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* UPDATED x5 * EV bill prospects looking up

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* I’ve been telling subscribers about the glitches in the electric vehicle industry bill for a while now. As of last night, things were looking much better. It’s not completely there yet, however, and a formal deal has not been struck. But it does appear to be on track at least for now. Here’s Greg Hinz…

In better shape at the moment is the [electric-vehicle manufacturing incentive] package, which would offer potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in incentives aimed at luring electric vehicle makers and suppliers here to follow downstate’s Rivian—and at helping Ford’s South Side plant and the Stellantis facility near Rockford to make the transition from producing gas-powered cars to vehicles of the future.

After a long day of bargaining, insiders tell me a deal has been struck between the industry and labor groups that appears satisfactory to both sides.

The terms were not available, and nothing is done until it’s done. But I’m told that it looks good.

Unions have been asking for a “labor peace” agreement at any new EV facility, essentially clearing the way for unionization of plant workers. The industry had very, very strongly objected, and sent signals that such a clause would be a deal-killer.

On a related note, the folks at Rivian took me for a ride in their new truck yesterday. It’s pretty darned nifty. And, wow, is it ever fast. It accelerates from 0-60 in 3 seconds and that heavy torque makes it feel like riding in a space ship.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Looks like ABATE is getting its wish. From the synopsis to Senate Floor Amendment 2 to HB1769…

In the definition provisions of the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, removes electric motorcycles from an exclusion to the definition of “electric vehicle”.

*** UPDATE 2 *** The legislation is being teed up in the Senate for passage.

*** UPDATE 3 *** From ABATE…

Senate Amendment 2 was withdrawn in committee due to auto dealers objections.

Senate Amendment 1 was adopted with a promise to get Amendment 3 on the floor. Unfortunately amendment 3 doesn’t have motorcycle language in it, so we believe motorcycles are once again excluded.

Going to be an interesting evening

*** UPDATE 4 *** ABATE misread Amendment 3…

They ditched amendment 2 in committee because of objections from the auto dealers. So the language regarding manufacturing incentives and getting motorcycles included is right at the top of amendment 3. As well as the requested language from auto dealers.

*** UPDATE 5 *** ABATE…

ABATE of Illinois Congratulates Illinois General Assembly on Passage of Reimagining Electric Vehicles Act

Legislators show the path to growing electric vehicle industry is including all electric vehicles

ABATE of Illinois would like to congratulate the members of the Illinois General Assembly for passing the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act. This Act provides manufacturing incentives for electric vehicle companies and component manufacturers who choose to build their businesses in Illinois. It also makes changes to the procurement code, incentivizing government adoption of EVs. More importantly, this Act recognizes electric motorcycles as part of the electric vehicle industry.

ABATE thanks the many Senators and Representatives who realize the best path forward in growing the electric vehicle industry is to include all electric vehicles.

We would like to thank Senator Steve Stadelman for working on amendments to make sure motorcycles were a part of this future for Illinois, along with Senator Jason Barickman who advocated for motorcyclists during committee hearings on the bill.

ABATE would also like to thank Representative Dave Vella for talking with us and Rivian representatives about this legislation along with Representatives Stephanie Kifowit & Kelly Cassidy for their advocacy on the House floor.

With the passage of this Act, ABATE hopes to see electric motorcycles placed on equal footing as their four wheeled counterparts in Illinois transportation planning and incentives. ABATE will work with legislative partners and other advocacy groups to remove language contained in the recently passed Energy Transition Act that excluded electric motorcycles from participating in infrastructure planning and incentives. Senate Bill 2940 has bipartisan support and would treat motorcycles as equal. ABATE looks forward to continuing work with Illinois legislators on developing the future of Illinois transportation.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 8:57 am

Comments

“It accelerates from 0-60 in 3 seconds and that heavy torque makes it feel like riding in a space ship”

Great news. Our streets are far too safe.

Comment by The Opinions Bureau Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 9:03 am
If certain members of the EV industry would rather leave hundreds of millions in subsidies on the table than allow workers to truly make up their own mind as to unionization, they can take a walk.

Comment by The 5th Deputy Governor Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 9:10 am
Time for Oscar to get a test ride to determine if he approves of the ability to hang his head out while being driven around by Rich.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 9:11 am
=== If certain members of the EV industry would rather leave hundreds of millions in subsidies on the table than allow workers to truly make up their own mind as to unionization, they can take a walk.===

Don’t listen to the 5th Deputy Governor. We’re not playing in a theoretical game, we’re actually competing with other states who won’t hesitate to do some of these things. Don’t make a dumb deal and over subsidize the companies obviously, but also don’t lose thousands of jobs because of special interests having their hands out wanting special treatment either.

Comment by AD Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 9:21 am
Their workers are special interests now?

Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 9:25 am
== don’t lose thousands of jobs because of special interests having their hands out wanting special treatment ==

Yes, those pesky “special interests” like workers.

Comment by OldSmoky2 Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 9:27 am
===Their workers are special interests now?===

Special Interest Defnition: a group of people or an organization seeking or receiving special advantages, typically through political lobbying.

Are they not seeking special advantages through political lobbying?

