R, Sycamore) defeated a challenge from Paul Stoddard (D, DeKalb).

71st Representative District:  Representative Tony McCombie (R, Savanna) defeated a challenge from Joan Padilla (D, Sterling).

72nd Representative District:  Representative Michael Halpin (D, Rock Island) defeated a challenge from Glen Evans Sr. (R, Rock Island).

74th Representative District:  Representative Dan Swanson (R, Alpha) defeated a challenge from Christopher Demink (D, Sherrard)

76th Representative District:  In this race, Representative Lance Yednock (D, Ottawa) fended off a challenge from Travis Breeden (R, Utica). Yednock barely held on to defeat an almost completely unfunded candidate

77th Representative District:  Representative Kathleen Willis (D, Addison) defeated a challenge from Anthony Airdo (R, Melrose Park).

78th Representative District: Representative Camille Lilly (D, Chicago) defeated a challenge from Libertarian Joshua Flynn.

79th Representative District – Open Seat:  Jackie Haas (R, Bourbonnais) defeated Charlene Eads (D, Bradley) to replace Republican Representative Lindsay Parkhurst who did not seek reelection.

80th Representative District:  Representative Anthony DeLuca (D, Chicago Heights) defeated a challenge from Clayton Cleveland (R, Mokena).

81st Representative District:  First-term Anti-Madigan Representative Anne Stava-Murray (D, Naperville) held on to a narrow lead to defeat Laura Hois (R, Downers Grove)

82nd Representative District:  House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R, Western Springs) defeated a challenge from Kassem Moukahal (D, Orland Park).

83rd Representative District:  Representative Barbara Hernadez (D, Aurora) defeated a challenge from Donald Walter (R, Aurora).

85th Representative District – Open Seat:  Dee Avelar (D, Bolingbrook) defeated Ron Doweidt (R, Bolingbrook) and Green Party candidate Anna Schiefelbein to replace Democrat Representative John Connor.

87th Representative District:  Representative Tim Butler (R, Springfield) defeated a challenge from Green Party candidate Gello Sides.

88th Representative District:  Representative Keith Sommer (R, Mackinaw) defeated Karla Bailey-Smith (D, Bloomington) and Libertarian Kenneth Allison.

89th Representative District:  Representative Andrew Chesney (R, Freeport) defeated a challenge from Independent John Cook.

90th Representative District:  Representative Tom Demmer (R, Dixon) defeated a challenge from Seth Wiggins (D, Dixon).

91st Representative District – Open Seat:  Mark Luft (R, Pekin) defeated Josh Grys (D, Pekin) to replace Republican Representative Mike Unes who is not seeking reelection.

92nd Representative District:  Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth (D, Peoria) defeated a challenge from Libertarian Chad Grimm.

93rd Representative District:  Representative Norine Hammond (R, Macomb) defeated a challenge from Scott Stoll (D, Rushville).

94th Representative District:  Representative Randy Frese (R, Paloma) defeated a challenge from Angel Smith (D, Quincy).

95th Representative District:  Representative Avery Bourne (R, Morrisonville) defeated a challenge from Chase Wilhelm (D, Coffeen).

96th Representative District:  Representative Sue Scherer (D, Decatur) defeated a challenge from Charles McGorray (R, Decatur) and Green Party candidate John Keating.

97th Representative District:  Representative Mark Batinick (R,Plainfield) defeated a challenge from Harry Benton (D, Plainfield).

100th Representative District:  Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R, Jacksonville) defeated a challenge from Brandon Adams (Jacksonville) and Pro-Gun/Pro-Life Party candidate Ralph Sides.

102nd Representative District:  Representative Brad Halbrook (R, Shelbyville) defeated a challenge from Mitchell Esslinger (D, Strasburg).

103rd Representative District:  Representative Carol Ammons (D, Urbana) defeated a challenge from Libertarian candidate Brad Bielert.

104th Representative District:  Representative Mike Marron (R, Fithian) defeated a challenge from Cynthia Cunningham (D, Saint Joseph).

105th Representative District:  Representative Dan Brady (R, Bloomington) defeated a challenge from Chemberly Cummings (D, Normal).

