Government Affairs Roundup
“Your Timely Roundup of Local, State, and Federal Updates”
Chamber members:
Your government affairs roundup is back in your email inbox after a week off in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. Our office is looking forward to our June member breakfast tomorrow morning with Senator Ventura, Senator Loughran Cappel, Representative Walsh Jr., Representative Avelar, and Representative Benton. We’ll be discussing the recently signed state budget and a number of other topics.
*Government Affairs Roundup brought to you by CITGO*
Joliet City Council Approves Companies for Comprehensive Plan
The City of Joliet has finally approved two companies to perform the city’s comprehensive plan, laying the groundwork for future development in the next ten years. Joliet has not completed a long-term comprehensive plan for nearly six decades. Such plans are usually performed every 10 years.
Lamar Johnson Collaborative and Urban3 were chosen following an almost two-year process. A comprehensive plan is a visioning document or blueprint that guides the choices and civic investments of a community based on the feedback from within that community. The plan will also help Joliet be more strategic in its investments in capital improvements in service to current residents and stakeholders, as well as assist the development of the community and future residents and businesses.
Mayor Terry D’Arcy thanked the council for supporting the initiative and to the staff who spent countless hours bringing the project to the council floor. “This will be our blueprint for the city moving forward,” stated D’Arcy. “It has been in the works for a long time but now we have the opportunity to work together as a community to plan our future.”
The Lamar Johnson Collaborative’s project approach consists of five phases, with each phase including public engagement activities and associated deliverables. Lamar Johnson Collaborative estimates that the project will occur over an 18–24-month timeline.
The project breakdown in five phases:
• Phase 1: Evaluate (project kick-off, project branding, data collection, existing conditions analysis, advisory committee and working group meetings)
• Phase 2: Investigate (key person interviews, community visioning public workshop, key topic area definition and policy framework, advisory committee and working group meetings)
• Phase 3: Enhance (public workshop on key topic areas, advisory committee and working group meetings)
• Phase 4: Empower (preparation of draft plan and preparation of subarea plans, advisory committee and working group meetings)
• Phase 5: Examine (preparation of implementation plan, presentation of final plan, final plan open house)
Based on Joliet’s size (roughly 63 square miles) and the amount of work involved, the cost of the project is estimated at $581,000.00 to be paid over the course of the next three fiscal years.
The second company, Urban3, was also recommended to perform a specialized Economic Analysis as part of the overall comprehensive plan project. This Economic Analysis will evaluate the impact that development has on the city’s finances and infrastructure. This analysis will also enable Joliet to make policy decisions on future developments with the understanding of the overall impacts to the city. Urban3’s fee proposal for an Economic Analysis is $138,768 which will be funded in part by a grant of $75,000 through the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority (JADA).
Finally, the plan includes a variety of meetings to engage the community according to a presentation at Monday’s Pre-Council Meeting by City Planner and Project Manager Jayne Bernhard. “The Lamar Johnson Collaborative proposes a planning project and process that includes a variety of outreach and engagement activities,” explained Bernhard. “They will be meeting residents through a wide variety of meetings including actively engaging those not traditionally involved in the planning process, including youth, students, non‐native English speakers, shift‐workers and more.”
Will County Forest Preserve Board Capital Improvement Program
The Forest Preserve District of Will County Board voted to issue up to $50 million in bonds as part of a five-year capital improvement program. This initiative aims to fund land preservation, trail connections, visitor center improvements, and habitat restoration.
The district plans to allocate $25 million to preserve between 1,000 and 1,250 acres, $12 million for regional and local trail connections and visitor center enhancements, and $13 million to restore about 2,500 acres of habitat and increase biodiversity.
For a homeowner with a property valued at $300,000, the current property tax contribution to the forest preserve district is about $116. Despite the bond issuance, the overall line item for the forest district will decrease due to retiring existing debt. With the new $50 million bond, the tax amount would be about $95, compared to $84 if the bond issue had failed.
The board’s approval of the bond sale passed with a 16-2 vote, with opposition from two Republican board members, Mark Revis of Plainfield and Raquel Mitchell of Bolingbrook. The vote followed public comments where over 100 emails were read, mostly urging the board to oppose the bonds due to concerns about high taxes.
Revis and Mitchell highlighted a poll by M3 Strategies, indicating that 82% of respondents believe addressing property taxes is very or extremely important, and 53% opposed borrowing $50 million. They argued that additional debt is burdensome, especially amid high grocery and gas prices. Mitchell emphasized that even a small increase in costs is significant for some residents.
