Government Affairs Roundup
“Your Timely Roundup of Local, State, and Federal Updates”
Chamber members:
Good to be back with a roundup after a week off on vacation. A good amount of information to share here today with recaps of action that has gone on.
Congratulations to all those that successfully ran a campaign in the election yesterday. Equal congrats to those that had the courage to run, but were unsuccessful.
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Chamber Day 2025 Recap: Legislative Leaders Address Attendees
On Wednesday, March 19, the Illinois Chamber hosted its eighth annual Chamber Day in Springfield. It was a great crowd matched with plenty of informative programming and meaningful visits at the capitol. A handful of members from our Joliet Chamber government affairs committee attended and later held meetings with our local state Senators and Representatives.
The agenda for the day was highlighted by the leaders of the House and Senate: House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Senate President Don Harmon, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, and Senate Minority Leader John Curran.
During the program, each of the legislative leaders made notable remarks to the attendees. As Senate President Harmon delivered his speech, he made the following commitment. “At one point, we looked at what the financial impact would be if we extended the sales tax to all services — something that will never happen!”
President Harmon also spoke of the importance for fiscal stability for businesses, the state impact of recent federal policy shifts, and the need to shelve political drama. We are also thankful that President Harmon said he will work with the business community on any good ideas.
Harmon added that passing a “responsible, balanced budget” is the most important thing the General Assembly can do. He said that he and his caucus are taking the Governor seriously on his guidance that any new spending be matched by commensurate cuts.
During a Q&A session with the Illinois Chamber’s Keith Wheeler, Speaker Welch said there is an appetite for gaming and energy omnibus legislation but that it was “too early” in the Spring to know what that might mean.
Republican Leaders, John Curran and Tony McCombie, provided valuable remarks as well. The Leaders expressed their continued willingness to work with the business community and their colleagues across the aisle on growing Illinois jobs and attracting new businesses. Leader Curran spoke of the incredible assets held by the State and the need for policy to not interfere with economic progress. Leader McCombie highlighted beneficial proposals introduced by her caucus and her willingness to work with the majority to deliver results.
There was also a conversation with Attorney General Kwame Raoul who was also incredibly insightful. The Attorney General shared updates on his continued efforts on Organized Retail Theft; expressed a strong willingness to continue increasing collaboration with law enforcement, including newly-elected Cook County State’s Attorney O’Neill Burke, and offered that he strives to balance both the consumer protection/worker protection of the public and business interests.
Chamber Day Transportation Panel Recap
As part of Chamber Day programming, we were thankful to witness a transportation panel featuring Senate Transportation Chairman Ram Villivalam and Republican Spokesman Don DeWitte. Moderated by Illinois Chamber President & CEO, Lou Sandoval, the discussion centered on public transit reform and the financial challenges facing the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) region.
Chairman Villivalam highlighted that over 30 hours of Senate Transportation testimony have already been conducted on mass transit, and he expects legislative action on the issue this spring. He emphasized that public transit reform is a bipartisan priority, with no major organizations opposing investment in the system. However, he stressed that governance, service quality, and safety must be addressed before determining funding sources.
Senate Transportation Spokesman Don DeWitte compared the current mass transit discussion to the 2019 Rebuild Illinois capital plan. While acknowledging the differences between these transportation initiatives, he suggested that this could be the most significant infrastructure package since the capital program’s passage.
Senator DeWitte also underscored the importance of balance in the governance structure, advocating for equitable representation in board voting to ensure suburban voices are considered.
A key topic during the discussion was why mass transit remains underutilized in the RTA region. Chairman Villivalam referenced Germany’s transit system, arguing that car ownership isn’t the primary barrier. Instead, he stressed that when a system is safe, reliable, and accessible, riders will choose public transit.
This engaging panel provided valuable insights into the future of mass transit and the steps needed to ensure a sustainable, effective transportation system for the region.
Tip Credit Elimination Bill Passes After Heated and Unexpected Consideration
A bill that we have been heavily involved with over the last couple of years received a surprise vote recently. HB 2982, the so-called “One Fair Wage” bill, would phase out by July 1, 2027 the tipped wage credit/allowance for employers of employees that are engaged in an occupation in which gratuities are customarily part of the employee’s compensation (i.e., the bar, restaurant, and hospitality sectors). Although advocates pushing the initiative provided a revised amendment last night to create a partial credit for operators, the proposal continued to eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers, include new penalties on employers that violated the new changes in law, and would make Illinois an outlier nationally.
The Committee hearing was fiery—with members of the Committee largely challenging the assertions being made by proponents of the bill. Our chamber is opposed to the legislation and will continue joining in the efforts to prevent the bill from advancing any further.
Governor Vetoes Warehouse Worker Transparency Bill, Citing Legal and Operational Concerns
In a rare move, Governor JB Pritzker vetoed a bill on March 21 that aimed to provide Illinois warehouse workers with greater transparency regarding their job performance quotas. While signing 16 other bills into law from the General Assembly’s January “lame duck” session, Pritzker rejected House Bill 2547, citing rushed passage and concerns over its legal and operational implications.
The proposed legislation sought to ensure that warehouse employees receive a written explanation of their quotas, including the number of tasks required and the time allotted for completion. It also aimed to protect workers from being penalized for taking bathroom, meal, or rest breaks. Additionally, employees would have been granted the right to sue employers for violations.
However, Pritzker’s veto letter to lawmakers highlighted the bill’s lack of clarity on which workers would be covered, as well as the absence of a clearly defined enforcement mechanism. Although the bill included civil penalties for violations, the governor argued that the vague language posed potential risks for legal disputes and inconsistent application.