107th Representative District:  Representative Blaine Wilhour (R, Beecher City) defeated a challenge from David Seiler (D, Effingham).

108th Representative District:  Representative Charlie Meier (R, Okawville) defeated a challenge from Kacie Weicherding (D, Hoyleton).

109th Representative District – Open Seat:  Adam Niemerg (R, Dieterich) defeated John Spencer (D, Louisville) to replace Republican Representative Darren Bailey who ran for State Senate.

110th Representative District:  Representative Chris Miller (R, Oakland) defeated a challenge from Independent candidate Kody Czerwonka.

111th Representative District:  Amy Elik (R, Alton) defeated Representative Monica Bristow (D, Alton).

112th Representative District:  Representative Katie Stuart (D, Edwardsville) defeated a challenge from Lisa Ciampoli (R, Collinsville).

113th Representative District:  Representative Jay Hoffman (D, Swansea) defeated a challenge from Libertarian Mark Elmore and Constitution Party candidate Ryan Musick.

114th Representative District:  Representative LaToya Greenwood (D, East St. Louis) defeated a challenge from Dave Barnes (R, Belleville).

115th Representative District – Open Seat:  Paul Jacobs (R, Pomona) defeated Green Party candidate Randy Auxier and Libertarian Party candidate Ian Peak to replace Republican Representative Terri Bryant who ran for the State Senate.

116th Representative District:  David Friess (R, Red Bud) defeated Representative Nathan Reitz (D, Steeleville).

Election Wrap-up 2020

Dan Reitz | IOGA Lobbyist

The Fall Veto Session is currently scheduled for November 17-19 and December 1-3, but given the pandemic, lawmakers will most likely only meet for a few days for one week rather than gather in Springfield over two separate weeks. With the rising number of COVID cases in Illinois, it is also possible that the General Assembly could forego the fall session and meet in January prior to the new legislature’s inauguration for a short “lame duck” session. If the General Assembly does convene, the top agenda items will focus on legislation prepared by the Legislative Black Caucus dealing with criminal justice, healthcare disparities, education, and economic opportunities.

Committee Hearings

The Senate has announced a series of committee hearings, all virtual, leading up to the fall session. The hearings align with the Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda for the upcoming fall and spring sessions.

    • November 6 – Healthcare: Diversity in Health Care Workforce and Culturally Competent Health Care
    • November 6 – Economic Development: Equity in Food Access, Agriculture, Cannabis, and Technology
    • November 9 – Healthcare: Policy Recommendations on Health Disparities, Access to Health Care, Behavioral Health, and Diversity in Health Care/Culturally Competent Health Care
    • November 10 – Criminal Justice Reform: Police Licensure
    • November 10 – Economic Development: Diversity in Procurement, BEP and DBE Policies and Labor Unions

The House Special Investigative Committee canceled its meeting this week. Chairman Chris Welch noted that the committee is waiting for documents from ComEd.

Caucus Leaders

Soon after Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady announced he would not seek reelection for the caucus leadership position, the Senate Republicans voted for a new leader, choosing Senator Dan McConchie of Lake Zurich. McConchie pledged to work for balanced budgets, smaller and smarter government, lower taxes, economic reforms, and a world-class education system. Senator Sue Rezin was named Deputy Leader. Brady’s announcement hints that he could consider a statewide run, possibly governor, in 2022. Senator Brady will continue serving in the Senate.

Representative Stephanie Kifowit of Aurora previously announced she would challenge House Speaker Michael Madigan for his leadership position. Representative Maurice West joined a few other Representatives in announcing that he would not be voting for Madigan as Speaker. Given the perception of several Democrat losses tied to Madigan’s ethics questions, the Speaker could face a challenge to his leadership in January. Madigan needs 60 votes of the likely 72 Democratic Representatives to remain Speaker.  I would expect Madigan to garner the 60 votes to remain Speaker.

