New Business Legislation Emerges from Illinois Legislative Assembly
Illinois’ 2023 legislative session recently concluded, where several impactful bills were passed, including legislation on port districts, healthcare and employment laws. The Chamber advocated for our businesses, with one of the biggest wins for the QC region being the establishment of the Rock Island Regional Port District.
Here's some of the top legislation we tracked this year that could impact QC businesses.
Talent Attraction and Development
Medicaid Expansion: A long overdue Medicaid increase was passed in the final days. Providers will see their first increase in funding since 1995.
Employer Healthcare: In a win for the insurance community, any forms and rates filed for large employer group accident and health insurance shall be automatically deemed approved 90 days after filing protecting small businesses from excessive premium increases on health insurance. The bill has passed both houses and is on track to become law. The Illinois Small Business Advocacy Council's report provides more details on why this is good for small businesses.
Consumer Health Data: This omnibus data privacy bill would’ve amended the Protect Health Data Privacy Act if it had passed. Intended to safeguard the privacy of protected health information, the bill contained language that was too broad, and would’ve gone beyond the original intent of the Act. The Illinois Chamber's fact sheet has more information on why this bill would've been problematic. It will likely be reconsidered with more precise language in the next session.
Rust Belt to Green Belt Act: This bill creates a fund to encourage and facilitate the employment of construction workers located in underrepresented populations. In addition, the bill provides that the Illinois Power Agency shall procure at least 700,000 renewable energy credits, delivered annually for at least 20 years, from one new utility-scale offshore wind project. The bill also declares that the Agency shall conduct at least one new utility-scale offshore wind procurement within 360 days after the effective date of the act. Since this bill was not passed this year, it will be an issue that the Senate takes on in the next spring session.
Freelance Worker Protection Act: This bill requires that, except as otherwise provided by law, a freelance worker shall be paid the contracted compensation amount on or before the date the compensation is due under the terms of the contract. If the contract does not specify when the hiring party must pay the contracted compensation or the mechanism by which the date will be determined, compensation shall be due no later than 30 days after the completion of the freelance worker's services under the contract. This bill passed both houses and is expected to become law.
Business and Economic Growth
Environmental Permits: This bill is an initiative to assist businesses in obtaining environmental permits for large-scale projects. This tool should help spur economic development statewide, creating an online permitting portal for new and existing environmental permit applicants with a qualified investment of $20 million or greater. The bill passed both houses and awaits the Governor’s signature.
Procurement Omnibus Bill: This bill is a result of many proposals throughout the spring session coming together into a 195-page bill that eliminates the sunset of single-prime procurement for the capital development board and some limitations of use, increases the gross sales cap for Veteran Owned Businesses from $75,000,000 to $150,000,000 for firms in the VOSB program, expands P3 for Transportation Act to include any responsible public entity instead of just transportation agencies and much more. HB 2878 passed both houses with plenty of support and is on track to become law.
Placemaking and Place Management
Rock Island Port District: Perhaps the most consequential piece of Quad Cities legislation, this bill establishes the Rock Island Regional Port District within the corporate limits of the city of Rock Island. It provides that territory of adjacent municipalities may be annexed into the Port District; contains provisions related to the operation of the Port District; rights and powers of the Port District and participating municipalities; lease of property, easements and permits; bonds and tax levies; eminent domain powers; and other provisions. The bill limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. This bill passed both houses and is awaiting the Governor's signature.
Environmental Justice: This bill was proposed by environmental activists and considered in the Illinois House. While there is an understanding that environmental justice measures are needed, this bill does not consider the economic health of a region, its businesses nor its residents. The Quad Cities Chamber is part of a business coalition, which consists of the Illinois Chamber, Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group (IERG) and other associations, which put forward a different bill, SB 852 to take on the issue of environmental justice with a more community-minded approach. This will be further debated in the next legislative session.
Packaging and Paper Products Stewardship Act: This bill creates the Packaging and Paper Products Stewardship Act. Industries were originally opposed due to the onerous requirements placed on manufacturers of paper products and packaging. This bill originally would have mandated a producer-funded recycling program across the state. The bill was later pared down, in an amendment, to require the State to conduct a statewide recycling needs assessment. This bill has been passed by both houses and awaits a decision from the Governor.
The Second Session of the 90th General Assembly will convene on January 8, 2024. Any legislation that was introduced but did not pass this year will be eligible for consideration at the beginning of next year.