Supporters of the bond sale, including several board members, emphasized the benefits of preserving open spaces and improving trails. They cited the popularity of these areas and their positive impact on quality of life and mental and physical health.
Planned projects include extending the DuPage River Trail, enhancing the Wolf’s Crossing Road Trail connection, and constructing the Riverview Farmstead loop trail with grants from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The district also plans to complete segments of the Veterans Memorial Trail and renovate the Plum Creek Nature Center in Beecher.
Habitat restoration efforts will target areas such as the Riverview Farmstead, Jackson Creek Preserve, Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, and Plum Valley Ravines. These projects will focus on creating new natural habitats and restoring existing ones by removing invasive species and introducing native plants.
Governor Continues to Work on Quantum Computing Site with Lockport as a Possibility
Governor J.B. Pritzker gave the keynote address recently at the U.S.-Canada Summit, highlighting the state’s robust trade relationship with its northern neighbor. According to his prepared remarks, trade between Canada and Illinois reached $92 billion in 2022, with Illinois’ exports to Canada doubling over the past 15 years and experiencing a 30 percent increase in 2022. Illinois is home to more than 370 Canadian companies that employ over 32,000 residents.
Governor Pritzker noted, “I am here to talk about the next chapter of our relationship,” before addressing his administration’s achievements, including nine credit upgrades in recent years after inheriting a state with significant fiscal challenges.
The governor also promoted Illinois as being “on the precipice of something bigger,” specifically becoming “an undisputed capital for quantum computing.” He pointed out that the state’s fiscal year 2025 budget includes tax incentives and a $500 million investment in infrastructure for a quantum campus, emphasizing the revolutionary potential of quantum technology in industries such as clean energy, artificial intelligence, medicine, and finance.
“Now I won’t bore you with a layman’s explanation of quantum superposition or qubits or quantum entanglement,” Pritzker said. “But know that quantum has the potential to revolutionize entire industries and unlock a world of possibility in clean energy, artificial intelligence, medicine, finance, and much, much more.”
Earlier in the day, Pritzker and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at “attracting trade opportunities and investments for both Illinoisans and Ontarians,” with a focus on manufacturing, energy, agriculture, and automotive industries. The agreement seeks to grow the trade value between the state and province, currently estimated at over $19.5 billion.
Describing himself as Illinois’ chief marketing officer, Pritzker also encouraged the audience to “take a visit to our great state,” inviting them to enjoy Illinois’ natural beauty, incredible food, and warm people. “If you like it, come start a family or build a business in Illinois,” he said.
Prison Closure and Rebuild Plan
For the past two decades, any move by a governor to close a large state-run facility like a prison or mental health center has required a vote by a legislative oversight panel. This changed on Friday when only three lawmakers attended the scheduled vote of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) regarding Governor JB Pritzker’s plans to demolish and rebuild Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill and Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln.
Without a quorum, the 12-member panel could not take an official vote within the legally specified timeline for reviewing facility closures. COGFA’s Democratic co-chair, Sen. Dave Koehler of Peoria, remarked that even if all members had been present, the Pritzker administration’s current plans were too vague for a meaningful vote. “We don’t really know what we’re voting on,” he said.
Despite the lack of a vote, the governor’s office can still proceed with the closure. Historically, the bipartisan panel’s vote has been advisory, and governors have sometimes moved forward with closures despite the panel’s rejection. Since 2005, COGFA has formally registered its positions on nearly three dozen proposed closures, with only a few plans being withdrawn before the scheduled vote.
After Friday’s meeting, Koehler stated that the absence of a vote “doesn’t really change anything.” He expressed support for the concept of replacing crumbling prisons with new state-of-the-art facilities and indicated a willingness to work with the administration once more detailed plans are available.
COGFA’s Republican co-chair, Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer of Murrayville, criticized the Pritzker administration’s approach, describing the current proposal as a “thought bubble” rather than a concrete plan. He accused the governor of either not having a plan or being unwilling to share it publicly, blaming the governor for not collaborating with COGFA.
During an unrelated news conference, Pritzker insisted that the legislature would have significant input despite the absence of an advisory vote from COGFA. He acknowledged that some groups would be “disappointed with whatever the final outcome ultimately will be,” and reiterated that the closure and rebuild plans are still evolving.
IDOC officials testified in front of the legislative panel three times in recent weeks, including at hearings in the prisons’ current host communities. At these hearings, prison employees and local residents expressed their concerns about the closure and rebuild plans. Before both hearings, COGFA members and local state lawmakers toured Stateville and Logan, identified in a 2023 state-commissioned report as having unlivable conditions due to years of deferred maintenance.
