U.S. CHAMBER & ILLINOIS CHAMBER  
PUSH FOR LEGAL REFORM  
 
On Oct. 10, President of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform Lisa Rickard and Illinois Chamber President Todd Maisch called on state lawmakers to join the movement for legal reform and pass legislation to improve Illinois' reputation from having a bad legal climate. A survey released recently by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform ranks Illinois' lawsuit climate 48th worst in the nation, which is why Illinois needs to stand up against Illinois' current abusive lawsuit environment. 
 
CHAMBER CALLS FOR FEDERAL TAX REFORM   
 
The Illinois Chamber's Tax Institute members and Executive Director Keith Staats have been dedicated to federal tax reform since it is seen as an opportunity to enhance Illinois' global competitiveness. The Crain's Chicago Business piece on Oct. 18 encompasses the Illinois Chamber of Commerce's call on Illinois policymakers for federal tax reform and specific issues Illinois needs most from the plan.   Read entire article here

ADVOCATES STEP UP FIRST WEEK
OF VETO SESSION       

 Illinois Chamber President and CEO Todd Maisch kicked off the first week of veto session with the Two-Minute Drill  Watch here highlighting current issues in the Legislature. The Chamber advocated against fake workers' compensation legislation (HB 2622) that was defeated. Minimum Wage legislation (SB 81) and the Geolocation Privacy Act (HB 3449), which the Chamber has aggressively advocated against, were not called for a vote.

Additionally, the Illinois Chamber weighed in on the Right to Work bill (SB 1905) stating that real workers' compensation reform, property tax caps and smart investment tax policies might make right to work unnecessary. Given that none of those have been enacted, stripping communities' of their ability to decide for themselves if right to work is right for them would have been yet another discouraging development of the state. The bill failed to pass out of the House.   
DON'T STRANGLE THE TECH INDUSTRY IN ILLINOIS
   
Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Maisch called on policymakers on Oct. 22 to advocate against HB 3449 and to stand up for Illinois' tech industry. Illinois needs jobs and economic growth, not policies that hinder opportunity in key industries for the state. House Bill 3449, the Geolocation Privacy Act, is merely a solution looking for a problem. The bill did not get called in the first half of veto session and the Illinois Chamber will continue to push back against further attempts at over regulation.
  
CHAMBER HOSTS CONGRESSMAN DAVIS           

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce was happy to host the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition's discussion on DACA with Congressman Rodney Davis (IL-13) (pictured fourth from left). Thanks to Congressman Davis for his engagement!

 
CONGRESSMAN KINZINGER ADDRESSES  
CHAMBER ENERGY COUNCIL

On Oct. 20, Congressman Kinzinger (IL-16) touched on activities before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and the recent DOE action on the Grid Report released in July. The congressman also discussed the subsequent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to FERC directing them to complete price formation rules to compensate baseload coal and nuclear generators for their resilience. 
CHAMBER JOINS ROUNDTABLE WITH WAYS & MEANS
TAX POLICY CHAIRMAN PETER ROSKAM     
          
Chamber advocates Ben Brockschmidt and Keith Staats met with Ways & Means Tax Policy Chairman Peter Roskam (pictured left at head of table), Chamber members, and local chambers to discuss the federal tax reform issues that would affect Illinois businesses.

Federal tax reform is a once-in-a generation opportunity to strengthen the global competitiveness of Illinois businesses. Now Illinois policymakers have the chance to successfully advocate for the state by pursuing and defending pro-growth policies that are best for our job creators and economy.
IN THE NEWS

In the month of October, we spoke to radio, television, and print media outlets, delivering pro-business values to audiences across Illinois.
 
Illinois and Governor Rauner
* Rauner vetoes bill that would prevent local 'right-to-work' zones
* Rauner loses big on right-to-work veto
* Illinois House panel approves bump stock ban; Senate overrides Rauner veto
* Rauner looks to Washington for the power to change pension benefits

Tax Reform
* Taxed in Haste
* What Illinois needs most from federal tax reform

Illinois Economy
* Guest View: Illinois' lawsuit climate is yet another weight on its economy
* Illinois loses Toyota/Mazda factory
* Illinois will not get 4,000-job Toyota and Mazda factory
* Guest view: Don't strangle tech industry in Illinois
* While Illinois Courts Amazon, Privacy litigation threatens tech firms, Illinois employers
* Capitol Connection: Chamber of Commerce President Todd Maisch talks about Governor Rauner's trip overseas
* Yesterday's corporate blackmail is today's deal sweetener

 




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