* WAND…

The Illinois Senate passed a plan to provide more educational opportunities for young people serving time in the Department of Corrections.

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice could be required to establish an emerging adult program for individuals 18 to 21 in Illinois prisons.

Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) said her bill would allow these young people to participate in individual or group therapy, case management, vocational training and higher education opportunities. […]

Qualifying prisoners would have the opportunity to transfer to the Illinois Youth Center in Harrisburg for educational and holistic services. While Senate Republicans appreciated the intent of the bill, they are concerned about logistics for prisons and juvenile detention centers. […]

Senate Bill 426 passed out of the Senate on a 41-15 vote. The House could discuss the legislation during the final three weeks of session this month.

* Press release…

Hundreds of community leaders, environmental advocates, faith leaders, business representatives, consumer groups, students and state legislators will rally at the Lincoln Statue outside of the Illinois State Capitol Building in support of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) Platform, a slate of legislation that would double down on Illinois’ bold climate policy and secure an equitable, affordable and healthy future for all Illinoisans.

The rally is part of the annual Climate Action Lobby Day. This year, nearly 400 Illinoisans are expected to lobby in support of the ICJC Platform, which includes the Clean and Reliable Grid Act (SB3637), the Clean and Healthy Buildings Act (SB3935), and the Clean and Equitable Transportation Act (HB5829). The Clean and Reliable Grid Act will accelerate clean energy deployment and strengthen the capacity and reliability of our electric grid. The Clean and Healthy Buildings Act capitalizes on the benefits of transitioning the heating systems and appliances that power homes and buildings to clean energy. The Clean and Equitable Transportation Act addresses vehicle pollution by electrifying public transportation and vehicles while also offering comprehensive solutions that improve walkability, bikeability and overall transit reform. In addition, activists will urge the General Assembly to swiftly pass the Carbon Dioxide Transport and Storage Protections Act (SB2421), which protects Illinois communities and our land and water from the risks associated with Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS).  
 
WHAT: Climate Action Rally

WHEN: Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. CT

WHERE: Lincoln Statue, Illinois State Capitol, S 2nd Street, Springfield, Illinois 62756 and live-streamed via facebook.com/ilcleanjobs.

* Legal Sports Report…

Gov. JB Pritzker has suggested raising the Illinois sports betting tax rate to 35% from 15%.

The Sports Betting Alliance, which represents BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel, has been encouraging consumers to reach out to state lawmakers to help stop the potential hike.

A spokesperson for the SBA told LSR this week that a combined 25,000 emails have already been sent to the Illinois legislature and Gov. Pritzker.

The SBA’s website lists three main bullet points for why this issue matters:

- More taxes mean worse odds for players
- Customers will have access to fewer promotions and bonuses
- A tax hike will increase illegal offshore sports betting (they pay 0% taxes)

Here’s more background from a March Daily Herald article…

Tucked into the Democratic governor’s recent fiscal year 2025 budget plan is a proposal to begin taxing profits from sportsbooks at 35% instead of the current 15%. Pritzker said the move is expected to generate an additional $200 million a year in tax revenue.

It’s one of several “revenue adjustment” ideas in the budget plan that could help generate nearly $1 billion extra for the state in the coming year, according to the proposed budget.

“From Day One, Gov. Pritzker has taken action to ensure corporations are paying their fair share,” said Alex Gough, the governor’s press secretary. “Since the legalization of sports betting in Illinois, gaming companies have enjoyed one of the lowest sports wagering tax rates in the nation. In that time, the sports betting industry has exploded, and corporations are raking in huge profits. […]

Currently, 30 states impose taxes on sports betting. At 15%, Illinois’ rate is lower than only eight other states. Louisiana, Maryland and Virginia also tax sportsbook profits at 15%, according to the Tax Foundation.

But states including New York, New Hampshire, Delaware and Rhode Island all charge 50% or more.

* Legislation cracking down on shoulder parking near O’Hare will be heard tomorrow in the Senate Executive Committee. Here’s the latest amendment…

Provides that a person operating a motor vehicle shall not stop or stand the person’s vehicle on a shoulder of a highway along traffic routes within a one-half mile radius of: (1) the eastern entrance to O’Hare International Airport; and (2) the intersection of Interstate 90 and Interstate 294 (rather than a 2-mile radius surrounding O’Hare International Airport). Requires the Illinois Toll Highway Authority to install and maintain automated traffic safety systems along traffic routes within a one-half mile radius of: (1) the eastern entrance to O’Hare International Airport; and (2) the intersection of Interstate 90 and Interstate 294 (rather than a 2-mile radius surrounding O’Hare International Airport). Provides that language prohibiting stopping or standing within one-half mile of O’Hare International Airport do not apply if the driver of the vehicle received a Uniform Traffic Citation from a police officer at the time of the violation for the same offense. Provides that recorded images made by an automated traffic safety system are confidential and shall be made available only (i) to the alleged violator and governmental and law enforcement agencies; or (ii) in response to a lawful subpoena. Provides that a recorded image evidencing a violation of this Act may be admissible in a proceeding resulting from the issuance of a citation. Provides that proceeds from fines shall be deposited into the State Police Law Enforcement Administration Fund (rather than the Illinois State Police Highway Enforcement Fund). Removes provisions creating the Illinois State Police Highway Enforcement Fund as a special fund in the State treasury.