US Senator Dick Durbin publicly blamed the ethics controversies surrounding House Speaker Mike Madigan for the Democrat losses this week, which included Kilbride’s failed Supreme Court retention, Betsy Londrigan’s defeat to Congressman Rodney Davis, the graduated tax amendment, and several House and Senate races in Illinois. Durbin said Democrats “paid a heavy price for the speaker’s chairmanship of the Democratic party” and that “his presence as chairman of our party is not helping.” Many pundits assumed that Madigan would win as many as 8 to 10 seats and gain the largest majority in recent history. Instead, House Republicans are in contention to have won 4 seats over versus the Democrats’ 2.

Governor Pritzker, when asked by the media if he agreed with Senator Durbin that the Democrat party needs new leadership, replied, “yes.” US Senator Tammy Duckworth has publicly said Madigan should no longer be House Speaker. Madigan responded by saying he looks forward to “continuing our fight for working families as chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.”

On the House Republican side, Representative Tony McCombie of Savanna reached out to colleagues for support as House Republican Leader, challenging Leader Jim Durkin, saying that the caucus wants change. Durkin says he has already secured the majority of votes. McCombie had been leader of the House Republican Organization for campaigns.

The Senate increased its Democratic majority by one, 41 D/18 R.

The House Republicans currently have a net gain of two seats, 72 D/46 R.

Both Democrat caucuses still have a supermajority.

Campaign Update:

Continuing with its 32-year streak in voting Democratic in presidential elections, Illinois supported Joe Biden for President of the United States over Donald Trump by a margin of 55%-45%.  Illinois voters also re-elected Democratic U.S. Senator Richard Durbin to a sixth term over token Republican opposition.  However, other than these two statewide races, Republicans consolidated their hold over rural, downstate Illinois and recouped some of their losses in 2018.  Republicans will pick up a Congressional seat (challenger Oberweiss is leading incumbent Underwood. Illinois House Republicans will pick up 2 seats. The current make-up of the Illinois House is 74D-44R. Illinois Senate Democrats will extend their super majority to 41-18, with the pick-up of the Oberweiss seat by Representative Villa (D).  In Illinois’ only Supreme Court race, Republican David Overstreet defeated democrat Judy Cates to replace retiring 5th District Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier (R).  The 3rd District voted not to retain Democratic Justice Thomas Kilbride.  The statewide ballot initiative to amend the Illinois Constitution to allow for a graduated income tax failed by a vote of 45% of those voting on the question in favor to 55% opposed, setting the stage for a Lame Duck Session income tax increase.  It appears that the ballot initiative could also have had a negative effect on state Democratic legislative races.  None of Illinois’ statewide offices, all held by Democrats, were up for election this year.

Votes are still being counted in a few races. Mail-in ballots postmarked by November 3 can be counted until November 17.

Congress:

13th District– Incumbent Republican Congressman Rodney Davis easily defeated Betsy Londrigan in one of the most hotly contested races in the nation.

14th District-Republican Jim Oberweis may succeed in a very close race against incumbent Lauren Underwood (D), possibly picking up a Congressional seat for the GOP.

Graduated Income Tax

Governor Pritzker blasted the opponents of the graduated income tax proposal following its 45-55% failure, saying they “lied about what would happen if it passed” and left “working people holding the bag,” blaming Republicans for “swearing their allegiance to the wealthiest interest in the state” and throwing “middle class families under the bus.” The graduated income tax was a keystone to Governor Pritzker’s 2018 campaign and necessary for the administration to balance its budget without cutting spending. He is now saying cuts will be “painful,” as much as 15 percent to agencies or legislators will be asked to pass an income tax increase as high as 20 percent increase. The flat income tax rate is now 4.95 percent.

Healthcare advocates are already asking for the administration to protect human services from any budget cuts. The governor had earmarked additional funding that would have been raised by the graduated income tax increase, including $400 million for contributions to the state employee health plan, $42 million for Medicaid provider rate increases, and $40 million for rate increase in the community care program.

The governor is reportedly telling agencies to oppose any bill introduced with a fiscal impact.

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin proposed that the administration begin with a 4 percent across-the-board cut to the state budget as a starting point for addressing the budget deficit.

