Government Affairs Roundup
“Your Timely Roundup of Local, State, and Federal Updates”
Chamber members:
I hope you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving. It’s budget time locally and Will County has approved their budget for 2025. More information is below on that. I’ll have more information covering the City of Joliet next week. Additionally, some announcements from the state on the new Department of Early Childhood and Department of Financial & Professional Regulation.
Finally, a federal court in Texas once again halted an act that had major impacts on businesses. More below on the Corporate Transparency Act ruling.
*Government Affairs Roundup brought to you by CITGO*
Will County Budget
The 2025 Will County budget emphasizes public safety, with 62% of the operating budget allocated to public safety and judicial operations. Approved at the Nov. 21 County Board meeting, the new fiscal year begins on Dec. 1.
“This budget reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility and shared priorities,” said County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant in a news release. “Public safety remains a top priority for county leadership. We were able to increase funding for safety and community services while maintaining a balanced budget.”
The County Board approved the $832 million budget in an 18-2 vote. The budget comprises $273 million for the corporate fund, which covers general county operations, and $558 million for special-purpose funds, including motor fuel taxes and departmental fees.
“This balanced budget reflects our priorities as county leaders,” said Will County Board Member Mica Freeman (D-Plainfield), Chair of the Public Health and Public Safety Committee. “It underscores our dedication to keeping residents safe and delivering essential services.” Finance Committee Chair Jim Richmond acknowledged the challenges in balancing the budget. “While the levy fell short of my initial expectations, the Board worked diligently to address community needs and ensure fairness,” he said.
The 2025 budget highlights a collaborative effort to balance fiscal responsibility with investments in public safety, community services, and infrastructure, reflecting the county’s long-term priorities.
Key Allocations and Initiatives
- Judicial and Public Safety Positions: Funding has been allocated for 19 new positions, including 13 court security officers. This transition allows deputies currently assigned to court security to focus on patrol and response duties.
- Sheriff’s Department Enhancements: Sheriff Mike Kelley highlighted the significance of the budget, stating it includes the first increase to the detective team since 1976. “This will significantly improve our operations,” he said.
- Capital Improvement Plan: The budget outlines $8.5 million for projects, including $3.5 million to retrofit a county-owned building at 1300 Copperfield in Joliet. This facility will become a unified Veterans Assistance and Support Center, consolidating services for veterans.
- County Website Modernization: A consolidated website project aims to improve transparency and service accessibility. This initiative is funded by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursements for COVID-19 expenses.
Public Safety and Social Services Support
Revenue from the State of Illinois cannabis sales tax will fund several programs:
- $450,000 for a housing stabilization program
- $345,000 for the Children’s Advocacy Center
- $257,000 for the Elevate Will County Child Care Provider Grant
- $225,000 for the Problem-Solving Courts
Corporate Transparency Act Halted
Yesterday, a federal court in Texas issued a nationwide injunction halting the implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act’s (CTA) beneficial ownership reporting requirements. Therefore, unless and until an appellate court overrules or narrows the injunction, no businesses are obligated to comply with the reporting requirements.
Holding that the CTA is likely unconstitutional, the court issued a preliminary injunction barring the government from enforcing the CTA and its reporting requirements against anyone. Prior to the ruling, small businesses that met certain criteria would have had to file reports with the Department of the Treasury by January 1, 2025, or risk fines and criminal penalties.
The preliminary relief will remain in effect until the conclusion of legal proceedings, at which point the court may enter a permanent injunction. In the meantime, the government will likely appeal the preliminary injunction. Unless and until an appellate court overrules or narrows the injunction, no businesses are obligated to comply with the reporting requirements.
Governor Pritzker Appoints Teresa Ramos as First Secretary of Illinois Department of Early Childhood
Governor J.B. Pritzker has announced Teresa Ramos as the first secretary of the newly established Illinois Department of Early Childhood, pending confirmation by the state Senate. Ramos, who currently serves as Illinois’ first assistant deputy governor of education, will assume the role in January if confirmed.
In a press release, Pritzker praised Ramos’ qualifications, stating, “Her expertise across education, childcare, community engagement, and early childhood development make her a leader in her field that I know will lead the new department to success.”
