Premium Loss Data Reports

Rep. Flowers (D-Chicago)

Creates the Premium and Loss Data Reporting Act to require all insurers to report all information relating to each accident and health coverage type requested.

Prescription Drug Ethical Act

Rep. Franks (D-Woodstock)

Requires every manufacturer and labeler that sells prescription drugs in the State to disclose to the Director of Public Health the value, nature, and purpose of any gift, fee, payment, subsidy, or other economic benefit provided in connection with its pharmaceutical marketers, to any physician, hospital, nursing home, pharmacist, health benefit plan administrator, or any other person in the State authorized to prescribe or dispense prescription drugs.

Health Insurance Tax Credit

Rep. C. Gordon (D-Coal City)

Allows small businesses that provide health care insurance for their employees and their spouses and dependents to claim a tax credit in an amount equal to the cost of providing that insurance.

Various Health Insurance Coverage Mandates

Rep. Flowers (D-Chicago)

Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan must provide coverage for intravenous feeding, prescription nutritional supplements, and physician prescribed or ordered pain medication.

HB0927

SB1877

Wellness Initiatives

Rep. Mautino (D-Spring Valley)/Sen. Kotowski (D-Park Ridge)

Will authorize health plans to provide incentives to enrollees engaged in programs to influence their health behavior.  This is a Chamber initiative.

Position Paper

HB1081

SB1331

Government Healthcare Expansion-Payroll Tax

Rep. Ryg (D-Vernon Hills)/Sen. Koehler (D-Pekin)

Creates the Illinois Family and Employers Health Care Act. Creates the Illinois Guaranteed Option Act to establish a program to make health insurance plans and HMOs affordable and accessible to small employers and individuals. Imposes on employers a tax on the wages paid to Illinois full-time equivalent employees; makes the tax applicable to wages paid on or after January 1, 2010, and requires payment of the tax beginning July 1, 2010.  Similar to former Gov. Blagojevich's Illinois Covered project funded by a new payroll tax imposed on employers.  Full Summary

Insurance Mandate-Surrogates

Rep. C. Gordon (D-Coal City)

Requires an insurer to provide maternity coverage for a gestational surrogate as a dependent for a term that extends throughout the duration of the expected pregnancy and for 8 weeks after the birth of the child.

Health Insurance Fairness

Rep. May (D-Highwood)

Provides that no insurer issuing small group coverage may deny coverage to applicants based on health status. Increases costs by allowing individuals to become unhealthy before they purchase insurance.

Internal/External Appeals-Insurance

Rep. Harris (D-Chicago)

Creates an internal and an independent external appeals process substantially similar to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) model legislation. Current Illinois law only requires an HMO health plan (approximately 15% of the market) to provide an internal or external appeals.

After negotiations we became proponents of the bill. Full Summary

HB4193

High Deductable Insurance Coverage

Rep. Wait (R-Belvidere)

Provides that an individual that purchases a policy of accident and health insurance that is a high deductible health plan with a health savings account may waive coverage for any or all insurance coverage mandates required by the Code.

Hearing Aid Coverage

Rep. Silverstein (D-Chicago)

Requires coverage for hearing instruments and related services for all individuals when a hearing care professional prescribes a hearing instrument. Provides that an insurer shall provide coverage for up to $2,500 per hearing aid per insured's hearing impaired ear subject to certain restrictions.

SB0248

HB3814

Office of Insurance Public Advocate

Sen. Trotter (D-Chicago)/Rep. Davis (D-Chicago)

Creates the Office of Insurance Public Advocate

Workers' Compensation Reform-Fraud

Sen. Righter (R-Mattoon)

Provides that the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission may recall a decision or settlement when fraud has been determined to be committed related to the case. This is a Chamber initiative.   Full Summary

Prevailing Wage-Construction Sites

Sen. Link (D-Chicago)

Provides that to determine the prevailing wage rate for a laborer, worker, or mechanic engaged in the transportation of aggregate or excavated materials or the operation of equipment to haul aggregate or excavated materials to or from the site of the building or construction job, the Department of Labor shall take into consideration the applicable prevailing wage rate and the Illinois Department of Transportation's current method of establishing equipment rates.