Comment by AD Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 9:34 am
=== on’t listen to the 5th Deputy Governor. We’re not playing in a theoretical game, we’re actually competing with other states who won’t hesitate to do some of these things. Don’t make a dumb deal and over subsidize the companies obviously, but also don’t lose thousands of jobs because of special interests having their hands out wanting special treatment either.===

For one thing, a labor peace agreement is not a one-sided deal. In exchange for not actively disparaging employee efforts to unionize, unions agree to not strike it otherwise disrupt operations.

It’s simple: let the workers decide. It’s their right under federal labor law. I know it sounds radical (/s) but maybe more states should decide to stand up for their working class residents and actively encourage collective bargaining when hundreds of millions in public subsidies are at stake…

Comment by The 5th Deputy Governor Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 9:34 am
===I know it sounds radical (/s) but maybe more states should decide to stand up for their working class residents and actively encourage collective bargaining when hundreds of millions in public subsidies are at stake===

I don’t disagree theoretically, but in reality we’re competing against other states who won’t hesitate to kowtow on those issues. We’re not in a bubble.

Comment by AD Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 9:39 am
Right - let workers decide. No labor peace agreement in law that forces unionization.

You cannot unionize jobs if there are no jobs. Labor should encourage these jobs to locate in IL first and then try and unionize them.

Comment by 4 percent Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 9:41 am
== Right - let workers decide. No labor peace agreement in law that forces unionization.==

But that’s not how labor peace agreements work…

Comment by The 5th Deputy Governor Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 9:45 am
==You cannot unionize jobs if there are no jobs. Labor should encourage these jobs to locate in IL first and then try and unionize them.==

That sounds exactly like what they’re doing…

Hundreds of millions in subsidies are at stake to lure these companies here, labor is on board with it. It just sounds like they’re not on board with the same companies receiving millions from the state opposing worker efforts to organize…

They won’t be unionizing anyone unless the workers hired by these employers want to be union - labor peace agreement or not, it’s up to them.

Comment by The 5th Deputy Governor Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 9:50 am
Was it the same one that picked up Bezos from the launchpad?

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 10:09 am
Why does Rivian need more money? Havent they gotten a ton from investors already? Why aren’t the free market folks screaming? This is government meddling in the free market is it not?
Rivian was able to attract private investment, why do they need more money?

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 10:14 am
@Honeybear - This is about attracting other companies around places like the Rivian plant that could produce parts or components for EVs. Like a Samsung battery plant.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 11:21 am
IMHO, these so-called Labor Peace Agreements undermines the National Labor Relations Act. If an employer is required to sign one of these Peace Agreements as a condition for the company to do business in Illinois, where was the choice by workers to choose whether or not they wished to be represented? Nowhere. These strong-arm tactics of unions who otherwise have been largely unsuccessful in convincing rank and file workers to vote in favor of unionization should cease. The NLRA has worked well over the years. There’s no reason to undermine it now.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 11:37 am
hisgirlfriday- I apologize, I thought this bill would give more money to Rivian as well. It would attract other auxilary companies but I was under the impression that Rivian would get more too. Is that not the case? I will stand corrected if wrong.
My concern is giving large corporations more leverage of us to extort more money like the energy companies do every year.
Once you give in to them once they keep coming back for more.
But I might be wrong about what the bill does. I will stand corrected as I always do.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 11:49 am
===Once you give in to them once they keep coming back for more.===

The same exact thing could be said about the unions in Illinois. For example, the Governor has been in negotiations for months regarding requiring employees that work with individuals with physical and developmental disabilities to get vaccinated during a global pandemic for crying out loud. That should be a no-brainer and not something that is drawn out for months. Every little thing doesn’t require a months long negotiation.

Comment by AD Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 12:06 pm
==You cannot unionize jobs if there are no jobs. Labor should encourage these jobs to locate in IL first and then try and unionize them.==

People get the job first then they vote to be represented either by an election or by card checks. The people have to be in a group first to ask that group to be represented. Random people who have nothing to do with the job don’t get a vote.

== If an employer is required to sign one of these Peace Agreements as a condition for the company to do business in Illinois, where was the choice by workers to choose whether or not they wished to be represented? Nowhere.==

Nope.

It’s still up to the workers to certify a union or not.

Comment by All this Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 12:19 pm
- Commonsense in Illinois - Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 11:37 am:

Labor peace agreements require unions not to strike or picket, galaxy brain.

Comment by Shield Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 12:26 pm
I thought we were trying to get rid of tax loopholes for big businesses?

Comment by Just Me 2 Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 4:59 pm
The electric car companies in Illinois are going to need all the help they can get. Cheap Chinese cars, pickup trucks and vans are going to show up in a very few years. I read a company called BYD thinks they can compete even without subsidies.

Comment by DuPage Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 9:44 pm
My past experience would agree with “All” and “Commonsense”. Owner can put a Project Labor Agreement in place for CONSTRUCTION Trades Labor, but NLRA Precludes Owners from involvements with Shop Unions. Strange arguments?

Comment by Joe Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 10:20 pm
== Owner can put a Project Labor Agreement in place for CONSTRUCTION Trades Labor, but NLRA Precludes Owners from involvements with Shop Unions. Strange arguments?==

Not at all. The owners aren’t establishing a company union nor are they endorsing one particular union nor any union at all.

Comment by 17% Solution Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 6:51 am