* Additional react is here if you missed it. Posted in the order received…
Senate President Don Harmon D-Oak Park, issued the following statement after the Senate voted to pass a balanced budget that pays down debts, invests in education and police, and provides nearly $2 billion in tax relief for Illinoisans:
“This budget continues our practice of responsible budgeting and providing strength through stability. It pays our bills, sets extra aside and provides billions in relief for those who need it the most.
This is a great budget that reflects the needs and priorities of the people of this great state.”
* ACEC-IL…
The American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC-IL) released the following statement regarding the preservation of gas tax revenues for infrastructure projects included in the state’s budget:
“We applaud Governor Pritzker and the legislature for passing a budget that provides a solution to the motor fuel tax issue that maintains the state’s commitment to prioritize infrastructure projects throughout Illinois,” said Kevin Artl, president and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois. “It’s important to strike a balance for consumers who are feeling pain at the pump, while also keeping the state on track to revitalizing our bridges, roads and highways. Engineers across the state applaud Illinois policymakers for their thoughtful leadership on this issue.”
* IML…
The Illinois Municipal League (IML) issued the following statement after the General Assembly approved a State Fiscal Year 2023 budget that includes an increase to the Local Government Distributive Fund, from the current distribution rate of 6.06% of individual income tax collections to a rate of 6.16%, which will provide additional funding to cities, villages and towns:
“We thank the governor and leaders in the House and Senate for prioritizing this investment in our cities, villages and towns. Years of revenue cuts from the state have placed great pressure on local budgets, forcing many municipalities to consider tax and fee increases, service cuts and even layoffs as they struggle to make ends meet,” said Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe of Decatur, IML President. “This additional funding will help ease some of those burdens so communities can better meet the needs of our residents.”
“It’s important to note that while municipalities received federal COVID relief dollars, their use was restricted to water, sewer and broadband projects and could not be used for purposes such as personnel, pension payments or debt payments. The funds provided through LGDF can be used on a much broader array of items, including public safety,” Brad Cole, IML Executive Director. “While there remains a long way to go before LGDF funding is fully restored, this is a step in the right direction.”
* Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association…
The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association has released the following statement after the General Assembly approved the Fiscal Year 2023 state budget, in which hotels are set to receive $75 million in aid to assist with pandemic recovery efforts:
“As a vital component of Illinois’ economy, the pandemic decimated our state’s hotel industry, with record low occupancy rates and sustained losses due to the massive decline in conventions and tourism. This $75 million in aid is an important lifeline for our industry, allowing hotels to rehire workers and fully re-open their doors as travel begins to rebound,” said Michael Jacobson, president & CEO, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association. “We appreciate the support of the legislative leaders and the members who championed our cause, especially House Majority Leader Greg Harris, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, Rep. Kam Buckner, Rep. Terra Costa Howard, and Rep. Lamont Robinson as well as Sen. Elgie Sims, Sen. Bill Cunningham, and Sen. Sara Feigenholtz. As the industry rebuilds, we look forward to welcoming travelers back to Illinois and helping to lead the economic recovery of our state and local communities.”
* IFRA…
Josh Sharp, CEO of the IL Fuel and Retail Association, is issuing the following statement on actions taken by the Illinois Legislature to authorize two gas tax increases for 2023 and require fuel retailers to post signs at their own expense.
“By delaying, instead of simply eliminating, the annual gas tax increase for six months, the Legislature is guaranteeing two gas tax increases for next year; one in January and another in July. That is not relief for Illinois taxpayers, that is conveniently kicking the can down the road until after an election.”
In addition to the two gas taxes now coming in 2023, the Legislature also approved legislation requiring gas stations to post a 4X8 sign on pumps to inform motorists about the six-month “suspension” of the gas tax increase that was slated for July 1st. Gas stations will have to post the signs or face criminal penalties and fines of up to $500 per-day.
“The idea that fuel retailers would have to reach into their own pockets to tell their customers about legislation approved in Springfield and then face heavy fines if they don’t is completely absurd.