Reflecting on the tours, Davidsmeyer urged the Pritzker administration to keep Stateville, a men’s maximum-security prison, open during the rebuild process. IDOC officials have stated that Stateville may close as early as September, while Logan will remain operational during its rebuild.
Logan, a multi-security women’s prison, houses over 1,000 individuals. Formerly incarcerated women testified that relocating Logan to the Stateville site would benefit the 40 percent of residents from the Chicagoland area. However, Logan employees opposed the idea, citing concerns about the impact on individuals in custody and their families.
Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, expressed his dissatisfaction with the process, citing “so many unanswered questions” and describing his disappointment as an understatement. IDOC officials argue that the rebuilds are necessary due to an ongoing class action lawsuit and other court rulings requiring safer facilities. Pritzker’s administration included a $900 million line item for capital improvements at Stateville and Logan in the upcoming fiscal year budget.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union, representing employees at both prisons, agrees that the facilities need to be rebuilt but opposes moving jobs and individuals in custody during the rebuilds. Michael Newman, deputy director of AFSCME Council 31, emphasized the need for a rational and safe approach to the process.
AFSCME claims that about 1,000 workers are directly threatened by the potential closures at both facilities. “We’re not arguing that the state-built facility as it exists now is the right kind of facility for the long-term,” Newman said. “What we’re talking about is how you get from here to there.”
Governor Pritzker Awards $5 Million in B2B Grants for Local Chambers
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) recently awarded $5 million in grant funding to 151 recipients through the Back to Business (B2B) Local Chambers program. B2B Chambers provides additional support for local chambers of commerce that experienced negative economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our growing economy,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That’s why my administration is providing support to local chambers of commerce through the B2B Local Chambers grant program. The 151 grantees announced today will amplify our efforts to help small businesses who may have been overlooked by previous pandemic aid efforts access the necessary marketing and development resources they need to thrive.
Local chambers of commerce play a vital role in supporting businesses in communities across Illinois. The B2B Local Chambers funding will be used by chambers to market and develop localities, provide small businesses with professional development, and more to support small businesses and entrepreneurs while bolstering economic development.
“Local chambers serve as vital advocates and champions for economic growth in our business communities,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “The B2B Local Chambers’ program is investing $5 million to strengthen these organizations’ resilience by providing resources to support entrepreneurs, attract new development, and drive prosperity in every corner of our state.”
As outlined in statute, B2B Local Chambers (20 ILCS 605/605-1105) grant award amounts were determined by total annual revenue declines between 2019 and 2020, as reflected on tax returns. All eligible applicants received a grant as long as the chamber of commerce met eligibility requirements and submitted proper documentation and attestations.
“Through the B2B Local Chambers grant program, the State of Illinois is providing support to dozens of chambers of commerce in communities that were hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Economic development in every corner of the state will continue to grow as local chambers have newfound access to resources to promote marketing and development.”
Eligible chambers of commerce included organizations of businesses and professionals dedicated to improving the economic climate and business development of the community in which they are located that experienced a negative economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible chambers have an annual revenue of $1 million or less.
Since the onset of the pandemic, DCEO has allocated $1.5 billion in pandemic-related support for businesses, including $705 million through B2B and BIG, $899 million in Childcare Restoration Grants (administered in partnership with DHS), $18.5 million in local CURE funding specifically allocated to businesses, $14 million in Emergency Hospitality Grants, and $3.5 million in BIG agriculture grants.
Recurring Business:
Larger Tax Credits Now Available for Hiring of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
The Illinois General Assembly passed, and Governor Pritzker signed into law, a program that will support small businesses, foster opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, improve public safety, and significantly reduce the costs of recidivism.
The new law increases the allowable tax credit available for businesses that hire formerly incarcerated individuals from 5% to 15% of qualified wages and raises the ceiling for these incentives from $1500 to $7500. These funds can be used to transition formerly incarcerated individuals into the workforce and for on-the-job training.
The General Assembly allocated $1,000,000.00 to this program so small businesses interested in supplementing their workforce should start looking into this now!
How To Make Online Shopping Platforms More Accessible
In the past decade, online shopping has surged in popularity, a trend that the pandemic further accelerated. That said, it’s essential to recognize that not all customers are the same. According to the World Bank data, approximately 15% of the world’s population, equivalent to 1 billion people, experience some form of disability. In the United States, a CDC report states that around 25% of adults have a disability. These statistics underscore the importance of making online shopping platforms and digital storefronts accessible to people with disabilities.
Stay well,
Mike Paone
Executive Vice President
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry
mpaone@jolietchamber.com
815.727.5371 main
815.727.5373 direct