| It’s great to have sports as a diversion from politics. And I often think that if entire network TV on Saturdays were taken up with the airing of the political debates in Springfield or Washington D.C. instead of college ball, only one thing would happen – advertisers would lose money. No one would watch these non-debate debates that take place. Occasionally – less often now – pertinent questions will give the other side pause sufficient to stop action on a bill to re-think what the legislation will actually do and its impact on others. But it has become increasingly rare for that to happen. Watching these “debates” is tiresome, to say the least. But, this week during VETO session, I watched – so you didn’t have to. Here is a synopsis of the more important legislation that passed:1. SAFE-T Act Changes.No Republicans Voted for the Changes that were presented in HB1095. The SAFE-T Act changes were minor, including now allowing the detention of additional crimes such as trespassing in certain instances and giving prosecutors more flexibility in bringing certain cases to trial. However, important substantive changes related to cashless bail, anonymous complaints against police officers, compelling victims to testify in detention hearings, and lessening penalties for repeat offenders were not considered. Illinois Democrats are blowing off their responsibility to revisit more of the details of the law and ignoring the devastating consequences it will unleash. As it stands currently, the SAFE-T Act is an affront to public safety, the legislative process, and our communities as a whole. Here is a rundown on the changes: Changes to Illinois’ SAFE-T Act a vindication for opponents of the law, but the Act remains dangerous to Illinoisans – Wirepoints | Wirepoints |
| 2. Unemployment Insurance Fund – Paying Back Federal Loan, Raising Rates to Stabilize Fund The Unemployment Insurance legislation went through an “Agreed Bill” process where both employers and labor worked together on the changes in statute. The bill will require rate hikes on employers and the state to pay back to the federal government the remaining $1.363 billion loan of the $4.5 billion Illinois borrowed to cover unemployment expenses related to the COVID lockdowns. Illinois has been fiscally derelict while simultaneously handing out election-year goodies, being one of only four states that still hasn’t fully repaid its loan. The loan repayment should have happened 18 months ago! Instead, we racked up a $114 million dollar penalty. Models predict employers will save an estimated $913 million with the agreement instead of not doing anything. Benefits will remain at the same level. Read more about the sideshow here: https://wirepoints.org/announcement-of-historic-monumental-repayment-of-illinois-unemployment-fund-debt-is-political-theatre-wirepoints/ Here is another thing – Illinois, of course, is the ONLY state that has an “Agreed Bill” process. Ever hear of the “Combine” – a term John Kass coined to describe the back-scratching that goes on between both parties and special interests? The Agreed Bill process – feels like the same thing. The process dates back to the 1950s and is a way to circumvent the legislature to get a deal struck between employers and labor on workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. I can absolutely sympathize with employers and businesses being at the table to cut a deal. However, in Illinois, LABOR has the upper hand, and those negotiating the business side know whose side the majority party is on. In this case, on unemployment insurance, apparently, over 36 interest groups representing both employers and labor agreed to the bill. Okay – here’s the rub. The estimated unemployment fraud in Illinois during COVID was $2 billion – and nothing’s been done. There have been no assurances that the system has been tightened to prevent the theft of taxpayer funds in the future OR that fraudsters have been pursued and prosecuted.We’ll watch to see if those savings actually materialize over 5 years – and if a recession comes next year, whether or not the fund will have sufficient resources. I am open to criticism from employers on my take on this deal. Read More Here:https://www.governing.com/work/illinois-announces-1-4b-plan-to-plug-unemployment-fundAnd here is a great summary of the “Agreed Bill” process in Illinois – the only state in the nation that does this. How Illinois lawmakers managed to agree on a $1.8 billion debt plan (pantagraph.com)3. More Of The Green New ‘Steal’ – Democrats and Republicans Vote for More Tax Incentives for EV Manufacturers and Others. Speaking of Business, a bunch of business groups jumped on board these expanded tax credits for Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturers. Apparently, the tax credits passed just last year for 15 years’ worth of tax credits weren’t sufficient – now they get 30 years’ worth. And if you aren’t an EV manufacturer, you get nothing – unless you are potentially an EV manufacturer but currently only make those gas-guzzling machines like FORD – you get a special deal too. Read more here: https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/illinois-electric-vehicle-incentives-pritzker-administration-tweaks-credits#new_tabAnd Here: Illinois lawmakers approve changes to EV manufacturer tax credit program | Illinois | thecentersquare.com4. TIF Extensions – Chicago got 5 Tax Increment Financing districts approved for an additional 12 years; a total of 12 TIFs were extended by my count.TIFs are designed to incentivize developers to improve blighted areas. The usual amount of time for a TIF is 23 years. TIFs are approved at the local level and can only be extended beyond the initial time by legislative action. These are fairly routine – but I never voted for one because after 23 years, if the development isn’t complete and the property is put back on the tax rolls, then there are other problems. What’s happening instead is that the TIF became a slush fund for the city. Extending TIFS just withholds property taxes from other government units, most notably schools, forcing taxpayers to carry the burden. And TIFs distort the state education funding fórmula, which isn’t fair. A problem never fixed before or in 2017 when the new formula passed.Other Bad Ideas from the Democrats This Week: Pro-Criminal Legislation – Allowing Prisoners to Votehttps://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/illinois-lawmakers-discuss-legislation-that-could-allow-prisoners-to-vote/article_aa5247ee-7103-11ed-90d4-fb10458888d8.html#new_tab Illinois State Representative Denyse Wang Stoneback has introduced HB5850 , which would criminalize certain speech directed at political campaigns.Illinois Leaks | IL. Rep. Denyse Stoneback Wants To Criminalize Free Speech During Elections – (edgarcountywatchdogs.com |