Insurance Affordability

Sen. Haine (D-Alton)

Sets forth requirements concerning policy offerings, choice, renewability, notice, disclosure, and rates to make insurance more affordable for employers and individuals.  This is a Chamber initiative.  Full Summary

HB0175

SB0265

Technology Development Account

Rep. Miller (D-Calumet City)/Sen. Schoenberg (D-Evanston)

Authorizes the State Treasurer to segregate up to 2% of the Treasurer's investment portfolio in the Technology Development Account and further authorizes investments from the account to provide venture capital to help attract, assist and retain quality technology businesses in Illinois.

Re-referred to Rules

Emerging Technology Investment

Rep. Tracy (R-Quincy)

Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish and maintain a program to award grants to emerging-technology enterprises in the State. Creates an income tax credit for qualified investors who make an investment in an emerging technology enterprise in the State.

Workers' Compensation Reform

Rep. Reis (R-Olney)

Provides for Chamber-supported workers' compensation reform.

HB0063

SB0043

Prevailing Wage

Rep. Fritchey (D-Chicago)/ Sen. Clayborne (D-Chicago)

Applies the prevailing wage to all Enterprise Zone projects and projects under the Economic Development Project Area Tax increment Allocation Act. Would devastate zones and TIFs as economic development tools.   Full Summary

Unemployment Insurance-Retirement

Rep. Mathias (R-Arlington Heights)

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that none of the amount received by an individual as primary social security old age and disability retirement benefits shall constitute disqualifying income.

Abusive Work Environment Prevention

Rep. Turner (D-Chicago)

Creates the Abusive Work Environment Act. Provides that it is an unlawful to subject an employee to an abusive work environment or to retaliate against an employee who acted pursuant to the Act or filed an action or participated in any proceeding under the Act. An employer is liable for an abusive work environment under its control. Provides that if an employer maintained an abusive work environment that did not result in a negative employment decision, the employer's liability for damages for emotional distress may not exceed $25,000 and no punitive damages may be awarded. Provides that the Act is enforceable by a civil action filed by an injured employee.  Full Summary

Healthy Workplace Act

Rep. Hernandez (D-Cicero)

Requires an employer to provide an employee up to 7 sick days with pay during each 12-month period. Provides that an employee may use the sick days care for physical or mental illness, injury, medical condition, professional medical diagnosis or care, or a medical appointment of the employee or a family member.

Prevailing Wage-Utilities

Rep. J. Bradley (D-Marion)

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that "construction" includes "construction work on a public utility" and shall, in connection with the construction of any public utility in the State, mean construction, reconstruction, installation, demolition, restoration, and alteration of facilities of the public utility. Provides that "construction work on a public utility" shall not be construed to include operational work, including flaggers, snow plowing, vegetation management in and around utility rights of way, mark outs, janitorial services, landscaping, leak surveyors, meter work, and miscellaneous repairs.

HB3761

SB0257

Job Preservation Act

Rep. Walker (D-Arlington Heights)/Sen. Noland (D-Elgin)

Provides that companies that lose 100 or more employees due to outsourcing of jobs are ineligible to receive procurement contracts with the State, units of local government, or school districts and to receive government grants, loans, tax incentives, or other economic incentives.

Public Works Prevailing Wage

Sen. Forby (D-Benton)

amends the Prevailing Wage Act, extending the law by defining "Public works” to include all projects financed in whole or in part with bonds, grants, loans, or other funds made available by or through the State or any of its political subdivisions. Full Summary

Prevailing Wage Notification Rate

Sen. Steans (D-Chicago)

Makes it a public body's responsibility to notify contractors and subcontractors of a revised prevailing wage rate, provides that the publication of an ordinance or resolution passed by the public body that states the ascertained prevailing wage is sufficient notification to the contractor and each subcontractor.

SB1350

Unemployment Benefits Lockout

Sen. Forby (D-Benton)/Rep. J. Bradley (D-Marion)

Extends number of weeks of unemployment insurance benefits to employees locked out of a collective bargaining unit.  Full Summary

Public Act

Medical Marijuana

Sen. Haine (D-Alton)

Creates the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. Provides that when a person has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition, the person and the person's primary caregiver may be issued a registry identification card by the Department of Public Health that permits the person or the person's primary caregiver to legally possess no more than 7 dried cannabis plants and 2 ounces of dried usable cannabis.  Full Summary

Job Outsourcing

Sen. Noland (D-Elgin)

Provides that companies that lose 100 or more employees due to outsourcing of jobs are ineligible to receive procurement contracts with the State, units of local government, or school districts and to receive government grants, loans, tax incentives, or other economic incentives.