Supreme Court

Justice Tom Kilbride became the first State Supreme Court Justice to have his retention vote fail, creating a question as to how a new justice is appointed to fill the empty seat. Kilbride’s term will end December 6, 2020. It is questionable as to whether Kilbride as the sitting justice, but whom voters chose not to retain, will have influence as to who replaces him. The Court is now 3 Republican and 3 Democrats. Kilbride’s replacement will tip the Court to either party, an important consideration as the Court will undoubtedly decide whether any new redistricting map is constitutional.

The state constitution requires the Court to appoint an interim justice by a vote of at least four justices until the next election in 2022. If the appointment is made by the Court before December 6, when Kilbride’s term expires, then Democrats, including the Kilbride vote, would have the 4 deciding votes on a successor.

Looking Ahead to Spring Session

Looking ahead to 2021, there are four topics that will dominate the discussion in Springfield.

The first is the political structure of Illinois. Despite still having supermajority Democrat control in both the House and Senate and a Democrat governor for another two years, Republicans were the winners in the 2020 election. They defeated a graduated income tax proposal pushed very hard by Governor Pritzker, they denied retention for a long-serving Democrat Supreme Court justice by tying him to House Speaker Michael Madigan, and they retain a whole bunch of suburban seats that nearly everyone expected Democrats to carry away. Speaker Madigan faces a challenge to his leadership with already one member openly seeking the leadership position and another pledging not to vote for Madigan. The political climate in Illinois is even more geographically divided now with Republicans holding strong downstate and Democrats maintaining the population-heavy Chicago and suburbs. Conversely, Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady has already been replaced with Senate Republican Leader-Elect Dan McConchie. The new General Assembly will be inaugurated on January 20.

The second is the state budget. With the sound defeat of the graduated income tax measure, the state’s dismal finances become even more of a top priority for the Pritzker administration, with Illinois already balancing a budget by borrowing as much as $5 billion from the Federal Reserve and a state economy reeling from the COVID-19 closures. The administration will depend heavily on a potential Biden administration subsidy, need to impose serious spending cuts, and/or possibly seek an income tax increase.

The third is COVID-19 and how the General Assembly convenes its next sessions. The fall Veto Session is tentatively scheduled for November 17-19 and December 1-3, but legislators will most likely forego two separate weeks of traveling to Springfield, and if they decide to have a fall session, will instead meet just a few days before Thanksgiving. That said, leadership could put off a fall session and wait until early January to meet during a “lame duck” session and then following the new inauguration. Depending on COVID-19 cases going into the new year, the session calendar could be condensed from the typical January to June schedule to meeting in committees virtually but not convening in Springfield until March or even April.

And finally, the last, and perhaps most politically hot, is the new district map for the 2022 elections. Essentially, every member just elected this week is now a lame duck moving into the 2022 cycle since each House and Senate District will be redrawn based on census data. The map must be voted on by May 31. With supermajorities in both chambers and a governor, the Democrats have considerable control over drawing districts; however, any map will be challenged in the courts and will eventually be presented to the State Supreme Court. With the Republican win of the 5th Judicial seat and failure of Democrat Justice Tom Kilbride to gain retention in the 3rd Judicial seat, Republicans could now have control 4-3 of the Supreme Court, giving the GOP some measure of play in the map-making process for the first time in decades.

End of Session Report 2020

Dan Reitz | IOGA Lobbyist

The Illinois General Assembly returned to Springfield last week.  The COVID-19 Special Session was scheduled for three days.  Lawmakers returned for a fourth day on Saturday and worked past midnight into Sunday before approving a fiscal year 2021 (FY 21) spending plan.  This was the first-time lawmakers had met since the State’s stay-at-home orders were put in place. The Special Session’s agenda was limited to just seven issues:

  1. COVID-19 pandemic or other disasters;
  2. The State Budget and its implementation;
  3. Economic recovery, infrastructure projects, and funding thereof;
  4. The explanation, arguments for and against, and the form for constitutional amendments as required under the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act;
  5. Laws or authority scheduled to be repealed prior to June 1, 2021;
  6. The 2020 General Election and the State Board of Elections; and
  7. The hospital assessment program.

