Government Affairs Roundup
“Your Timely Roundup of Local, State, and Federal Updates”
Chamber members:
The Illinois House and Senate both returned on Tuesday, April 29th to full action. The next deadline to watch is May 9th, when House bills must advance out of Senate Committees and Senate bills must advance out of House Committees.
*Government Affairs Roundup brought to you by CITGO*
REAL ID Deadline is Near
Starting May 7, 2025, anyone over 18 years old will be required to present a REAL ID, or another acceptable form of identification, like a valid U.S. passport, to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities or military bases. Implementing REAL ID standards nationwide was pushed back for years, but it is now taking effect.
You do NOT need a REAL ID in order to drive, vote, enter state-owned buildings, or enter federal buildings that do not require REAL IDs.
REAL IDs are a post-9/11 initiative aimed at improving security at their required locations. They require additional documentation to obtain and incorporate features that make them more difficult to counterfeit. They look just like past driver’s licenses, but have the addition of a yellow star in the top right-hand corner.
If you are planning on flying on a plane or entering a secure federal building or military base after May 7 and you do not have a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification, you may want to schedule an appointment to obtain your REAL ID. Secure federal facilities and military bases have the authority to set their own identification requirements, so be sure to verify requirements prior to your visit.
The Illinois Secretary of State website has been overwhelmed with requests for REAL IDs due to the approaching deadline. Before booking an appointment or visiting a facility, confirm whether you actually need a REAL ID. Remember, May 7 is NOT a final deadline, and anyone with a valid U.S. passport can still travel.
You can schedule an appointment at your local DMV HERE. You can also find walk-in DMV locations open on Saturdays where you can obtain a REAL ID without an appointment HERE. Make sure you complete the REAL ID document checklist before arriving at the DMV.
Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Eliminate Age Cap on Earned Income Tax Credit
As Congress prepares the 2025 federal budget package, lawmakers are pushing forward bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by removing its current age restrictions.
The proposed bill, introduced by Representatives Mike Carey (R-Ohio) and Danny Davis (D-Ill.), would allow workers over the age of 65 to qualify for the EITC. Under existing rules, eligibility is limited to individuals between the ages of 25 and 65.
“America’s workforce has changed since the EITC was established in 1975,” said Carey. “Many Americans are working longer, and a rising retirement age should be reflected in the program. Certain Americans should not be prevented from accessing critical tax provisions because of their age.”
The proposal has received endorsements from several worker advocacy groups, including Golden State Opportunity and the Critical Labor Coalition. Misty Chally of the CLC emphasized the bill’s potential to address labor shortages, saying it “encourages those with experience and a strong work ethic to reenter the workforce at a time when employers need them the most.”
However, not everyone is convinced. Some tax policy experts have voiced concern over the financial implications of expanding a program that is already largely composed of government spending. The EITC is considered 95% outlays, raising questions about the fiscal impact as Congress considers extending costly Trump-era tax policies.
Adam Michel, director of tax policy studies at the Cato Institute, cautioned against the expansion. “The EITC is usually described as creating an incentive to work,” he said, “however, as the credit phases out, it also disincentivizes additional work hours and the pursuit of higher-paying jobs. Rather than expanding the credit, Congress should repeal it in favor of lower tax rates for everyone.”
As the budget debate continues, the future of the EITC—and who qualifies for it—remains a key issue in discussions over tax reform and workforce policy.
Attorney General’s Challenge Trump Tariffs as Legal Questions Mount
A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging former President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs, arguing the administration overstepped its authority and imposed what amounts to an unconstitutional tax hike on American consumers.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade, includes attorneys general from New York, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont. It contends that Trump’s tariffs, announced as part of a broader “reciprocal trade” policy, lack the statutory backing required by Congress and impose broad economic burdens without legislative approval.
“This is not about politics — it’s about preserving the constitutional balance of power,” said Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes. “No president, Republican or Democrat, should have the unchecked authority to impose taxes on Americans under the guise of national emergency.”
The tariffs — a 10% universal import tax, with some rates exceeding 145% for Chinese goods — were unveiled earlier this month as part of what Trump called “Liberation Day.” While the administration has since paused implementation for 90 days, some sectors are already feeling the impact, with port traffic slowing and trade tensions rising.
Mayes warned that the economic consequences are already evident: “Freight traffic through the Port of Los Angeles has dropped, prices on essential goods are climbing, and tourism is suffering.”
White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended the policy, emphasizing national security concerns. “The Trump Administration is committed to confronting the dual threats of fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration, as well as correcting a decades-long trade imbalance,” he said. “The tariffs are a necessary tool in that fight.”
Though the legal challenge comes from Democratic officials, constitutional scholars from across the political spectrum have raised concerns about the president’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act — a 1970s law designed for extraordinary foreign threats — to justify economic actions on this scale.
“This lawsuit opens an important debate about the limits of executive power,” said Michael Tanner, a senior fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute. “Even if one supports the tariffs in principle, using emergency authority to bypass Congress sets a precedent that should concern all Americans, regardless of party.”
Trump is the first president to impose tariffs using this particular statute, a move that has already drawn criticism from conservative economists wary of broad executive overreach. Legal experts predict that the outcome of the case could have long-term implications for presidential authority in trade matters.
Earlier this week, the Court of International Trade declined a separate request from five small businesses for an emergency injunction, stating that they had not demonstrated immediate, irreparable harm. The full legal battle, however, is expected to unfold over many months — potentially stretching beyond the 90-day tariff delay, which expires in early July.
As the case moves forward, it represents a rare convergence of bipartisan concern over unchecked presidential power, even amid deep political divides over trade and economic policy.