Workers' Comp Injury-Drugs/Alchol

Sen. Hultgren (R-Wheaton)

Provides that an accidental injury incurred while an employee is under the influence of alcohol or certain drugs not prescribed by a physician, or a combined influence of alcohol and drugs, the employee is not entitled to workers' compensation benefits.

Victims Economic Security and Safety Act

Sen. Steans (D-Chicago)

Amends the Victims Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA), a law that requires a employers to provide up to 12 weeks of leave for employees who are victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse or have a family member who is a victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse. 

HB0422

SB1941

California Emissions Standards

Rep. May (D-Highwood)/Sen. Collins (D-Chicago)

Creates the Illinois Clean Car Act. Establishes a new motor vehicle emission standard for nonattainment areas in the State.  Incorporates emission standards and other provisions of the California Low Emission Vehicle Program into the Illinois Clean Vehicles Program.  Requires that all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold, leased, or offered for sale or lease, imported, delivered, purchased, rented, acquired, received, titled, or registered in the State beginning with the 2012 model year meet the requirements of the Illinois Clean Vehicles Program. Requires manufacturers of new motor vehicles subject to the Illinois Clean Vehicles Program to warrant compliance with Illinois Clean Vehicles Program requirements and to comply with certain rules related to the recall of vehicles. Prohibits motor vehicle dealers from selling, offering for sale or lease, or delivering a new motor vehicle subject to these requirements unless the vehicle has received the required certification.

Lust Fund Protection

Rep. Cavaletto (D-Salem)

Provides that the Underground Storage Tank Fund is not subject to sweeps, administrative charges or charge-backs, or any other fiscal or budgetary maneuver that would in any way transfer any funds from the Underground Storage Tank Fund into any other fund of the State.

HB0875

SB2162

Removal of Nuclear Construction Ban

Rep. Osmond (R-Antioch)/Sen. Clayborne (D-Chicago)

Deletes language that provides that no construction shall commence on any new nuclear power plant to be located within the State.

Air Pollution Control Car Parts Tax Exemption

Rep. McCarthy (D-Orland Park)

Exempts motor vehicle air pollution control parts, devices, equipment, appliances, or machinery from sales tax.

SB1823

HB3854

Energy to Jobs Act

Sen. Clayborne (D-Chicago)/Rep. Reitz (D-Sparta)

Creates the Illinois Energy to Jobs Act.  Makes several changes to current energy acts, creates credits for energy facilities and restores specified tax exemptions.  This is a Chamber initiative.   Amended to create blue ribbon carbon sequestration panel.   Full Summary

Video interview with Rep. Reitz

State Funded Pension Investment

Sen. Schoenberg (D-Evanston)

Creates the Illinois Public Employees' Retirement System as an investment system for the 5 State-funded retirement systems. Provides for the transfer of assets to the Illinois Public Employees' Retirement System for investment purposes from the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois, the State Universities Retirement System, and the Illinois State Board of Investments (who currently invests for the General Assembly Retirement System (GARS), the Judges Retirement System of Illinois (JRS), and the State Employees' Retirement System of Illinois (SERS).  Click here to view Treasurer Giannoulias' presentation at the annual IACCE legislative summit regarding the proposal.

MPC/Graphic Arts Exemption Extension

Rep. Turner (D-Chicago)

Extends the exemption for graphic arts machinery and equipment and the manufacturers' purchase credit, which are both set to expire August 30, 2009; until August 30, 2014.  This legislation passed on SB1691.   This is a Chamber initiative

67% Income Tax Increase; New Service Tax

Rep. Miller (D-Lynwood); Sen. President Cullerton (D-Chicago)

Calls for the expansion of the sales tax base to include a number of basic, everyday services while guaranteeing huge funding increases to education. Service list

The bill, as amended, also increases the individual income tax by 67% and the corporate income tax by 50%.  The version of the legislation that had passed out of the Senate Education Committee last week only called for an increase in the individual income tax while maintaining the current rate for corporations. 

Cigarette Tax Increase

Rep. Ford (D-Chicago)

Provides that, beginning July 1, 2009, an additional tax of 50 mills per cigarette ($1 per package of 20) shall be imposed.

