Colin Dalough is the Director, Government Affairs and Business Development for the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce

Our award-winning schools are coming back in session this week, and there has been a renewed energy around town.  Please go outside, and enjoy the remainder of this weather while it lasts.  Before we know it we will be arguing about the state budget once again while sipping on pumpkin spice lattes.  Here’s what you need to know before we get there.
 
Township
 
The negotiations between the City of Naperville and the Naperville Township over road maintenance took a turn last week.  The Naperville Township accepted a deal with the Lisle Township to provide services through June 30, 2017 and would cost approximately $275,000.
 
So, what effect does this have on the city of Naperville’s offer to provide services?  The answer is still unclear.  The deal between the townships only lasts until June 30, 2017, while the City of Naperville’s offer had been a four-year deal.  The question will still be on the November ballot, though the outcome is non-binding.
 
Nevertheless, the deal is a significant reduction in costs.  The $275,000 contract with the Lisle Township is significantly less than the $533,500 proposed by the city.  Naperville Township Highway Commissioner Stan Wojtasiak is reported as proposing those savings could be passed on to taxpayers through the next property tax levy.
 
Common Sense Immigration Reform
 
The Illinois Business Immigration Coalition and FWD.us hosted a roundtable on commonsense immigration reform on Wednesday, August 10.  U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, Congressman Bob Dold, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, and Illinois Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno all spoke on the need for sensible reforms for the business community.  The speakers cited the contributions to the United States and Illinois’ economy from immigrants while arguing that safety and security will be increased with a reformed immigration policy.
 
A comprehensive immigration reform bill passed the Senate, but never came up for a vote in the House in 2013.  Congressman Diaz-Balart told the crowd that the House still does not “have an appetite” for a large bill so we can expect a number of smaller bills over the coming months.
 
Marijuana Decriminalization
 
Finally, Governor Rauner signed SB2228, a marijuana decriminalization bill, on July 29.  It is effective immediately and reduces the offense for possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana to a civil penalty of $100 to $200.  Prior to this signing possession of up to 2.5 grams of marijuana was a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail, while possession of 2.5 grams to 10 grams was a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail.
 
Earlier in the month, the Governor also signed a bill that extended the Illinois medical marijuana pilot program for 2 ½ more years.  The revised law also includes post-traumatic stress and terminal illnesses as eligible conditions to be treated.
 
What do you think, is Illinois heading in the direction on marijuana policy?

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 to support the Independent Maps Amendment and the coalition formed to determine fair legislative districts in the state of Illinois.
 
The Independent Maps Amendment is “drafted to support the establishment of a non-partisan, independent commission responsible for drawing state legislative districts in a way that is transparent and open to the public.  It would end the current redistricting process controlled by legislators with little public involvement,” as stated by the Support Independent Maps organization (http://www.mapamendment.org/index.html).
 
In 2014, a similar initiative was brought before the state, but ultimately was not presented to the voters in the state of Illinois.  The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce supported that initiative at that time, and is pleased to support the resurgence of the Independent Maps organization at this time, as well.
 
“The gerrymandering that takes place after each census, no matter which political party holds the majority, must stop,” said Legislative Committee Chair Rosemarie Breske Garvey.  “The voters of Illinois deserve better, and the Chamber fully supports a fair, transparent process that ensures redistricting favors the hard-working residents of Illinois, and not a political interest.”
 
According to Nicki Anderson, President/CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce,  “The Naperville Area Chamber’s Legislative Committee has a reputation of providing education for the benefit of the regional business community on issues that impact the business climate.  Legislative Committee meetings are open to both Chamber members and the business community at large on the second Monday of each month.”  More information about the Chamber’s legislative efforts can be found at www.naperville.net.

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted unanimously on Tuesday, March 22 to support the cost sharing proposal for services between the City of Naperville and the Naperville Township Highway Department. The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce has supported Governor Rauner’s Task Force on Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates and this effort by the City of Naperville and Naperville Township continues to move us in the right direction.
 
“The Chamber is a pro-business organization, and more efficient services are critical to a strong business climate and community.  We look forward to this initiative moving forward and are certainly pleased to see our City leaders blaze the trail for government consolidation in the state of Illinois,” said Rosemarie Breske Garvey, Legislative Chair for the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.
 
According to information provided by the City Manager, Doug Krieger, this cost sharing effort will deliver road district services at a fraction of the current cost and provide savings to tax payers. Further, this initiative will balance the financial responsibilities of both incorporated and unincorporated Naperville residents, as it currently stands, incorporated residents bare the brunt of current services for unincorporated residents.
 
“Our focus is on doing what makes the most sense for taxpayers. Ultimately, thoughtful cost sharing efforts are necessary and create a more positive effect on our residents as well as our business community,” said Nicki Anderson, President and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.
 
If this cost sharing effort moves forward, the two governing bodies would be one of the first in the state of Illinois to act on the principles of the report by the consolidation task force. The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce looks forward to the progress of this worthwhile effort. 