The creation of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood marks a significant milestone in Pritzker’s efforts to prioritize early childhood education. Since his reelection in 2022, Pritzker has expanded funding and resources for early education and childcare through initiatives such as his Smart Start Initiative. The department, proposed in October 2023 and formally established by legislation passed this spring, has been allocated $14 million in the fiscal year 2025 budget to streamline programs and services. It is set to oversee initiatives like early intervention for children with disabilities and the Child Care Assistance Program for low-income families beginning July 1.
Ramos expressed enthusiasm for her new role, stating, “I’m eager to get started working with an incredible team of state employees, parents and families, advocates, and early childhood providers to create something exceptional that will give every infant, toddler, and young child an opportunity for a strong and healthy start.”
Ramos brings extensive experience in early childhood education and advocacy to the position. She has served as the first assistant deputy governor of education under Pritzker since 2022. Previously, she was vice president of public policy, research, and advocacy at Illinois Action for Children, a nonprofit that administers the Child Care Assistance Program in Cook County. Ramos also worked for Advance Illinois, a nonprofit focused on education advocacy, and contributed to Pritzker’s education transition team in 2018.
Currently, Illinois manages childcare and early childhood education programs through the Department of Human Services, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Department of Children and Family Services. The new department aims to centralize and enhance these services to better serve families across the state.
Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation Licensing System
IDFPR has officially launched their new online professional licensing system. The Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment, better known as CORE, is the new online licensing system, for the first set of IDFPR-licensed professionals.
This new online process eliminates the need for paper applications, gives applicants more control over their application materials, and helps prevent deficient applications from being submitted. In addition to creating a streamlined online application process, CORE features a simplified review process for all license applications received by IDFPR.
https://idfpr.illinois.gov/core.html
Study Warns of Potential 70% Increase in Energy Costs Driven by AI and Data Centers
Energy costs in the U.S. could surge by as much as 70% over the next decade unless policymakers intervene, according to a new study by the Jack Kemp Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. The report highlights the growing energy demands of AI technologies, hyperscale data centers, and advanced manufacturing, along with the push toward electrification.
Authored by economists Ike Brannon and Sam Wolf, the study explains that the U.S. power grid, which saw minimal demand growth in the last two decades due to a shift from manufacturing to a service-based economy, is now being pushed to its limits. Data centers alone can consume as much energy as 40,000 homes, significantly increasing the strain on the grid.
This rising demand is depleting the grid’s spare capacity, which serves as a buffer against blackouts during extreme weather or temporary power plant outages. For example, a recent auction by the Mid-Atlantic regional transmission organization PJM revealed a sharp increase in capacity market prices—from $29 to $270 per megawatt-day across the region and from $29 to $444 in parts of Virginia, which hosts over half of the nation’s data centers.
Despite the report’s alarming projection of a 70% cost increase, Aaron Ruby, a spokesperson for Dominion Energy—Virginia’s primary utility—called the claim “way off” for the state. Ruby pointed to Dominion Energy’s 15-year forecast, which predicts residential electric bills will grow by just 2.5% annually, below the national inflation rate. He also noted that Virginia’s rates are currently 14% below the national average.
However, the study’s authors warn that Virginia’s tightly regulated pricing and capacity measures, which have so far insulated residents from data center-driven costs, may no longer suffice. They argue that without changes, consumers could face rising prices and service interruptions.
Other states such as Maryland, Georgia, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, and Arizona may face similar challenges. For instance, Maryland electricity bills are projected to rise by 2% to 24% in 2025, depending on the region.
To mitigate the impact of rising energy costs, the report calls for decisive action from policymakers. Key recommendations include:
- Charging Data Centers Higher Rates: The authors propose that data centers pay fees proportional to their energy usage to relieve the financial burden on households and small businesses.
- Ending Data Center Subsidies: State and local governments should cease offering subsidies for data center construction, as the economic benefits often do not justify the taxpayer cost.
- Introducing Minimum Take Clauses: Utility providers could require data centers to guarantee minimum payments, providing revenue stability regardless of actual energy consumption.
- The authors argue that these measures could help modernize the grid without disproportionately impacting ordinary consumers, emphasizing that AI companies and data centers should bear their fair share of the costs.
As energy demands continue to grow, driven by technological advancements and electrification, balancing affordability and grid reliability will require proactive policymaking. The Jack Kemp Foundation’s study underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges to ensure sustainable energy management in the years ahead.
Stay well,
Mike Paone
Executive Vice President
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry
[email protected]
815.727.5371 main
815.727.5373 direct