GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Report    

April 3, 2020

This Week in Illinois

Session Update
The House and Senate were not in session this week. Under the original session calendars, both chambers were not scheduled to be in the next two weeks. It is very unclear when the General Assembly will return to Springfield. Chamber leaders have said to expect a very limited agenda when they do return, one that focuses on the budget and COVID-19 relief.   
 
As we pointed out last week, the legislative leaders also extended the committee deadline (the deadline for moving House bills out of the committee to the floor) to April 24. The Senate has extended the third reading deadline for Senate bills to May 7. The House has extended the third reading deadline to May 8, which will be a scheduled session day.  
 
DCEO and Accion Call
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Erin Guthrie led a Chamber call on  grant and loan opportunities for Illinois small businesses on Tuesday. You can view the director's presentation here.
 
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin Call
On the second half of the call, U.S. Senator and Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) gave the latest update on the federal stimulus that passed last week. Sen. Durbin discussed details on the federal package negotiations and answered questions about current and future legislation. Click   here  for the full audio version of the webinar.

U.S. Rep. Mike Bost Call
The Chamber co-hosted  a Small Business Telephone Town Hall with U.S. Congressman Mike Bost (D-IL) on Thursday. Rep. Bost gave an update on federal legislation and answered questions from individual callers on topics ranging from unemployment benefits to small business loans.
 
IDES and DOL
In response to dramatic changes in the labor market announced just this week, our next call on Monday, April 6, at 1:30 pm, will focus on employment separation programs.
 
Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) Acting Director Thomas Chan and experts from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will give the latest updates on state and federal employment separation programs, and answer questions from participants.
 
For more information on the call click here or you can register  here.  Please contact Lanae Clarke with an questions  at:  lclarke@illinoischamber.org   

Connect with the Chamber

  

If you have questions about the Government Affairs Report, contact Clark Kaericher at ckaericher@ilchamber.org. Do not reply to this email. 

Illinois Chamber of Commerce

2020 Government Affairs Report | Clark Kaericher, Editor