* Press release…

The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) is backing legislation that would make permanent and modernize a tax credit that incentivizes manufacturers and other companies to invest in research and development projects in Illinois.

“Illinois manufacturers are constantly striving to bring new and better products to market. From innovative medical treatments to unique food products and advanced technology and machinery, manufacturers produce a variety of goods that we rely on,” said Mark Denzler, president & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “By modernizing and making permanent the Research and Development Tax Credit, Illinois will be encouraging manufacturers who invest in our communities by launching product studies, researching new technologies and processes, and testing groundbreaking products right here at home. We look forward to working with lawmakers to pass this important measure.”

The legislation increases the Research and Development Tax Credit by providing that the increase in research and development activities shall be based on an increase over 50% of the average of the qualifying expenditures for each year in the base period. Currently, the credit is based on an increase over 100 percent of the average of the qualifying expenditures for each year in the base period. This change modernizes the bill to match changes to the Research and Development Tax Credit at the federal level. Additionally, the bill makes the credit permanent moving forward. The Senate version of the legislation, SB 3453, is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Revenue Committee this afternoon.

“Illinois has a strong manufacturing sector, and Senate Bill 3453 offers opportunities for these businesses to grow, thrive, and reach new heights” said State Senator Donald DeWitte (R-St. Charles). “By incentivizing our manufacturers to invest further in Illinois, we encourage our business leaders to create, invent and expand their businesses, which leads to more jobs. It also makes our manufacturers more competitive in an ever-changing global economy.”

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, manufacturers are the nation’s largest investors in research and development, making up roughly two-thirds of private-sector research and development spending in 2018. However, the U.S. global share of research and development spending dropped from 39.8% to 29.9% in the last two decades, while China’s share of global research and development spending rose from 4.9% to 23.9%. This disparity underlines the importance of supporting policies to invest in American manufacturing, particularly as the pandemic laid bare global supply chain issues that impact our state and nation’s ability to respond in times of crisis.

The governor likes to say that businesses want predictability. Well, the sunsets on the R&D tax credit do way more harm than good. It was one of those Madigan things that truly needs to end.

* WGN TV…

Illinois college students may have one less expense in their budgets later this year.

A bill making its way through the Senate would require public colleges in Illinois to rent books and course materials to in-state students at no cost.

Sen. Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) wants to encourage students to stay in Illinois not just for college, but to settle down in the state after graduation. Bennett chairs the Senate Higher Education committee. […]

The bill passed the committee 11-1 on Feb. 9th, with Sen. Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) being the lone no vote.

* Illinois Press Association…

Once again, the Illinois General Assembly is faced with legislation to eliminate public notices from newspapers. This time, however, the proposed legislation makes additional changes to the status quo.

The Illinois Press Association has prepared a position paper, which it will circulate to the members of the General Assembly. You can view the full position paper here or read the full text below.

This year’s effort seems to be generated by the Illinois Municipal League, given that this legislation requires posting of notices on a website under the control of Illinois municipalities (but excluding Chicago).

Why the Municipal League, which objects to every effort to impose “unfunded mandates” on local governments, would attempt to impose on its own members this unfunded mandate of the creation and maintenance of a public notice website, is not explained.

Even more curious is why the IML would support the creation of this new mandate on local governments, when the Illinois Press Association has successfully managed a public notice website, specifically at no additional cost to local governments, for more than a decade.

The legislation also eliminates the requirement that public notices from any other public body must be published on a website, eliminating that requirement for transparency that has been in place for a decade. Again, there is no explanation supporting the elimination of that requirement.

* Rep. Will Guzzardi writing in the Sun-Times…

In 2019, I passed a law capping copays for insulin at $100 a month. But state laws can only cover certain types of insurance, so it only affected around 15% of Illinoisans. And we know $100 a month is still too much.

It’s time to do better. We need to lower that copay, and we also need to provide alternatives for the 85% of people who aren’t covered by the cap.

That’s why I’ve introduced House Bill 5300, the Insulin for All Act. The bill will allow for any person with diabetes who’s running out of insulin to walk into a pharmacy and get an emergency 30-day supply at a minimal cost. It requires manufacturers to create patient assistance programs that offer low-cost insulin to eligible patients. It will leverage the state’s bargaining power to offer a negotiated price on insulin for any person with diabetes who can’t get it cheaper elsewhere. And it lowers that copay cap to $35 a month.

The past two years have been a vivid reminder that pharmaceutical research can produce incredible results, as with the COVID-19 vaccines. But no matter how great they are, drugs don’t work if people can’t afford them.

…Adding… Press release…

Youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services are one step closer to receiving the financial resources they need to be ready for adulthood thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).

“I’m pleased that we are one step closer to ensuring that the state will be proactive at helping youth in care build a strong future during their final years of care,” Peters said. “We need to do all we can to ensure that they have access to a financial head start before they have to live on their own.”

Senate Bill 3470 would require DCFS to save or invest a minimum percentage of a youth’s benefits once they reach the age of 14. This will ensure that when DCFS no longer serves as the financial representative of the youth, they will have some money to help them transition into a successful adult life.

The minimum percentages that DCFS will be required to invest are:

● 40% for youth between the ages of 14-15
● 80% for youth between the ages of 16-17
● 100% for youth between the ages of 18-20

Senate Bill 3470 would also require the DCFS to take defined actions when applying for and managing certain federal benefits that the department receives on behalf of any youth in care.

“State services should help empower youth and give them strong support to enter our society,” Peters said. “We should not be sending young people out into the world without the resources they need to live independently, and we must ensure that they are able to make the transition into adult life.”

The measure passed the Senate on Wednesday.