Government Affairs Roundup
“Your Timely Roundup of Local, State, and Federal Updates”
Chamber members:
First things first, a last-minute reminder about our holiday party that starts in about 30 minutes going from 4:30 to 6:30 at the Renaissance Center, 214 N. Ottawa St. in downtown Joliet. No need to rsvp at this point, just head over and join us!
Special thanks to both attorney Scott Cruz and the individuals that were able to join us for our Employment Law Legislative Coffee session last Thursday morning. We learned a ton about the Paid Leave Act, Overtime Threshold, and Joint Employers. For those wanting to catch up on the Paid Leave Act, you can still sign up for a few Dept. of Labor presentations by visiting https://labor.illinois.gov/laws-rules/paidleave.html .
*Government Affairs Roundup brought to you by CITGO & Silver Cross Hospital*
New Legislation Secures Modern Professional Licensing System
The Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has announced HB2394 has been signed into law, which will allow the Department to use a competitive, expedited process to identify and implement a new professional licensing system. This process is the result of legislation sponsored by Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton and Rep. Bob Morgan passed by the General Assembly in November to equip IDFPR with the means to provide Illinois with a new, online licensing system as soon as possible.
“This new law will move us one step closer to streamlining the state’s licensure process to help connect residents with good jobs and alleviate workforce shortages across our communities,” said Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “By providing IDFPR with this support, we will help promote an effective and streamlined licensure process for all Illinoisans.”
“I applaud this bill, which provides real solutions to a real problem, and does so in a timely manner to serve the people of Illinois,” said Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield). “This collaboration between Governor Pritzker’s Administration and the General Assembly shows government does work. Together, we will build a professional licensing system that models best practices and meets the modern needs of our State.”
As required by HB2394, the new licensing software must be able to process initial license applications and renewal fees, along with the issuance of licenses to qualified applicants. This winter, a solicitation will be published in Bidbuy, the State of Illinois’ eProcurement system, where vendors may submit their licensing system proposals. IDFPR will also publish a list in BidBuy of all questions received by prospective vendors, along with answers from the Department. Prospective vendors will then have through the date listed in the published solicitation to submit their proposals. IDFPR will then evaluate proposals and schedule demonstrations of the licensing systems with eligible vendors. Thereafter, IDFPR will evaluate the demonstrations, submit a request for final offers to the vendors, and utilize a final ranking of the vendors to identify and select the new licensing system.
“This process – the result of collaborative efforts between IDFPR, lawmakers, and stakeholders – will ensure we set the gold standard nationally for professional licensing here in Illinois,” said IDFPR Secretary Mario Treto, Jr. “We are eager and prepared to take these steps in securing the solution the hardworking people across the Land of Lincoln deserve.”
The above steps will be completed within the 90-day window that begins with the signing of HB2394 into law. After the 90-day period concludes, IDFPR will have another 90-day period to begin implementing the new online licensing system on its website, idfpr.illinois.gov. IDFPR anticipates adding the professions and licensees it oversees to the new licensing system in stages, eventually ensuring that every application and fee payment will be available online and the user experience will provide applicants with more insight into the status of their application or renewal.
Governor Pritzker signs measure allowing new small-scale nuclear tech in Illinois
Governor J.B. Pritzker has endorsed House Bill 2473, permitting the limited advancement of novel nuclear power generation technology in the state. This measure, effective from June 1, 2024, does not greenlight new extensive power generation facilities akin to the existing six operational plants in the state. Instead, it facilitates the development of smaller-scale emerging technology.
Since 1987, the state has imposed a moratorium on constructing new nuclear power facilities until the federal government designates a long-term disposal site for nuclear waste—an event that has yet to transpire. While the new law sets a start date in 2024, the complexities of obtaining federal permits mean the earliest implementation of a nuclear project in Illinois would likely occur in the 2030s.
HB 2473 establishes a regulatory framework for constructing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), capping their capacity at 300 megawatts—approximately one-third the size of the smallest existing nuclear power plant in Illinois. Additionally, it mandates a state-conducted study to guide rules for regulating SMRs, with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency expected to adopt these regulations by January 2026.
Supporters argue that this legislation is a crucial step as Illinois endeavors to reduce reliance on carbon-emitting power sources over the next two decades. However, opponents contend that it diverts attention from Illinois’ pursuit of 100 percent renewable energy and endorses unproven technology.
The bill received bipartisan backing in the Senate (44-7) and the House (98-8) during the fall veto session, with opposition primarily from Democrats. Governor Pritzker, after vetoing an earlier version, facilitated the compromise’s legislative passage.
Proponents foresee the potential for enhanced electric grid reliability in Illinois as the state increasingly relies on intermittent technologies like wind and solar. Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) sponsored the bill in the Senate, emphasizing the prospect of developing SMRs at former coal plant sites to avoid building new transmission lines, although this process may span many years.
David Kraft, a vocal nuclear energy critic and head of the Chicago-based Nuclear Energy Information Service, expressed concerns about the untested nature of SMR technology, citing the absence of commercial SMR installations in the United States.
While 11 states, including Illinois, currently have nuclear construction bans to varying degrees, a trend of repealing or weakening these bans has emerged since 2016. Some states lifting bans aim to embrace SMR technology.