There is no Constitutional authority for the State of Illinois to make these ridiculous requirements and if the Governor signs this bill into law, we plan to challenge this requirement in court. It is not the job of our members to run free political advertising for lawmakers who want to pat themselves on the back for simply delaying a tax increase six months.
Voters need to know that the taxes Illinois imposes on a gallon of gas aren’t changing, they’re not being lowered. On July 1 when this new state budget takes effect, the motor fuel tax will remain exactly what it is today. That’s Springfield’s definition of “relief” – taxing you more but doing it later and hoping that no one notices until after an election.”
* AARP Illinois…
At the close of the 2022 Spring Legislative Session, AARP Illinois commends the General Assembly for passing several measures that will significantly enhance the lives of older adults and their loved ones across the state.
For decades, nursing home residents have experienced a severe crisis in quality of care with abuse and neglect.
This is why we fought so hard for reforms to increase staffing and improve quality of care to ensure nursing home residents’ safety and well-being. We are thrilled to see the passage of the Nursing Home Compromise Reform Bill, which invests in and retains quality frontline line staff who provide critical care to Illinois Medicaid nursing home residents. The measure also requires greater transparency of nursing home ownership and revenue.
On behalf of our 1.7 million members and all older adults in Illinois, AARP Illinois also spent four years leading an “Enough is Enough” campaign to pressure lawmakers to address the state’s decades-long fiscal crisis. That is why we are pleased to see a balanced budget this year that takes steps to improve the state’s fiscal health, including a $500 million pension payment, $1 billion for the rainy day fund, and nearly $900 million for the group health insurance bill backlog.
The budget fully funds the state’s Community Care Program, adds an additional $4 million for caregiving and includes property tax rebates and expands the earned income tax credit to those who are 65 and older.
Several measures passed this session will give Illinois residents the equity they deserve and ability to care better for the people they love. SB3490 ensures that LGBTQ voices are represented in state programming and policymaking. The increase in the Community Spouse Asset Allowance means people won’t have to feel forced to give up their belongings when a spouse enters a nursing home and uses Medicaid. And SB 1405 makes sure no one in a nursing home will ever have to die alone again.
And finally, HB 2775 is a triumphant end to housing discrimination that has persisted for years. This bill ensures that renters can no longer be turned away for using Social Security, veteran’s housing benefits or other sources of income if they are otherwise qualified.
With these important measures approved, AARP is committed to making Illinois affordable for those 50+ by working diligently for consumers on pocketbook issues, including efforts to lower the cost of Rx drugs, improve opportunities to keep more of your hard-earned income and assets, expand home and community-based services and keep utility bills in check.
We urge Governor Pritzker to sign these bills into law so that older adults and their families can begin feeling the impact as soon as possible.
* The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence…
After over a decade of largely stagnant funding following recession budget cuts, Illinois made a historic investment today in allocating $70.9 million in general revenue funds for domestic violence services. This increase demonstrates the power of the community of survivors and service providers who passionately advocated for survivors’ needs. We thank Representative Kelly Cassidy, Senator Peters, Representative Mussman, Representative Barbara Hernandez, the Women’s Caucus, and the Latino Caucus for their leadership in championing the needs of domestic violence survivors.
This investment will help address the growing need for services seen throughout the state, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline was contacted by more than 32,000 individuals seeking assistance. These contacts mark over an eight percent increase in communication from 2020, in turn a record-breaking year. With the state’s investment, community-based service providers will be better equipped to meet the growing needs of survivors, particularly around housing, legal advocacy, counseling, and violence-prevention.
State funds will help expand community outreach and provide life-saving education on domestic violence resources. Service providers will be able to start addressing unmet needs for services, particularly shelter and housing. Survivors will have a stronger safety net to meet basic needs as well as the enduring emotional, financial, and legal needs stemming from survivorship. Lastly, these funds will help providers pay their staff the thriving wage they have earned in working as essential workers throughout the pandemic.
Domestic violence programs remained open throughout the pandemic, providing a critical safety net for survivors. With limited funding, service providers struggled to maintain an adequate and equipped staff. With this investment, service providers will be able to sustain and increase their capacity to continue providing essential quality services.
