Chambers of commerce weigh-in on legislation at the local, state and federal level has historically been toward the conservative side of the aisle.  However, as political parties have polarized in recent years, especially at the federal level, chambers are working more in concert with both sides to find common ground to advocate for a strong business climate. 
 
NACC recently hosted a Business Works event with Democratic Congressman Sean Casten, where he described his political views of that of a “1995 Republican.”   On complicated issues around growing jobs and the economy, single-party solutions are no longer realistic. 
 
A true testament to this shift was reflected in this spring’s Illinois legislative session.  Governor Pritzker is credited with most productive session in years.  Our Governor used playbook tactics from Governor Jim Thompson, a republican known for his ability to gain bi-partisan support on major issues with a then Democratic-controlled legislature.  (Capital Fax, Rich Miller 6.17.19) Pro-business issues were passed with bipartisan support including: repealing the state's franchise tax,  strong employee protections in the legalization of marijuana bill, offering tax incentives for economically lucrative tech data centers and the first meaningful infrastructure bill since 1990, just to mention a few. Not to over romanticize, the business community did have some defeats this session. The graduated income tax amendment to the state constitution received the green light to go the voters and minimum wage increases, were a couple big defeats.  However, like football, it’s a game of inches and we need to acknowledge the bipartisan teamwork involved in our victories.
 
On June 19th NACC will host a Business Works event to give our members an opportunity to hear a bipartisan perspective how your business will be impacted by final decisions of the 101st IL General Assembly.  House Republican Grant Wehrli and Democratic Senator Laura Ellman will share their perspectives on the results of this history-making General Assembly session. Click here for more information about the event and to register: https://napervilleilcoc.wliinc23.com/events/Business-Works-After-the-Dust-Settles-How-Will-the-2019-Illinois-Legislative-Session-Impact-Your-Business-12740/details

In a surprise Memorial Day Illinois House of Representative debate and vote, the Graduated Income Tax legislation SJRCA 1 passed.  Now, voters get to decide in November if they want to change Illinois Constitutional amendment to allow income tax to be graduated based on the income.  The companion bill (SB 687) provides language that would set the specific rates for the tax has not yet reached a House vote.  We will keep you posted on this bill.   

We are strongly opposed to adopting a graduated income tax due to this being a potential bridge to higher taxes regardless of the rates stated in initial legislation like SB687.  Removing the protection of a flat (predictable) tax rate can cause businesses to be less likely to invest in Illinois or expand their current operations here.

In addition, it would allow multiple taxation on same dollar earned and make certain industries vulnerable to additional tax rates as the need for additional tax dollars grow in future years. For small business owners, who currently report earnings through a schedule on their personal income taxes, could find themselves in a higher tax bracket paying significantly higher taxes which could deter innovative new businesses from launching in Illinois.  Click here for more details.

As always, your chamber continues to keep their eye on policy that impacts your business!

The clock is ticking with only a few days left in the 101st IL General Assembly session.  Here are some key bills we are watching:
 
Graduated Income Tax-
 SJRCA 1 would allow an amendment to our state’s constitutional to allow a graduated income tax in the state. (SB 687) provides language that would set the rates for the tax. Both bills passed the Senate.  Two House Democrats have expressed reservations, and they need 71 votes to pass the House.  Momentum seems to be slowing.  Even if it does pass the House, it will require a majority public vote on this November’s ballot. Click here for an IL Chamber video explaining more details on this issue.
 
Legalized Recreational Marijuana
The legislation, (SB 7), would allow adults 21 and older to legally buy cannabis for recreational use from licensed dispensaries. The measure also would automatically expunge some marijuana convictions. If it passes, Illinois would join 10 other states, including neighboring Michigan, in legalizing recreational marijuana. Our IL Chamber is in communication with lawmakers to allow employers to still operate in drug free workplaces and pushing for local control to give municipalities the right to prohibit retail sales.
 
DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau Hotel Tax- NACC stands Opposed
 A “movement” of sorts in underway to add an additional hotel tax on DuPage County hotels, exclusively, to raise millions of dollars for a membership organization, the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau, exclusively. Not yet in a current legislative bill, we are on alert to this initiative being weaved into a fast-moving shell bill prior to end of the session. We feel our local CVBs are doing an excellent job of driving tourism in our region without additional tax revenues, and these local entities would not be eligible for these additional funds.  Further, this additional tax will place undue burden on local businesses who bring in conference attendees and business travelers of all types to our area. In opposition, NACC has joined forces with the Greater Oak Brook Chamber, Chamber 630, Naperville Development Partnership and many local municipalities including the Naperville Mayor and City Council. Click Here for a Daily Herald article about this new tax threat.  We will keep you posted!
 