Budget:  The House and Senate passed a $42.8 Billion budget package.  The plan is not perfect, and the budget is not balanced. The main reason for an unbalanced budget is uncertainty associated with the State’s revenue. Fallout from COVID-19, including business closures, increased unemployment, and changes in consumer spending, make it difficult to predict how much money the State will collect in tax and fee revenues as well as how much federal assistance will be made available to the State.

Legislators’ most important goal was to approve a FY 21 spending plan, but they also had to address several statutes that were set to expire or needed immediate attention and ensure the state was set up to capture federal stimulus dollars. In the end, lawmakers accomplished their goals and will most likely not return to Springfield until veto session in November.  They will then have a better picture of the budget shortfalls and will have to adjust accordingly.

Election code:

The bill requires election authorities to expand public education efforts on the State’s vote by mail process and ease vote by mail application process for many voters. Vote by mail applications will be automatically sent to people who recently registered to vote and to every person who applied to vote in any election since 2018.

Election day will be a school holiday under the bill. While the day is already considered a holiday for most state employees, expanding the status for schools enables empty school buildings to be used as election day polling places.

The bill also calls on local election authorities to appoint panels of election judges to verify the mail in ballots. The panels will be made up of 3 election judges from different political parties. The judges may reject a ballot if 1) all three judges agree the voter’s signature on file does not match the signature submitted with the mail in ballot or 2) if a majority of the judges agree the mail in ballot does not contain a signature, the mail in ballot was opened, the voter already voted, or the voter was not registered in that precinct. If a ballot is rejected, both the voter and the State Board of elections must be notified, and the voter may be given an opportunity to cure the issue.

Election authorities will be required to accept mail in ballots, even if the ballots are returned with insufficient postage, and they may set up secured, ballot drop boxes for voters to leave ballots postage-free.

These changes will only be in place for the remainder of 2020.

Property tax

This bill also provides permissive language for counties choosing to waive penalty fees and interest on some or all late property tax payments.

In counties that have declared a local disaster, eligible property owners that qualified for a homestead exemption for disabled persons, veterans, and senior citizens assessment freeze in tax year 2019 may not be required to file an application in order to receive the exemption for the 2020 taxable year.

In addition, this bill would postpone tax sales and scavenger sales until there is no longer a statewide COVID-19 public health emergency.

Legislative Update May 13th

Dan Reitz | Lobbyist

Illinois lawmakers will return to Springfield next week, May 20th through the 22nd to resume a spring session interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The House will relocate to the Bank of Springfield Center.  All House Democrats are being asked to sign a pledge to follow IDPH precautions when they return. They include getting tested before the session resumes, getting a temperature check on session days, wearing a mask at all times and traveling alone. He asked that all House Republicans also sign the pledge.

The Speaker’s office issued a memo to members advising them of how session will be conducted in a location remote from the Capitol. The Illinois State Police will provide security at the building and only a limited number of the public will be admitted.

Committee hearings will be conducted on the floor. The House clerk will conduct roll call votes when they are required.

The Senate will meet in the Capitol.  The Senate is expected to operate under normal rules.

On Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker said he wanted lawmakers to return to Springfield to act on economic relief measures for the coronavirus pandemic.

“The legislature must convene so that we can begin to put our financial and economic house back in order even as we battle this terrible virus,” he said during his daily briefing. “The General Assembly needs to pass a comprehensive plan to support families, small businesses and small towns.”

He said he wanted increased rent and mortgage assistance for families, grants and loans for small businesses and tax credits for small business job recovery. He also wanted assistance for small cities and towns to help with their first responder costs.

Lawmakers have been involved in working groups for weeks trying to negotiate legislation that absolutely must be passed during the spring session. Foremost among them is approval of a state budget. However, it will be a budget that could lose more than $4 billion of revenue that was anticipated before the pandemic hit, forcing businesses to close and putting people out of work. At the same time, there will be pressure to increase spending on programs to help those who have been hurt by the virus and its effects.

Beyond the budget, lawmakers are pushing to get other bills heard.  It is unclear if the General Assembly will hear any legislation that is not directly related to the pandemic during an abbreviated session.

Restore Illinois

The Governor’s office published this document on May 5, 2020. It outlines a public health approach to safely reopen our state. It is a 5 phase plan.

You can view the document here.