Income Tax Health Insurance Credit

Rep. C. Gordon (D-Coal City)

Allows small businesses that provide health care insurance for their employees and their spouses and dependents to claim a tax credit in an amount equal to the cost of providing that insurance.

HB1081

SB1331

Government Healthcare Expansion-Payroll Tax

Rep. Ryg (D-Vernon Hills)/Sen. Koehler (D-Pekin)

Creates the Illinois Family and Employers Health Care Act. Creates the Illinois Guaranteed Option Act to establish a program to make health insurance plans and HMOs affordable and accessible to small employers and individuals. Imposes on employers a tax on the wages paid to Illinois full-time equivalent employees; makes the tax applicable to wages paid on or after January 1, 2010, and requires payment of the tax beginning July 1, 2010.  Similar to former Gov. Blagojevich's Illinois Covered project funded by a new payroll tax imposed on employers.

Production Purchases Exemption Extension

Rep. Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora)

Extends the exemption for purchases of production related tangible personal property through June 30, 2017 (now, through June 30, 2008). Provides that the credit is awarded through a credit memorandum.

Partnership Tax Repeal

Sen. Harmon (D-Oak Park)

Part of the BIMP bill, a previously unknown change that would increase the tax burden on partnerships by 50%.  The Chamber is a part of a coalition to have this repealed in veto session

EDGE Tranfer Credit

Rep. Walker (D-Arlington Heights)

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that the recipient of a credit under the Act may apply for a certificate of transferability of credit from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the amount of the credit not previously claimed. Provides that the transferability certificate may be transferred or sold by the recipient to another Illinois taxpayer.   This is a Chamber initiative.

Net Losses

Rep. Senger (R-Naperville)

Extends the carryback and carryover periods for net losses by an additional 5 years.

Cigarette Tax Increase

Sen. Schoenberg (D-Evanston)

Provides that an additional tax of 50 mills per cigarette shall be imposed on retailers of cigarettes. Provides that, of the proceeds of the tax, 0.57% shall be deposited into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund and 99.43% shall be deposited into the Healthcare Provider Relief Fund.

Vendor Discount Elimination

Sen. Meeks (D-Chicago)

The vendor discount may no longer be claimed for returns filed on or after January 1, 2009. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall pay into the Truant Officers and Preschool Support Fund an amount equal to the amount that would have been retained by vendors as a result of the discount that was eliminated under the amendatory Act.

67% Income Tax Increase; New Service Tax

Sen. Meeks (D-Chicago)

Currently a shell bill.  Contains 2% Income Tax Increase.  Full Summary.  Senate Amendment #1 which has remained in the Senate Education Committee all session, was revised earlier this week and pushed out of the Education Committee on a vote of 6-3.  The new version of SB 750, as amended by Senate Amendment #2 and #3, maintains the 2% increase in the individual income tax rate, but deletes a similar increase in the corporate income tax rate that was included in Senate Amendment #1.  The amended version of SB 750 also purports to reduce the list of consumer services that would be subject to the state sales tax rate, but further analysis performed by Connie Beard with the Chamber’s Tax Institute shows that the list of taxable services actually expands.  To view the extremely long list of services that would be subject to the state sales tax rate under this legislation, please click here.

SB 750, as amended, also makes some adjustments to the property tax relief offered under Senate Amendment #1 and triples the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to 15%.  The legislation, however, still retains many of large, automatic increases to K-12 education.

Energy Manufacturing Tax Exemption

Sen. Jacobs (D-Moline)

Exempts certain business enterprises from taxation. Provides that the tax under the Act is not imposed with respect to any use by the purchaser in the process of manufacturing or assembling tangible personal property for wholesale or for retail sale or lease.

MPC, Graphic Arts, Investment Tax Credit Extension

Sen. Althoff (R-Crystal Lake), Rep. Mathias (R-Arlington Heights)

House Amendment #3 filed by Rep. Walker (R-Arlington Heights) extends the sunset on the Manufacturers' Purchase Credit, Graphic Arts Machinery Exemption and Replacement Tax Investment Credit.  Full Summary

Temporary Income Tax Increase

Rep. Currie (D-Chicago)

Amendment #4 would temporarily increase the income tax rate until 2011.  Full Summary

Gas Tax Increase for Capital Program

Rep. J. Bradley (D-Marion)

Increases the state motor fuel tax by 8 cents beginning July 1, 2009 to fund capital improvement projects.  Click here to view Todd Maisch's interview with Rep. Bradley on the capital proposal.

