September 15, 2023

This Week in Illinois

Illinois Chamber Joins US Chamber Coalition Letter on Negotiations Between the United Auto Workers and the Detroit Three

On Wednesday, the Illinois Chamber joined the US Chamber's coalition in a letter expressing concern over the possibility of a United Auto Workers strike. Provided below is a copy of the letter.

The undersigned organizations are concerned by the growing possibility of a strike by the United Auto Workers (UAW) in their negotiations for a new labor contract with General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford Motor Company (Detroit Three). A UAW strike would impose significant hardship on American families and the economy so we, therefore, urge you and your Administration to provide the support necessary to help the parties reach a new agreement by the September 14 deadline.

The Detroit Three are critical to our economy. They produced 4.8 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, alongside 3.5 million engines, and 5.6 million transmissions.[1]  A 2020 report[2] shows that the Detroit Three are supported by 238,000 employees at 260 assembly plants, manufacturing facilities, research labs, distribution centers, and other facilities across 31 states. They work with nearly 9,700 dealerships, which employ nearly 660,000 U.S. workers. Additionally, every vehicle that rolls off the assembly line of a Detroit Three automaker contains anywhere from 8,000 to 12,000 different components manufactured by over 5,600 U.S. suppliers. Over 690,000 supplier jobs are estimated to be tied to the Detroit Three, which accounts for anywhere from 20% to 70% of their business. This means a strike will quickly impact large segments of the economy, leading to layoffs and potentially even bankruptcies of U.S. businesses. While UAW’s 40-day strike on General Motors in 2019 forced suppliers to temporarily lay off approximately 75,000 workers, every indication is that a strike today would be significantly more severe for many businesses. Indeed, one analysis estimates a 10-day UAW strike could result in economic losses of more than $5 billion.[3]

No one should want a strike. The Administration has already employed its formal and informal convening power in the past year to help parties reach agreements in the freight railroad, West Coast port terminal, and UPS-Teamster contract negotiations. We urge you to lend similar help here and work with the parties to help reach an agreement by September 14.

To view the coalition members list click here.

IL Chamber Discusses Economic Development and Impact of Sports with Member Chicago Bears

Recently, Illinois Chamber Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Clark Kaericher had the opportunity to spend time with Chicago Bears President & CEO Kevin Warren, SVP Business Strategy and CFO Karen Murphy, and Counsel Cliff Stein at Halas Hall. The Chicago Bears have been members of the Illinois Chamber since 1951!

It's always great to speak about economic development in our communities with such a deeply invested organization. 

If you'd like to schedule a meeting with Chamber staff, host an upcoming event, or facility tour please let us know at the contact below.

Andrew Cunningham: acunningham@ilchamber.org

Civil Justice Climate: Illinois Chamber Participates in Civil Justice Reform Group Panel

On Wednesday, Illinois Chamber Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Clark Kaericher took part in a panel discussion for the Civil Justice Reform Group at the offices of Bartlit Beck LLP in Chicago.

Titled Legislative Landscape in the Rearview Mirror and the Signs Ahead, Kaericher was joined on the panel by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) and the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA). Discussions for the panel included BIPA, premises liability, and common carriers.

Session Update

The General Assembly adjourned in the early morning of Saturday, May 27th. Per SJR 42, the House and Senate have adjourned until the call of the Speaker and the Senate President. The 2023 fall veto session has been announced for October 24th-26th and November 7th-9th. View the calendar here.

Illinois Chamber 2023 Annual Luncheon - Register Today!

We at the Illinois Chamber are thrilled as we look forward to our 2023 annual meeting taking place in less than two weeks on September 28th in at the Doubletree in Oak Brook. As every year, we invite you to join us for a wonderful lineup of speakers and activity in support of the Illinois business community.

We are thrilled that Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza will help us kick off the annual meeting with a fireside chat with Secretary of the Chamber Board, Kelly Edwards - State Counsel for Illinois and Indiana at State Farm Insurance Companies. After lunch has been plated, our keynote speaker, Vice Chair of Inland Real Estate Group and President of Inland Real Estate Acquisitions, Joe Cosenza will address attendees. The event will conclude with a time of remembrance and a tribute to Illinois Chamber President and CEO Todd Maisch who we sadly lost earlier this summer. 

When

• Sep. 28th, 10:30am - 2:00pm

Where

• Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Chicago in Oak Brook

Register HERE - we can't wait to see you at the luncheon!

BIPA Is Turning 15 - Register Today

Date/Time: Friday, October 6, 2023 | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Location: The Security Innovation Hub | 1302 South Kilbourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60623

What will you learn? Delve into the present legal, political, scientific, ethical, and technological aspects of BIPA. Acquire insights from industry experts on how to proactively maintain and oversee your onboarding, access control, data and compliance protocols, ensuring their ongoing effectiveness to help avert a BIPA lawsuit.

Who should attend? Businesses of all sizes – small, medium, enterprise, and mega-tech – can gain valuable insights into BIPA compliance. We suggest that individuals with the following roles consider attending: Owners, CISOs, CSOs, Human Resources personnel, Legal departments, Accounting professionals, IAM staff, Operations and Facility Managers.

Why participate? With class-action payouts surpassing 1 BILLION dollars (and still rising), Illinois has earned the reputation of being “a cottage industry for BIPA lawsuits.” Now is a pivotal juncture for businesses across diverse sizes and sectors to grasp the significance of BIPA and actively engage in discussions. BIPA's impact has been felt across a wide spectrum, cases range from chicken processors, roofing distributors, retailers, restaurants, and amusement parks to mega tech corporations. It's imperative for all of these entities to comprehend the intricacies of the BIPA law, which encompasses both digital and physical implications.

More information here: bipabuzz.com (squarespace.com)