Illinois Chamber Updates

March 14, 2019

Highlights from Today:

SENATE
Today the Senate Commerce and Economic Development Committee held a subject matter on SB 76 (Castro). This bill would require domestic or foreign corporate boards to have females on their board of directors. The Chamber opposes this bill on the grounds of Springfield inserting itself in the decision making of corporate board of directors.

HB 345 (Lilly/Morrison) passed the Senate today 39-16-1. This bill would increase in minimum purchasing age for tobacco products from 18 to 21. The Chamber opposed this legislation. It now heads to the Governor's desk.

SB 1852 (Curran) passed out of the Senate Environment Committee 9-0-0. This bill provides that in the event of an ethylene oxide leak a facility shall issue a notice to all affected property owners and local government within 2,500 feet of the leak site. The Chamber opposes this bill.

SB 1854 (Curran) passed the Senate Environment Committee today 7-2-0. This bill provides that beginning on the effective date of the bill no facility shall have fugitive emissions of ethylene oxide above zero. Provides that each facility shall be subject to regular and frequent inspections and testing to ensure that no fugitive emissions of ethylene oxide exist. The Chamber opposes this bill.

SB 2020 (Steans) creates the Inter-Agency Report on Decarbonization and Economic Opportunities Act. Requires various state agencies to work jointly to design a broad-based policy approach, including specific programs, to decarbonize Illinois' electric sector (including energy production and consumption) in a just and equitable way that puts our State on track to phase out polluting power plants by 2030 and create new economic opportunities across the State. The Chamber has concerns with the overall goal of decarbonization by 2030. We are working with the sponsor to provide language to the bill.

SB 222 (Castro) passed out of the Senate Commerce and Economic Opportunity Committee 8-2-0. This bill provides that it is an unlawful practice to offer to consumers at retail a rebate made on a rebate card that charges dormancy fees or other post-issuance fees.

SB 241 (Holmes) passed out of the Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously. This bill provides that it is unlawful for a manufacturer to import for profit, sell, or offer for sale in this State any cosmetic, if the cosmetic was developed or manufactured using an animal test that was conducted or contracted by the manufacturer, or any supplier of the manufacturer, on or after January 1, 2020. The Chamber has no position on the bill.

HOUSE
SB 1596 (Sims/Hoffman) passed the House today 70-40-1.
SB 1596 amends the Worker's Compensation Act and the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act to provide that specified Sections under the Acts limiting recovery do not apply to injuries or death resulting from an occupational disease as to which the recovery of compensation benefits under the Act would be precluded due to the operation of any period of repose or repose provision. Provides that, as to any such injury occupational disease, the employee, the employee's heirs, and any person having the standing under law to bring a civil action at law has the nonwaivable right to bring such an action against any employer or employers. The Chamber is opposed.

The House Revenue Committee held an impromptu subject matter hearing on Rep. Mary Flower's proposed financial transaction tax. The Chamber is opposed to this proposal.

Rebecca Mason testified before the House Appropriations-Capital committee about the funding needs for waterways and ports. Representatives from transit, rail, and airports also testified.

March 13, 2019

Highlights from Today:

SENATE
SB 1407 (Hastings), passed Senate Executive. The bill creates the Illinois Hazardous Materials Workforce Training Act. The bill would have the effect of requiring all construction and maintenance work at privately owned petroleum refineries and petrochemical facilities within the state to be exclusively performed by members of certain trade unions.

SB 54 (Harmon) passed the Senate Executive Committee 18-0-0. This bill would amend the Liquor Control Act by creating a third-party facilitator license and allowing a retailer to deliver alcoholic liquors to the home or other designated location of a consumer. The Chamber was in support of this legislation.

SB 162 (Holmes) passed the Senate Insurance Committee with the commitment to come back with an amendment. This bill deals with concerning coverage for mammograms, provides that coverage shall also include a diagnostic mammogram when medically necessary, as determined by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant. Makes changes to coverage for a comprehensive ultrasound screening and MRI. The Chamber is opposed as this is one of several insurance mandates that would increase healthcare costs.

HOUSE
SB 1596 (Sims/Hoffman) passed the House Judiciary - Civil Committee 8-4-1. SB 1596 amends the Worker's Compensation Act and the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act to provide that specified Sections under the Acts limiting recovery do not apply to injuries or death resulting from an occupational disease as to which the recovery of compensation benefits under the Act would be precluded due to the operation of any period of repose or repose provision. Provides that, as to any such injury occupational disease, the employee, the employee's heirs, and any person having the standing under law to bring a civil action at law has the nonwaivable right to bring such an action against any employer or employers. The Chamber is opposed.

HB 252 (Guzzaardi/Castro) passed the House today 74-40-0. This bill amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that "employer" includes any person employing one (instead of 15) or more employees within Illinois during 20 or more calendar weeks within the calendar year of or preceding the alleged violation. The Chamber opposes.

HB 834 (Moeller/Castro) passed the House today 86-28-0. This bill Prohibits an employer from seeking the salary, including benefits or other compensation or salary history, of a job applicant from any current or former employer, with some exceptions. The Chamber opposed this bill due to the fact that it would limit defenses for employers.