Capital Plan Funding

Rep. Lang (D-Skokie)

Mixed bag of revenue sources that will serve as a permanent funding source for future capital plans. Calls for the legalization of video poker, increases in motor vehicle user fees, increased tax rates on liquor, soft drinks, candy, and hygiene products, and changes to the Lottery that include limited third party management and lottery ticket sales of the Internet. 

Capital Construction Program

Speaker Madigan (D-Chicago)/Sen. Sullivan (D-Rushville)

Will utilize some $9 billion in state and federal stimulus money to resurface miles of roads in central Illinois and across the state in addition to other projects.  This is only part of the entire capital plan.

Multi-Year Road Program

Rep. Lang (D-Skokie)

The State’s multi-year road program will see an additional $11.6 billion while another $3.5 million has been set aside to support new state and local road construction projects.  The capital spending bill also relies heavily on the incoming federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars to support these capital projects.

Bonding/Spending for Capital Program

Rep. Lang (D-Skokie)

Spending and bonding portions of the capital plan, which will support roads and bridges projects, as well as vertical construction. 

State Capital Projects Fund

Sen. Sullivan (D-Rushville)

Senate version of capital plan. Increases the tax rate to 3.375% for individuals, trusts, and estates, and 5.4% for corporations. Provides that the sum of $146,000,000 shall be transferred from the State Capital Projects Fund to the General Revenue Fund in January and July of each year. The balance remaining in the Fund must be used for capital projects and the payment of debt service on bonds issued for capital projects.Click here to view Todd's interview with Sen. Sullivan.

HB0814

SB1472

Request for Interest Payment

Rep. Mautino (D-Spring Valley)/Sen. Frerichs (D-Champaign)

Removes a provision that requires vendors to initiate a written request for the payment of an interest penalty that is at least $5 but less than $50.

Prompt Payment Period Reduction

Rep. Flider (D-Decatur)

Accelerates the payment period from 60 days after the bill is submitted to 30 days after the bill is submitted. Increases the interest penalty from 1% to 1.5% if the payment is not made within 60 days after the bill is submitted.

Prompt Payment-Penalty

Rep. Tracy (R-Quincy)

Provides that any bill submitted under Article V of the Illinois Public Aid Code approved for payment must be paid or the payment issued to the payee within 30 days (now, 60 days) after receipt of a proper bill or invoice, and, if payment is not issued to the payee within this 30-day period, an interest penalty of 2.0% (now, 1.0%) of any amount approved and unpaid shall be added for each month or fraction thereof after the end of this 30-day period, until final payment is made.

Foreign Vendors Limit

Rep. J. Gordon (D-Peoria)

Provides that a purchasing agency, chief procurement officer, associate procurement officer, or State purchasing officer may not enter into an agreement (i) to purchase or lease goods on behalf of a State agency unless 100% of the goods to be purchased or leased under the agreement are made or assembled in the United States or (ii) to procure services on behalf of a State agency unless 100% of the services to be procured under the agreement are provided within the United States.

Truck Registration Fee Increase

Rep. Ford (D-Chicago)

Doubles the annual registration fees on trucks over 8,000 pounds.

Diesel Emission Mandates

Sen. Noland (D-Elgin)

Creates ornerous diesel emission reduction mandates on vehicles made after 2006.

Waterway Modernization

Sen. Sullivan (D-Rushville)

Encourages the Illinois congressional delegation to support efforts to undertake modernizations projects to improve the waterways system in order to support the State's economic growth, reduce highway congestion, and reduce pollution.

Campaign Finance Reform

Speaker Madigan (D-Chicago)

Contains campaign contribution limits, new reporting requirements and other major changes to the way campaigns are financed in Illinois.  Full Summary

HB0024

SB1406

Campaign Contribution Restrictions

Rep. Osterman (D-Chicago)/Sen. Noland (D-Elgin)

Places limits on campaign contributions and regulates the solicitation by corporations, labor organizations, and associations of employees and employee families for campaign contributions.  Full Summary

Campaign Finance Reports

Rep. Lang (D-Skokie)

Requires disclosure in campaign finance reports of all contributions, expenditures, and transfers; regardless of amount (currently, disclosure is only required in amounts that exceed $150 in the aggregate).