However, the leading U.S. player in the industry, NuScale Power, recently faced setbacks, canceling its “Carbon Free Power Project” in Utah. Despite this, the company remains committed to its other ongoing projects at different regulatory stages.
Senator Rezin anticipates that Illinois and other states reversing their construction bans will spur nuclear energy development in the United States. Governor Pritzker signed the bill without issuing a statement, alongside 15 others following the November fall veto session, including a measure mandating the state’s exclusive purchase of “zero-emission vehicles” after January 1, 2030, with exemptions for law enforcement and certain vehicles for the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Illinois awarded more than $95 million to improve passenger rail throughout the state
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that Illinois has received $95.1 million from the Federal Railroad Administration to invest in passenger rail, highlighted by almost $94 million to improve and modernize Chicago’s Union Station.
“At the heart of the Midwest, Illinois sits in the center of our nation – serving as a major transportation hub for passengers and businesses alike,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “Thanks to my administration’s landmark Rebuild Illinois capital plan, we’ve been hard at work to modernize our state’s railways and train stations – and now, with a federal investment of nearly $94 million, Illinois is well on its way to creating the most robust, accessible, and connected railroad system in the country. I’m grateful to IDOT, the Federal Railroad Administration, and the Biden Administration for coming together to help us realize our vision of a brighter future.”
Amtrak and IDOT have been awarded two grants totaling $93.6 million under a federal-state partnership to deliver key components of the Chicago Hub Improvement Program, a portfolio of projects that will improve rail service and operations in Chicago and throughout the Midwest. In addition to making Union Station more accessible to riders with disabilities, the grants will renovate the building’s outdated ventilation system as well as repurpose, renovate and expand station platforms to increase capacity for the nearly 120,000 riders that use Amtrak and Metra trains daily.
Also, under the FRA’s new Corridor Identification and Development Program, IDOT was awarded $1.5 million in planning funds for three state-supported rail corridors: Chicago to Carbondale, Chicago to St. Louis and Chicago to Quad Cities. The grants will support efforts to develop a scope, schedule and cost estimate for enhancing and expanding service, making each route eligible for future federal funding opportunities for construction and implementation. The city of Peoria also received a $500,000 grant from the program for proposed passenger service to Chicago.
“Passenger rail is one key component of a multimodal transportation system that makes Illinois the transportation hub of North America,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Under the leadership of Gov. Pritzker, IDOT has been a leader in making service more reliable and accessible. These grants will provide a better customer experience for all riders who use Union Station and set the stage for even more federal investment to grow passenger rail throughout Illinois and the Midwest.”
The FRA grants, courtesy of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, strengthen the state’s passenger rail network, one of the most robust in the country. Partnering with Amtrak, Illinois offers four daily round trips between Chicago and St. Louis, two daily round trips between Chicago and Carbondale and two daily round trips between Chicago and Quincy, serving a total of 28 cities.
Through Gov. Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, IDOT has been leading efforts to enhance passenger rail statewide, with more than $1 billion identified to expand and improve rail across the state, including $275 million to return passenger service to Rockford, $225 million to restore it to the Quad Cities, $100 million to improve safety and reliability on Amtrak’s Illini/Saluki service between Chicago and Carbondale, and $492 million to invest in modernizing operations in northeastern Illinois through the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency program.
Other Bills Signed by Governor
SB 1699, Energy Omnibus was signed into law. This bill makes changes to the Adjustable Block Grant program, requires IPA to conduct a policy study, includes trailer language for the renewable energy project siting bill, requires a thermal energy network workshop by ICC.
SB 1769, Gov’t. Zero Emissions Vehicles was signed into law. This bill, as amended, provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning on January 1, 2030, all passenger vehicles, except law enforcement vehicles, purchased or leased by a governmental unit must either be a manufactured zero-emissions vehicle or a converted zero-emissions vehicle. Provides that “passenger vehicle” does not include vehicles purchased by the Department of Transportation as part of their consolidated vehicle procurement program.
Illinois Back to Business New Business Grant Program (B2B NewBiz)
Illinois B2B NewBiz will provide financial relief to businesses that started during the pandemic in the industries most impacted by the pandemic. Businesses that started during the pandemic have not been eligible for state grants and most federal emergency support provided for emergency relief to small businesses thus far.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a grant award under Illinois B2B NewBiz, for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations must meet all the criteria listed below:
- Started operations between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021.
- Had gross receipts of at least $25,000 and up to $20,000,000 in 2021 (annualized if started during 2021).
- Currently active operations in Illinois.
- Have not received a Back to Business (B2B) grant prior to 2023.
- Business Interruption Grant (BIG), Back to Business (B2B) Grant issued prior to 2023, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), or Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grant (RRF).
- Must meet one of the following two criteria:
- The business or nonprofit is in a priority industry as defined for the previous Back to Business program
- A list of priority industries and their definitions can be found here.
- The business is majority owned by an individual or individuals that became eligible for and received unemployment insurance benefits – including from Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) – between March 13, 2020, and the date the business began operations.
- The business or nonprofit is in a priority industry as defined for the previous Back to Business program
Application Window Opens: November 30, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. CT.
Application Window Closes: January 11, 2024, at 11:59:59 p.m. CT.
Full information and forms can be found at https://b2bnewbiz.com/
Stay well,
Mike Paone
Executive Vice President
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry
mpaone@jolietchamber.com
815.727.5371 main
815.727.5373 direct