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors met on Friday, June 10 to discuss the budget impasse. Since that time, the General Assembly has not met once, and all focus is on passing a potential stopgap budget. The Board of Directors reiterates the need for a complete and balanced budget for the state of Illinois.  Continued inaction, or half action, would contribute to the unstable and insecure fiscal environment and puts our local schools and businesses at further risk.

“From our review of the bills that were submitted to the floor of the General Assembly, although
worthy in many aspects, there are still a number of businesses, non-profit organizations, and
educational institutions who stand to be left without a budget plan from the state on many issues
that are critical to their organizations,” said Colin Dalough, Director of Government Affairs and
Business Development.

“One example,” Dalough continued, “is Family Shelter Services which is being hurt by the state’s
inaction. They provide shelter to victims of domestic violence. However, this year they were forced
to turn away 1,300 women at their doors, women that they would have helped under last year’s
funding. These are women in desperate need, often fleeing for their life. The state has failed these
women over the past eleven months of budget impasse and puts the organizations that serve them at further risk with impasse and stopgaps.”

The Board of Directors believes that continued financial uncertainty is damaging to the entire
business climate. “Our mission states, we drive our economy through active engagement and
advocacy for our business community,” said Nicki Anderson, President/CEO of the Naperville
Area Chamber of Commerce. “Therefore, on behalf of our Members we ask that lawmakers from
both sides of the aisle finish the work of the legislative session and pass a complete, balanced budget for our state. We cannot grow our workforce or our economy with continued financial uncertainty.

Colin Dalough is the Director, Government Affairs and Business Development for the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce

It’s understandable if you’re already feeling political fatigue.  There has been a lot to digest over the past couple weeks.  The Naperville City Council is considering a pair of important issues that could dramatically affect local businesses.  Meanwhile, the state has followed months of stalling on a budget with a flurry of activity on end of session bills as well as a legal fight over redistricting.  And of course, in primetime we have been glued to our televisions with the Republican and then the Democratic National Conventions.  But hang in there, because there are important issues for you and your business.  Let’s break it down.

Locally, there are two important issues in front of City Council we have been tracking closely.  The first is the proposal from the Housing Advisory Commission, or HAC, to define “Legal Source of Income,” within the Naperville Code.  If you’re not familiar with this issue you’re not alone.  It’s complex and technical and the open comment periods have not drawn the level of feedback it deserves.

Essentially, under current law landlords may accept Section 8 vouchers voluntarily, but the HAC would like to mandate that all landlords must accept Section 8 vouchers explicitly as a “legal source of income.”  This would have the effect of forcing landlords to contract with the state with a significant loss to their property rights, but would expand fair housing opportunities in Naperville significantly.

The issue was put before the City Council on July 19 for a First Reading.  No vote was taken and the issue will be readdressed in October.  In the meantime, we would like to hear your feedback.  Do you have a rental property, how would the proposal affect you?  Please contact me, Colin Dalough with any questions and comments, cdalough@naperville.net.  We are especially interested to hear your feedback on this issue.

Secondly, the City Council will consider potential restrictions to landscapers’ hours of operations within city limits.  The Planning and Zoning Commission considered the issue on July 20, and voted unanimously to keep the current law as is.  The issue will now go before the City Council though no date has been confirmed.

Statewide, there was important movement on the Independent Map Amendment and SB2531.  For those unfamiliar, the Independent Map Amendment is a voter referendum that would create a new process for drawing district maps in Illinois.  The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce supports this initiative as it takes the power to draw maps out of the hands of those that stand to gain from their manipulation.

The Constitutional Amendment was besieged by a legal challenge however, and the Cook County Circuit Court ruled that the Constitutional Amendment was unconstitutional and could not be placed on the November ballot.  In response, the Illinois Supreme Court granted a motion for a direct appeal meaning that there will likely be an Illinois Supreme Court decision before November.  There will be more on this before it’s over, stay tuned.

Governor Rauner also vetoed SB2531, a bill that sought to change the makeup of economic development councils, public private partnerships, and other nonprofits.  It would mandate two members of a labor council on nonprofit boards if the organization receives any public money.  The General Assembly passed the law at the end of the legislative session and the Governor vetoed the bill on July 29.  The bill will now go back to the General Assembly for a potential veto override.  There will be undoubtedly more to come on SB2531.

Speaking of the General Assembly, there will be a new Representative for the 81st District, as Republican Ron Sandack resigned abruptly on July 24.  The Illinois GOP has named David Olsen, a Village Council commissioner from Downers Grove, as the replacement.  Olsen will be sworn in this week and will run for reelection against fellow Downers Grove Village Council commissioner Greg Hose.

Finally, I have been struck by the national conversation regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership.  The trade deal has been vilified at both national conventions.  Though some portions of the deal have been leaked, the full text has not been made public.  Still, both political parties have received critical grassroots outrage from their base.  What are your thoughts, is TPP good for America?