Lobbying Restrictions

Rep. Fritchey (D-Chicago)

Requires documentation of each time a lobbyist meets with a legislator.

Binding Ballot Initiatives

Rep. Froehlich (D-Schaumburg)

Authorizes binding initiatives to be placed on the ballot by electors of units of local government.

"Fumigation" Bill

Speaker Madigan (D-Chicago)

Terminates employees appointed during the Ryan and Blagojevich administrations

Pay-to-Play Language Clean-up, Procurement Reform

Speaker Madigan (D-Chicago)

Substantial rewrite of the procurement code to address Blagojevich era abuses.   Includes Chamber's clean-up language to last year's pay-to-play law.  Full Summary

State Ethics Reform

Speaker Madigan (D-Chicago)

Makes several changes to the state's ethics laws including major expansions in lobbyist reporting requirements and registration and fine increases.

Full Summary

SB0350

Amend.1

Campaign Finance Proposal

Leader Radogno (R-Lemont)

Includes changes to campaign finance. Senate amendment #1 would impose the contribution limitations suggested by the Reform Commission.  Under this proposal, individuals are limited to contributions of no more than $2,400 for all candidate races while corporations, PACs, unions, and associations are limited to $5,000 during a regular election period.  The proposal also defines “unions” so as to include local branches and affiliates in the overall contribution ban.  Full Summary

Re-referred to Rules

Elimination of "Double Exemption" Employees

President Cullerton (D-Chicago), Speaker Madigan (D-Chicago)

Pared down version of fumigation bill.  Calls for the firing of “double exempt” employees- those employees whose position is considered purely political- who were placed in that position by either Governor Ryan or Governor Blagojevich.  SB 1333 now only applies to approximately 750 employees

SB1466

H.A. 2

Campaign Finance

Speaker Madigan (D-Chicago)

A new version of a campaign finance bill from veto session that would replace HB7 that the Governor vetoed with two major differences being the reduction in the contribution limit for political action committees from $90,000 to $50,000 and the limits being based on the election cycle rather than the calendar year.

Pay to Play Language Cleanup

Sen. Harmon (D-Oak Park)

The Chamber's initiative to address serious issues with last year's passing of the Pay to Play bill.  Includes language cleanup. The majority of the Chamber’s language passed as part of SB 51.

Contribution Limits

Sen. Steans (D-Chicago)

Limits a candidate to the establishment of one political committee; permits a General Assembly caucus leader to establish an additional caucus committee. Requires candidates, and permits political parties and General Assembly caucus leaders, to designate a single political committee to accept campaign contributions and regulates the manner of designation. Prohibits campaign contributions to political committees of public office candidates, established political parties, political party committeeperson candidates, and legislative caucuses except in limited amounts from individuals and political committees. Regulates the solicitation by corporations, labor organizations, and associations of employees and employee families for campaign contributions.

HB0008

SB1963

Venue Reform

Rep. Tracy (R-Quincy)/Sen. Dillard (R-Westmont)

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure.  Provides that if none of the parties in a civil case are residents of the state, the case shall take place in the county where the transaction occured

HB4003

SB1964

Joint/Several Liability

Rep. Stephens (R-Highland)/Sen. Dillard (R-Westmont)

Provides that in actions arising out of bodily injury, death, or damage to property based on negligence or product liability based on strict tort liability there will not be joint and several liability, rather when more than one defendant is found to be liable, a defendant will only be liable for that percentage of the plaintiff's damages, found by the trier of fact, that the defendant's percentage of contributory fault, found by the trier of fact, represents.

HB4005

SB1962

Product Liability

Rep. Stephens (R-Highland)/Sen. Dillard (R-Westmont)

Re-enacts and changes various provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure relating to product liability actions that were added by Public Act 89-7, which was held to be void in its entirety by the Illinois Supreme Court in Best v. Taylor Machine Works, 179 Ill. 2d 367 (1997).

HB4006

SB1968

Consumer Fraud-Bodily Injury

Rep. Reboletti (R-Addison)/Sen. Murphy (R-Palatine)

Exempts claims seeking damages for conduct that results in bodily injury, death, or damage to property other than the property that is the subject of the practice claimed to be unlawful.