* Capitol News Illinois…

House Republicans have proposed seven bills to improve human trafficking protections and penalties. The bills focus on protections for minors and prosecuting perpetrators. […]

House Bill 5465 would allow a human trafficking victim to have their juvenile record from crimes committed while being trafficked as a minor sealed or expunged. The proposal is an extension of House Bill 2418, which granted similar provisions to people who were trafficked as adults. The law was signed by Gov. JB Pritzker last year following unanimous approval by lawmakers and took effect on Jan. 1, 2024. It also allows the victim to petition remotely, and to have the petition sealed. […]

HB 5465 unanimously passed the House on April 17 and unanimously passed out of the Senate Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety on May 1. The bill now awaits Senate consideration. […]

La Ha’s House Bill 5467 unanimously passed the House on April 17. It would remove the statute of limitations for a victim to press charges of trafficking, involuntary servitude, and involuntary sexual servitude that occurred when the victim was a minor. Under current law the prosecution must start within 25 years of the victim turning 18. […]

La Ha and House Republicans have sponsored other related bills that remain in committee, some of them focusing on penalties for traffickers. Since two key deadlines for a bill’s passage have already passed, the proposals seem unlikely to move forward this year.

* Protect Illinois Hospitality…

Protect Illinois Hospitality today announced the addition of five new organizations joining the coalition of tipped workers, service operators, and local businesses who want to preserve the tip credit in Illinois. These new members include the Chicago Southland Black Chamber of Commerce, Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, McLean County Chamber of Commerce, Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce, and the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce – bringing the coalition up to 26 members.
 
“The hospitality industry in Illinois is a strong economic driver to the state’s economy. We have some of the best breweries, restaurants, and hotels in the world and we should be doing what we can to help these businesses continue to prosper and grow,” said Lou Sandoval, President and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. “However, policy changes are being discussed that would eliminate the tip credit, effectively hurting the heart and soul of what makes those businesses special – the people. That is not the path that we should take as it will impact our small independent operators in communities all over the state the most. We hope Illinois legislators will reject these plans and vote no on any measure that will eliminate the tip credit on hospitality workers.”
 
Introduced earlier this year, HB 5345 would fundamentally alter the way restaurants, bars, breweries, hotels, and other businesses who use the tip credit pay their employees, leading to less take-home pay for workers and increased costs for both restaurants and consumers.
 
Every tipped employee in Illinois already makes at least the minimum wage, and several studies have shown that tipped workers have higher earning potential in the current system than they would if the tip credit were eliminated. Under the current system, businesses pay a portion of the tipped employee’s hourly minimum wage, with the rest being made up by tips to equal at least the full state-mandated minimum wage. The base wage for tipped employees in Illinois is currently $8.40 per hour, and minimum wage is $14 per hour. If employees do not make at least $14 per hour with combined base wage and tips, businesses are required by law to pay the difference to ensure that every tipped worker makes at least minimum wage.
 
Most restaurant operators in Illinois use the tip credit to pay employees. According to National Restaurant Association research, the median tipped restaurant worker in Illinois currently earns $28.48 per hour. In a recent survey of Illinois servers, bartenders, and other tipped staff, 87% agreed that the current tipping system works well for them and should not be changed, and a majority believe eliminating the tip credit will lead to customers tipping less and overall lower take-home pay.
 
In addition to lowering take-home pay for workers, eliminating the tip credit puts thousands of workers at risk of losing their jobs. In May 2023, Washington, D.C. became the first jurisdiction in the nation in more than 20 years to begin eliminating the tip credit and since then, more than 3,700 full-service restaurant jobs have been lost.
 
Eliminating the tip credit would also harm businesses across Illinois that are already facing significant economic and regulatory challenges, especially small businesses. Restaurants, bars, breweries, hotels, and other businesses who use the tip credit would be forced to pass the increased cost on to consumers to try to make ends meet, and many would still need to cut shifts or tipped staff positions or permanently close. Illinois diners have indicated they would be likely to change their dining habits if restaurants increase menu prices or implement automatic service charges to offset increased labor costs, further adding to the burden on restaurants already operating on thin profit margins. […]

In addition to the new members, Protect Illinois Hospitality includes the National Restaurant Association, Illinois Restaurant Association, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Cosmetologists Chicago, Greater Oakbrook Chamber of Commerce, Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Hospitality Business Association of Chicago, Illinois Licensed Beverage Association, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Magnificent Mile Association, Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, Naperville Development Partnership, National Federation of Independent Business, Sysco, Takeout 25, and Wine and Spirits Distributors of Illinois.