Please contact me if you would like more information about NACC’s advocacy efforts or if you would like to be more involved.   Reba Osborne, Director of Government Affairs and Business Development, (630) 544-3387 or rosoborne@naperville.net.
 
 

Do you know who you’re voting for? More importantly, do you know why you’re voting for that person? Will they represent your business and your goals for Naperville?
 
We know these are important questions in the coming weeks so we recently hosted a forum with every candidate for Naperville Mayor and Naperville City Council. However, we threw out the old rulebook and broke down what we wanted to accomplish.
 
We wanted to create an environment where real conversations could flourish, where business owners and Members could look candidates in the eye and hear answers to their most pressing questions. We know there is a tremendous amount of value in a more formal setting, but there are great groups in town that are producing those events and producing them very well.
 
So, our newly formed Business Works group created a speed networking event, where each candidate had five minutes at each table before they had to jump to the next group. It’s amazing what you can do in five minutes when you focus your message!
 
We’re very thankful for the candidates who took time out of their day to join us and talk with Members about the issues that matter most. We’re also thankful to all the participants who asked thoughtful questions and took the time to listen to the candidates. We received a lot of great feedback from both candidates and participants that really enjoyed the event.
 
If you weren’t able to attend, we have a great announcement for you! Naperville Community Television, NCTV17, was present on the day and recorded a session with each candidate. Meet the Candidates will give you the inside information on who’s running and what they stand for. We hope you’ll take the time to learn more about your neighbors seeking public office.
 
https://www.nctv17.com/decision-2019-meet-the-candidates/ 
 
 
Around Naperville
Downtown Streetscape Improvements
Naperville City Council approved a plan that could create a special service area to update some downtown streets. Some sidewalks could be widened, old water infrastructure improved, and a much needed refresh could be coming to much of Downtown Naperville.
 
Springfield
Graduated Income Tax
Implementing a graduated income tax was a key part of the Governor Pritzker’s campaign and the issue has heated up in Springfield. There still are not specifics on rates or increases. Meanwhile some lawmakers have signed on to a resolution which asks lawmakers to reduce the tax burden on businesses and residents.

Illinois Governor JB promised a new day in Springfield during his inauguration speech on Jan 14. While recognizing that there are serious challenges ahead, he proclaimed that everything is not “broken”.
 
It won’t be easy, but let’s confront this challenge with honesty. Our obligations as a state outmatch our resources. Our fiscal situation right now is challenging. And the solution requires a collective commitment to embracing hard choices.
 
I sincerely hope that the sentiment expressed in that speech holds true. Our fiscal situation is staggeringly bad but will only deteriorate if we continue to view the challenge as myopic partisans. We also know that business growth will only help alleviate the budgetary challenges and that we have some catch up to do with our neighbors who have been outpacing us in recent years.
 
However, as I have become fond of repeating in recent weeks, “the details matter.” And the details of the Governor’s budget include a lot of grand promises. In his budget address on February 20, he proposed to extend the pension ramp, legalize and tax marijuana, expand gambling, as well as institute a new tax health insurance tax on managed care organizations among many others.
 
Any one of these proposals is a major change for Illinois and should be considered fully before enacted. There is a tremendous sense of urgency but also a necessity to get the details right. I hope the Governor’s words remain true in practice.
 
Undoubtedly all of you will bring your own priorities, ideas, and concerns to the budget process. I welcome that conversation – that’s as it should be. We are all here, Democrats and Republicans, with the common desire to serve the people of our state well. And we do that better when we talk to each other, and more importantly, listen to each other.
 
Around Naperville
Hemp Ordinance
Naperville City Council passed an ordinance change on February 19 that aligned the Naperville City Code with recent changes to state law on hemp. The change specifically excludes hemp and hemp derived products from the definition of cannabis so long as they have a de minimus amount of THC. The NACC was in support of this change as it helps clear up the law regarding CBD and other non-hallucinogenic hemp products for retailers.
 
 
Springfield
$15 Minimum Wage by 2025
The Governor signed SB1 into law on Feb. 19. The law raises the minimum wage to $9.25 per hour on Jan. 1, 2020. It continues to raise the wage with yearly increases to $15 per hour by 2025. Employees who are under 18 top out at $13 per hour and a tax incentive is included for smaller businesses. Finally, the 60/40 tax split is maintained for tipped workers.