Pre-Judgement Interest

Rep. Haine (D-Alton)

This bill requires prejudgement interest to be paid by defendants in lawsuits and arbitration claims where monetary damages are awarded.  Full Summary

Appeal Bond

Sen. Harmon (D-Oak Park)

Provides that in civil litigation under any legal theory, execution of the judgment shall be stayed during appellate review upon the posting of a supersedeas bond set in accordance with law or court rules, except that the total supersedeas bond that is required of all appellants collectively shall not exceed $75,000,000, regardless of the judgment amount. Provides that if an appellee proves that an appellant is dissipating assets outside the ordinary course of business to avoid payment of a judgment, a court may require the appellant to post a supersedeas bond in an amount up to the total judgment amount.

HB0063

SB0043

Prevailing Wage Mandate in Enterprise Zones/TIFs

Rep. Fritchey (D-Chicago)/ Sen. Clayborne (D-Chicago)

Applies the prevailing wage to all Enterprise Zone projects and projects under the Economic Development Project Area Tax increment Allocation Act.

HB3761

SB0257

Job Preservation Act

Rep. Walker (D-Arlington Heights)/Sen. Noland (D-Elgin)

Provides that companies that lose 100 or more employees due to outsourcing of jobs are ineligible to receive procurement contracts with the State, units of local government, or school districts and to receive government grants, loans, tax incentives, or other economic incentives.

EDGE Tranfer Credit

Rep. Walker (D-Arlington Heights)

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that the recipient of a credit under the Act may apply for a certificate of transferability of credit from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the amount of the credit not previously claimed. Provides that the transferability certificate may be transferred or sold by the recipient to another Illinois taxpayer.   This is a Chamber initiative.

Venture Capital Credit

Rep. Walker (D-Arlington Heights)

Provides for a credit in an amount equal to 25% of the taxpayer's equity investment in a qualified new business venture, including investments made through a certified fund manager. Sets forth limitations on the credit.

Consolidation of DCEO Dvelopment Assistance Reports

Rep. Walker (D-Arlington Heights)

Provides that each recipient of development assistance shall file an annual consolidated progress report (instead of a progress report for each development assistance agreement). Provides that the progress report may include other information the Department deems necessary to ensure compliance with a development assistance program. Amends the Build Illinois Bond Act. Provides that businesses that receive certain grants or loans must notify the Department if the business fails to meet the agreed employment or investment conditions of the grant or loan.

Power Line Burial

Rep. Jefferson (D-Rockford)

Requires that all public utilities bury high power electric transmission lines along: (i) major highways with an average daily traffic of at least 12,000 motor vehicles; and (ii) any new highway, the construction of which is under State, local, or township jurisdiction.

Telecomm Staffing Levels

Rep. Verschoore (D-Rock Island)

Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to conduct a comprehensive workforce analysis in order to determine necessary staffing levels for certain telecommunications carriers for jobs related to maintenance of service quality, reliability and restoration of service.  The ICC would then set benchmark staffing levels as mandates for those companies.

Anti-Counterfeiting Reform

Sen. Silverstein (D-Chicago)

Makes several pro-business changes to the current, outdated Counterfeit Trademark Act.  Stengthens Illinois’ protections against counterfeit goods to now match federal standards.   This is a Chamber initiative.

Bonds

Sen. Trotter (D-Chicago)

Provides that $2.23 billion of the net proceeds of the sale of general obligation bonds to fund pension obligations will permit an equivalent amount to be appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Governor to be directed to state agencies and to be expended for operational expenses, awards, grants, and permanent improvements to fund programs and services provided by community-based human service providers and for state-funded human service programs. SB 1292 also authorizes an additional $3.466 billion in bonds to be used for the purpose of making the State's Fiscal Year 2010 required contributions to designated retirement systems.   

Funds for Human Service Providers

Sen. Trotter (D-Chicago)

Appropriates funds for FY 2010 state operations and grants for community-based human service providers.

BIMP

Sen. Trotter (D-Chicago)

Contains the 2010 Budget Implementation Act (BIMP). 

Special Funds Transfer

Sen. Trotter (D-Chicago)

Authorizes transfers of various special funds to the General Revenue Fund to meet expenditure obligations.