Colin Dalough is the Director, Government Affairs and Business Development for the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce
Welcome to the inaugural NACC Government Affairs Roundup. In an effort to keep you informed and up to date, we will be publishing this bi-weekly roundup of the governmental action that may affect your business. Whether it’s Washington, Springfield, or Naperville we are advocating for your interests, but we can’t do it alone. We hope to maintain an open conversation, and our new Director of Government Affairs, Colin Dalough, is anxious to hear your feedback. If you don’t like a bill that was proposed in Springfield, let us know. Did you hear about a law the city is passing that will affect your business? Please contact us. As an organization, we are Member focused and will always advocate for our Members’ interests first.
The biggest news of the past week was undoubtedly the breakthrough in the Illinois budget impasse. In case you missed it, Governor Rauner and leaders of the General Assembly reached a compromise with SB2047 to fund human services, higher education, and government services for six months. Meanwhile, K-12 districts received a full twelve months of funding at the same level or greater than they received in FY16. This stopgap budget was less than the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors had called for, but it does provide significant relief for much needed services.
The compromise came along with SB2822, which passed both houses, but has not been signed by the governor. It provides Chicago Public Schools $205 million in additional funds for their pension system, but will be held to accompany a supposed pension reform deal expected in January. The governor expressed support for Senate President Cullerton’s “consideration plan,” but there is some question as the constitutionality and practicality of that compromise. Without anything concrete yet, it is difficult to evaluate the pension reform plan. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and report back if there is further activity.
Still, the budget stopgap was not the only action to come out of Springfield this past week. The General Assembly passed SB2562, which grants authority to the Chicago mayor and city council to create tax increment finance, TIF, districts to upgrade and repair CTA blue, red, and purple lines as well as extend the red line. The governor is expected to sign the bill as part of the budget compromise.
In addition, the governor signed SB10 extending the pilot program for medical marijuana use for two and a half years. The governor has vetoed similar bills previously, and has recently refused to expand the program, but a Cook County judge ordered the state to add post traumatic stress disorder to the eligible disorders. This was also reported to be part of the budget compromise.
Locally, the Naperville City Council is not in session for Tuesday, July 5, 2016. For July and August they will meet on the third Tuesday of the month. Landscaping hours of operation have been a discussion this season, though no official position has been proposed from City Council yet. What do you think? Should our member businesses be able to begin operation at 7am or should the City Council limit the hours of operation? Send your feedback to our new Director of Government Affairs, Colin Dalough.
Welcome to the inaugural NACC Government Affairs Roundup. In an effort to keep you informed and up to date, we will be publishing this bi-weekly roundup of the governmental action that may affect your business. Whether it’s Washington, Springfield, or Naperville we are advocating for your interests, but we can’t do it alone. We hope to maintain an open conversation, and our new Director of Government Affairs, Colin Dalough, is anxious to hear your feedback. If you don’t like a bill that was proposed in Springfield, let us know. Did you hear about a law the city is passing that will affect your business? Please contact us. As an organization, we are Member focused and will always advocate for our Members’ interests first.
The biggest news of the past week was undoubtedly the breakthrough in the Illinois budget impasse. In case you missed it, Governor Rauner and leaders of the General Assembly reached a compromise with SB2047 to fund human services, higher education, and government services for six months. Meanwhile, K-12 districts received a full twelve months of funding at the same level or greater than they received in FY16. This stopgap budget was less than the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors had called for, but it does provide significant relief for much needed services.
The compromise came along with SB2822, which passed both houses, but has not been signed by the governor. It provides Chicago Public Schools $205 million in additional funds for their pension system, but will be held to accompany a supposed pension reform deal expected in January. The governor expressed support for Senate President Cullerton’s “consideration plan,” but there is some question as the constitutionality and practicality of that compromise. Without anything concrete yet, it is difficult to evaluate the pension reform plan. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and report back if there is further activity.
Still, the budget stopgap was not the only action to come out of Springfield this past week. The General Assembly passed SB2562, which grants authority to the Chicago mayor and city council to create tax increment finance, TIF, districts to upgrade and repair CTA blue, red, and purple lines as well as extend the red line. The governor is expected to sign the bill as part of the budget compromise.
In addition, the governor signed SB10 extending the pilot program for medical marijuana use for two and a half years. The governor has vetoed similar bills previously, and has recently refused to expand the program, but a Cook County judge ordered the state to add post traumatic stress disorder to the eligible disorders. This was also reported to be part of the budget compromise.
Locally, the Naperville City Council is not in session for Tuesday, July 5, 2016. For July and August they will meet on the third Tuesday of the month. Landscaping hours of operation have been a discussion this season, though no official position has been proposed from City Council yet. What do you think? Should our member businesses be able to begin operation at 7am or should the City Council limit the hours of operation? Send your feedback to our new Director of Government Affairs, Colin Dalough.
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