Illinois Chamber Urges Mass Transit Reforms Ahead of Funding Decisions
With a looming budget crisis threatening Illinois’ mass transit systems, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is urging state lawmakers to implement key reforms before allocating additional funding.
In a newly released report, the chamber outlines a series of business-oriented principles aimed at overhauling the state’s transit agencies. The recommendations emphasize improved efficiency, stronger public safety measures, and greater involvement from the business community in shaping transit policy.
“One obvious principle is making agencies more efficient,” said Chamber President and CEO Lou Sandoval. “We should identify opportunities to consolidate services—something as simple as merging IT vendors is low-hanging fruit.”
Despite mounting financial pressure, transit agency leaders in the Chicago area have pushed back on consolidation proposals. Instead, they are requesting $1.5 billion in new funding to address operational shortfalls. Without significant intervention, the combined agencies—Metra, Pace, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA)—face a projected budget gap of over $770 million by 2026.
In Springfield, lawmakers are considering a proposal to create a new oversight body, the Metropolitan Mobility Authority, which would oversee the major transit agencies. Supporters say the new agency could help streamline operations and improve governance across the region’s fragmented transit network.
Governor J.B. Pritzker stressed that any mass transit strategy must serve the entire state, not just Chicago and its suburbs. “Whatever we do with regard to transit, there has to be a component that focuses on downstate transit,” Pritzker said Tuesday at an event in Jacksonville. “That’s something I’ve been pushing very hard—it can’t just be about Chicago and the surrounding areas.”
Sandoval emphasized that a reliable, safe, modern, and efficient transit system is essential to Illinois’ economic vitality. “The Illinois Chamber’s guidance offers a balanced, forward-thinking approach to ensuring our transit systems remain sustainable and capable of meeting the needs of Illinois businesses, workers, and the working families they support for years to come,” he said.
Illinois Lawmakers Propose Silent Panic Alarms in Schools to Boost Emergency Response
Illinois may soon join a growing number of states mandating silent panic alarms in public schools—a measure aimed at improving emergency response and protecting students during school crises.
The proposed legislation, backed by state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr (D-Naperville), would require the Illinois State Board of Education to begin contracting for mobile panic alert systems by fiscal year 2026. These systems would allow school staff to instantly notify law enforcement in the event of an emergency.
“It ensures that schools have mobile panic alert systems allowing staff to instantly notify law enforcement when every second counts,” said Yang Rohr.
The legislation is modeled after Alyssa’s Law, first passed in New Jersey in 2020 and named in memory of Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old student who was killed in the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Since then, six other states have adopted similar laws, and 13 more are considering related measures.
While cost estimates for Illinois have not yet been provided, a recent example in Florida saw one school district approve a five-year, $3.8 million contract with a vendor for wearable panic buttons.
State Rep. Will Davis (D-Hazel Crest) acknowledged the financial burden but emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety. “What we’re talking about today does cost money, but at the end of the day, I think all of us as parents are all about student safety,” he said. “We should be doing everything possible to make sure that our children are safe.”
Though similar efforts have gained traction at the state level across the U.S., attempts to pass Alyssa’s Law at the federal level have so far failed to advance.
“Even as we send our children to school every single day, there are moments when we have to confront the reality and think the unthinkable, asking ourselves if and hoping that our children will come home from school safe,” Yang Rohr said.
If enacted, Illinois would become the next state to formalize a statewide requirement for school emergency alert systems, further advancing a national movement focused on proactive school safety.
Bills of Note:
SB 1441, Secure Choice Program passed House Personnel & Pensions 8-4-0. This bill provides that the accounts established under the Secure Choice Savings Program shall be IRAs, into which enrollees contribute funds that are invested in investment options established by the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Board. Provides that a separate account shall be established for each enrollee and the accounts shall be owned by the enrollee. Provides that the savings accounts established under the Program shall be portable and allow for an enrollee to make contributions from multiple employers into a single account. Provides that an enrollee in the Program may have both a Roth IRA and a Traditional IRA through the Program. Provides that an employer who fails without reasonable cause to enroll an employee in the Program within the time provided and fails to remit their contributions shall be subject to a penalty. Provides that, following initial enrollment, employers shall enroll new employees as soon as practicable, but no later than 120 days after the employee is first employed by the employer.
SB1288 Food Handling-Training
This bill requires food handlers to complete a training program on celiac disease and the safe handling of gluten-free food. It unanimously passed the Senate (56-0-0) and now heads to the House.
SB1422 Human Trafficking Recognition
Anyone who works at a lodging establishment, restaurant, or truck stop who has recurring interactions with the public will be required to complete human trafficking recognition within six months of being hired and every two years after. This bill unanimously passed the Senate (55-0-0) and the House Immigration & Human Rights Committee (11-0-0).
SB1950 Sanitary Food Preparation
Any meal kit or ready-to-eat meal distribution facility that engages in the collection, storage, packaging, or distribution of meal kits direct to consumers is now subject to the Sanitary Food Preparation Act. It passed the senate 54-1-0 and now heads to the House.
The Future of Transportation in Will County — Share Your Thoughts!
Will County is nearing completion of Our Way Forward 2050, a long-range transportation plan that will shape infrastructure investments and priorities through 2050. A draft plan will be released soon, and they want to hear what you think!
Save the date for a public open house near you to learn more and share your feedback:
- Romeoville | May 27, 5–7 PM | The Ovation Center
- New Lenox | May 29, 5–7 PM | Village Hall Community Room
- Monee | June 5, 5–7 PM | Firemen’s Park Building & Pavilion
The open houses will offer a summary of the draft project and policy recommendations and an opportunity to speak directly with the project team.
Visit OurWayWill.co to sign up for email updates and be notified when the draft plan is posted!
Stay well,
Mike Paone
Executive Vice President
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry
[email protected]
815.727.5371 main
815.727.5373 direct