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Illinois Chamber Board Receives Address from Ukrainian Consulate in Chicago
Last Thursday, the Illinois Chamber Board was addressed by Ukrainian Consul General Serhiy Koledov. The Consul General presented the recovery plan of Ukraine along with other investment opportunities to all present at the meeting at the Chamber's downtown Chicago office. We thank the Consul General for his impactful presentation and for making the business case for reinvestment into Ukraine.
Illinois Chamber Signs US Chamber DOL Independent Contractor Letter
Earlier this month, the Illinois Chamber signed on to the US Chamber's comment letter on the US Department of Labor's proposed rule on independent contractors. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed a new regulation to determine whether someone should be classified as an "independent contractor" or an "employee" under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA).
The new regulation is heavily biased towards concluding that someone should be considered an employee. If an employer determines a worker should be classified as an independent contractor, the employer will not be confident that classification will be correct until the DOL approves it.
Read the full comment letter here.
Funding for Innovation Hubs
Last Tuesday, Governor Pritzker announced the release of $37.3 million to launch facilities for five hubs of the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN), created to accelerate job creation and economic growth through groundbreaking education, research, and discovery. The funding is made possible by the Rebuild Illinois Capital program.
Funding will support the construction and renovation of facilities at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU), Northern Illinois University (NIU), Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS). The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) will oversee the projects' design and construction in accordance with the protocol for state-appropriated projects.
The IIN operates as a network of networks, connecting entities across Illinois to drive inclusive and integrated research, innovation, and economic development. Hubs utilize a combination of research, public-private partnerships, entrepreneurship, and workforce training programs to spur inclusive economic development in their region and across the state.
The released funding is the latest installment from $500 million in state capital funds approved to develop the statewide education and innovation network, which is led by the University of Illinois System. The state contribution is complemented by more than $500 million in additional capital and programmatic funding from the U of I System's Discovery Partners Institute and IIN, pushing the total investment over the life of the initiative beyond the $1 billion mark.
GAP Call
This is a notice that the Illinois Chamber will host a Government Affairs Professionals (GAP) call Tuesday, January 3rd at 3:00 pm. We will provide you updates on scheduling and what legislation we are watching during the lame duck session. GAP Call in information is provided below.
Throughout the Spring, GAP calls will take place every Monday afternoon when either the House or Senate is in session. We will make you aware of scheduling changes as they occur.
Please send any questions in advance to ckaericher@ilchamber.org.
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