The Network is grateful to the Illinois Legislature for making this investment towards addressing and ending gender-based violence. The Network looks forward to seeing this investment in gender-based violence services continue through legislation in future sessions to help support survivors and service providers. The Network and the gender-based violence community will continue to advocate alongside survivors to push for improved community safety and resources.
* Americans For Prosperity - Illinois…
AFP-IL State Director Jason Heffley released the following statement in response to the budget’s passage:
“At AFP-IL, we fight to break down barriers Illinois families face to reach their potential, and despite the rhetoric, this budget fails to remove any barriers families face in this state. Relying on one-time federal money to ‘balance’ the budget, calling temporary tax freezes tax relief, and failing to address the systemic problems the state’s bloated government has created is not a way to build a state budget. Our activists will continue to call for greater accountability from state government, starting with permanent tax relief for families in the state with the highest tax burden in America.”
* Illinois Council of Convention & Visitor Bureaus…
“Tourism is one of Illinois’ largest and most critically important industries, and destination organizations throughout the state continue to drive economic recovery during the most challenging circumstances we’ve ever faced. The approved budget builds on last year’s strong budget for tourism and is another necessary step to providing the stability we need to attract visitors and business to Illinois–which, in turn, brings customers for our local small businesses and economic security for our communities. Visitors are future residents and talent and we must continually invest in tourism and destination marketing to maintain a competitive position.
“ICCVB is grateful to Governor Pritzker, his Administration, and the State Legislature for their continued support as this budget makes clear that funding for tourism and destination marketing efforts by the Illinois Council of Convention & Visitor Bureaus (ICCVB) and its partners is essential to our State’s broader economic recovery. The Governor and legislators have listened to the hard-hit travel & tourism industry and have helped put the industry on the path to economic recovery from COVID-19. This investment is the necessary fuel we need to drive growth now and with urgency. Our elected leaders are listening and have responded.
“In addition to the state’s investment in tourism marketing, the budget includes a combined $140 million that has been appropriated from the State Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the Tourism Attraction Development Grant Program ($15 million), the Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program ($75 million) and Restaurant Employment and Stabilization Grant Program ($50 million). This level of support is critical to important sectors and partners that have been decimated by the pandemic. We are especially grateful to our champions, Senate Tourism Committee Chair Sara Feigenholtz and House Tourism Committee Chair Lamont Robinson for their continued leadership. They haven’t just supported our requests, they are our strategic partners and understand the value that tourism brings to the entire State of Illinois.
“We have a long road ahead of us but the continued commitment to tourism and the promotion of Illinois is vital to get us back on track and to our pre-pandemic levels. Every $1 spent on tourism promotion results in $11 for our state, which is why we need leisure travel, meetings & conventions, group business, and sports tourism to thrive and to stay competitive against other states on a national level and as we compete on a global stage.”
* Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy…
“Instead of permanent solutions for working families like real tax cuts and reduced spending, Democrats passed temporary election-year gimmicks, a massive increase in spending, and pay raises for politicians. In the face of record inflation and a crushing tax burden, Democrats gave taxpayers a handful of candy and told them to suck it up. They failed to provide real relief to taxpayers and all but guaranteed tax increases when the federal bailout money goes away.”
* Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights…
As the Illinois General Assembly session ended early Saturday morning, immigrant leaders in Illinois celebrated major wins while committing to continue the fight for community resources.
“This year ICIRR members ratified and advocated for a state platform that brings our communities closer to FULL CITIZENSHIP - that means going beyond immigration papers and pushing for policies at all levels of government that allow our families and neighbors to live lives with dignity and respect,” said Lawrence Benito, Executive Director of ICIRR. “Today we’re celebrating landmark wins for ITIN filers receiving tax relief and expanded healthcare to low-income residents aged 42-and-up regardless of immigration status. At the same time, we advocated for $53 million in funding for the Immigrant Services Line Item, and that final number came in under our demand. We will continue to organize with our 100+ statewide members to ensure that this funding source, which has provided tens of thousands of undocumented Illinoisans with direct assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, is made whole.”