“In this tight budget year and amid uncertain federal funding, it’s essential that new labor laws are clearly defined and enforceable to avoid legal challenges,” Pritzker stated.
While Governor Pritzker has rarely issued vetoes during his tenure, the bill passed the Illinois House with strong bipartisan support—79 votes, surpassing the 71 needed to override a veto. However, the bill’s future in the Senate remains uncertain. It initially passed with 35 votes, just shy of the 36 required for an override.
Despite his veto, Pritzker emphasized his commitment to worker safety. He has directed the Illinois Department of Labor to collaborate with stakeholders to develop a plan addressing concerns over warehouse quotas and workplace conditions. Additionally, he has called for the creation of a rapid-response enforcement team to investigate workplace violations, including unsafe conditions and inadequate break times.
The bill had strong backing from labor unions. Union representatives shared testimonies from non-unionized warehouse workers who feared that taking bathroom breaks could cost them their jobs. On the other hand, business groups opposed the bill, echoing Pritzker’s concerns about its broad definitions and potential legal challenges. As lawmakers weigh a possible veto override, the debate over worker protections in Illinois warehouses is far from over.
Community College Degree Proposal Hits Roadblock in House Committee
Governor JB Pritzker’s push to expand community colleges’ role in higher education stalled this week as a key House committee opted not to advance a bill authorizing two-year schools to offer select four-year bachelor’s degree programs.
The bill, House Bill 3717, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl (D-Northbrook), was not called for a vote in the House Higher Education Committee ahead of a key legislative deadline. However, committee chair Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) downplayed concerns that the measure is completely off the table for this session. “I don’t think around here anything’s really ever dead, and I think there’s a path forward,” Stuart told reporters following Wednesday’s hearing.
Governor Pritzker first introduced the idea in his February State of the State address, framing it as a way to provide more affordable and accessible higher education options—especially for students in regions without nearby four-year universities.
Under the bill, community colleges would be permitted to offer bachelor’s degrees in certain high-demand fields, but only if their board of trustees can demonstrate that the program addresses an unmet workforce need and that the school has the resources and student interest to sustain it.
However, opposition from public and private four-year universities has slowed progress. Some institutions, particularly Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) and Chicago State University, worry the change could divert students from their existing programs, duplicating efforts and straining already limited funding.
Following the committee hearing, a coalition of university presidents issued a statement cautioning against potential unintended consequences.
“We are concerned the legislation could lead to duplicating efforts and increasing costs at a time of limited resources,” the statement read. However, the group also signaled a willingness to work toward a compromise, adding, “We are encouraged by negotiations and remain committed to working collaboratively to build a higher education ecosystem that serves all of our students and employers.”
Despite the delay, discussions remain ongoing. Governor Pritzker’s office expressed optimism that an agreement could be reached before the end of the legislative session. “It’s March, and plenty of time remains in session to achieve that goal,” said press secretary Alex Gough. “He (Pritzker) looks forward to continuing discussions with lawmakers in both chambers and other stakeholders throughout the rest of the legislative session.”
Illinois Trade Mission to Mexico Amid Rising U.S.-Mexico Trade Tensions
Governor JB Pritzker, alongside a delegation of business and government leaders, visited Mexico for a four-day trade mission aimed at strengthening economic ties with Illinois’ third-largest trading partner. The trip, running from Sunday through Wednesday, follows previous trade missions to Japan, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
While past missions have centered on high-tech industries such as quantum computing and electric vehicles, this visit will focus on agriculture, food processing, finance, and manufacturing. The delegation, composed of 70 members, will engage with business leaders in hopes of attracting future investments in Illinois.
Illinois imports over $19 billion in goods from Mexico annually, including beverages, transportation equipment, and electronics. With trade supporting more than 800,000 jobs in Illinois, officials say the trip is a strategic effort to boost economic opportunities and strengthen commercial partnerships.
“Trade supports over 800,000 jobs in Illinois, and our firm values businesses that support international cooperation and investments that benefit working families at home,” said Martin Cabrera, CEO of Cabrera Capital.
Accompanying Pritzker are Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, their spouses, top state officials, and key business leaders. Additionally, five state lawmakers will take part, underscoring the bipartisan interest in bolstering trade relations with Mexico.
The timing of the trip is significant, as tensions rise between the U.S. and Mexico over trade policies. With discussions of new tariffs looming, Illinois officials see this mission as an opportunity to reinforce economic collaboration despite national-level friction.
This latest trade mission continues Pritzker’s pattern of global engagement. In recent years, he has led economic trips to Canada and Japan, attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and visited Germany to promote Illinois’ manufacturing sector. He also traveled to the U.K. in 2021 for business meetings and attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.
While the trip is primarily focused on business development, it also positions Governor Pritzker on the international stage—an experience often associated with those eyeing higher political ambitions. Though he has not declared any intention to run for national office, the visit adds to his growing foreign policy credentials.
With high-stakes trade negotiations on the horizon, Illinois’ leadership is hoping this mission will not only protect existing economic ties but also open new opportunities for investment in the state.
DCEO Small Business Grants
Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program
Program Details: This program will support small businesses with capital resources that can be used for infrastructure improvements, acquisition of essential equipment, or purchase of new property. Please see attached Program flyer in both English and Spanish, as well as a copy of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NoFO).
Award range: $10,000 – $245,000 per award
Eligible Applicants: Businesses owned by Socially Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) with a maximum of 25 full-time permanent employees OR Very Small Businesses (VSB) with less than 10 employees. Note: Only applicants who are GATA pre-qualified will be eligible for awards under this Program.
Application Deadline: April 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Stay well,
Mike Paone
Executive Vice President
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry
[email protected]
815.727.5371 main
815.727.5373 direct