News You Need
Labor Law Updates
What to Watch
WSCCI REGIONAL PARTNERS 






TOP TIER MEMBERS

Catherine's Community Closet
Community Bank of Western Springs
Community Memorial Foundation
Country Financial
FNBC Bank & Trust
Inland Bank
Nicor Gas
Midwest PC Group
Mueller, Inc.
NuMark Credit Union
Plymouth Place Senior Living
Proxit
Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law
Vulcan Materials Company


August 2018
WSCCI Legislative Survey 
Provides Direction 

Thank you to everyone who responded to the recent legislative issues survey sent out by the Chamber. If you did not complete the survey and would like to, please email Suzi Wirtz for a copy.

Below is what you told us to focus on. As the Board of Directors plans for 2018-2020 strategically, these issues will be top priority for the Legislative Committee.

  • Economic Development opportunities
  • Workforce Development
  • Healthcare
  • Education
Your greatest concerns for your business are the following:
  • Skilled workforce
  • Employee healthcare benefits
  • Cost of business in your current location
  • Workforce turnover

S tay tuned to this bi-monthly eblast, The Legislative Track, for timely news and information for members only. If you would like to serve on the Legislative Committee, please let us know!
Labor Law:  Unions Affected

Janus v. State, County, and Municipal Employees, (June 2018).

Janus asked the court last summer to overrule a 40-year-old Supreme Court decision. It found that public sector unions could require employees affected by their negotiations to pay so-called agency fees, which have also been called "fair share fees."

Only the union may engage in collective bargaining; individual employees may not be represented by another agent or negotiate directly with their employer. Nonmembers are required to pay what is generally called an "agency fee," i.e., a percentage of the full union dues. The union sets the agency fee annually and then sends nonmembers a notice explaining the basis for the fee and the breakdown of expenditures. Janus refused to join the Union because he opposes many of its positions, including those taken in collective bargaining. The Court reasoned Petitioner was undisputedly injured by Illinois' agency-fee scheme and his injuries can be redressed by a favorable court decision. For jurisdictional purposes, the court permissibly treated his amended complaint in intervention as the operative complaint in a new lawsuit. The State's extraction of agency fees from nonconsenting public sector employees violates the First Amendment. The Court further reasoned the State of Illinois' extraction of agency fees from nonconsenting public-sector employees violates the First Amendment. Thus the Court held the district court had jurisdiction over petitioner's suit.



Good News for REALTORS

SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Bruce Rauner signed legislation to reduce burdensome licensing requirements for real estate businesses. The new licensing program is expected to save the state money by reducing a duplicative and unnecessary licensure structure that provides no benefit to the public and discourages business creation and growth.
 
"House Bill 5210 is a win for small business and licensed professionals in Illinois," Rauner said. "It is another step forward in our goal of reducing the amount of red tape, paperwork, and regulatory burden that puts our business owners and our state at a disadvantage."
 
What to Watch

Awaiting the Governor's signature is HB  5253, legislation requiring regulatory agencies to examine the impact new rules and regulations will have on small businesses, passed out of both the Illinois House and Senate with unanimous bipartisan support. 

 
WSCCI Region