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* Route Fifty…
State agencies and local governments in Illinois would be barred from entering into economic development deals where the terms cannot be revealed publicly because of nondisclosure provisions, under a bill that a state lawmaker there filed this week.
Lawmakers in Florida and New York have introduced similar legislation in the past year or so. State Sen. Robert Peters, a Chicago Democrat, is the lead sponsor on the Illinois bill. In an announcement, he said it is meant to curtail practices that enable businesses to reach favorable arrangements with governments without the public knowing the details.
“Public money deserves public scrutiny,” Peters said in a statement. “Keeping the government contracts that our governments enter into a secret allows states and local governments to be played against one another. Taxpayers deserve basic transparency from their economic development agencies.”
* People need to get their bills filed and assigned to committees…
The widespread cancellations were quite something, but I suppose nobody is accustomed to the early timeline.
— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) January 12, 2022
* This bill has been filed, but it hasn’t even been assigned to committee yet. Still, an early start to kill it isn’t a bad plan…
Illinois residents could be paying more taxes at the pump according to newly introduced legislation that the Illinois Fuel and Retail Association is calling on lawmakers to reject.
House Bill 4424, sponsored by Representative Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside), would allow all municipalities in Illinois to impose their own local gas tax. Taxes continue to increase the high price of motor fuel in Illinois, which according to the Tax Foundation, already has the second highest gas taxes in the country.
“There is never a good time to increase the cost of gasoline for working families, but this is especially true during a period of record inflation,” said Josh Sharp, CEO of the Illinois Fuel and Retail Association. “Given what is happening nationally right now, raising taxes on motor fuel is a terrible idea. Illinois citizens are already facing a huge tax hike come July 1, 2022, when the state’s gas tax will automatically be adjusted for inflation. We strongly urge lawmakers to reject this legislation.
Not only will this measure increase the cost of motor fuel in Illinois beyond what it already is, but it also will create a logistical nightmare for gas stations. This ill-conceived legislation comes at the worst possible time as consumers are struggling to keep up with rising prices due to inflation and supply chain disruptions. We don’t need more gas taxes. Illinois motorists are taxed enough.”
House Bill 4424 has been filed and awaits assignment to a legislative committee.
* Some committees have met…
With a quorum present, #SenMentalHealth is called to order by Chair @SenatorFine. The first measure up today is SB 2945 creating the Statewide 9-8-8 Trust Fund in the State Treasury.
— IL Senate Democrats (@ILSenDems) January 11, 2022
SB 2945, sponsored by @SenatorFine, creates the Statewide 9-8-8 Trust Fund to establish and maintain a statewide 9-8-8 suicide prevention and mental health crisis system pursuant to the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020.
— IL Senate Democrats (@ILSenDems) January 11, 2022
* Press release…
On Tuesday, State Representative Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) filed legislation that would require the randomization of the order of candidate names on Illinois ballots in primary, general, and consolidated elections. House Bill 4467 would require candidate names to be randomly ordered within each election district or precinct.
“Candidates should not win close elections simply because they won a lottery to be first on the ballot,” said Rep. Batinick. “This occurs often, especially in races where voters vote for more than one candidate, including county, village, and school board elections. I’m proud to file House Bill 4467 to address this issue and increase fairness in elections.”
This legislation also requires the State Board of Elections to choose a vendor for a computer software program to be used by election authorities and the Board would conduct the randomization for elections. It also requires—to the extent that is mathematically possible—each random order is different between all the precincts or election districts that are electing the name or names contained in each race on the ballot.
Rep. Batinick has released additional election integrity legislation in the 102nd General Assembly. This includes House Bill 1920, which would amend the Election Code to require a county clerk or board of election commissioners to cross-check voter registration rolls with the National Change of Address System. He also introduced House Bill 4137 to establish an automatic voter registration program for individuals filing a change-of-address form, renewal application, or application for a FOID card or CCL.
…Adding… With a hat tip to a commenter, here’s the synopsis of HB4419, sponsored by Rep. Chris Miller (no relation)…
Amends the Election Code. Provides that each petition or certificate of nomination shall include a statement that the person is not affiliated with any socialist organization.
Hilarious.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 12:47 pm
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““Candidates should not win close elections simply because they won a lottery to be first on the ballot,” said Rep. Batinick.”
Very smart - although I would miss the drama of local pols, coffee in hand waiting before dawn to try and be first in line for the village clerk’s office to open up.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 1:16 pm
I know I’m stupid, but I seem to remember primaries in Illinois being held in March and the legislative session lasted into May.
So why are they in a hurry-up this year with a June primary?
Comment by Curious citizen Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 1:23 pm
HB4419 is also just a bill.
Totally unrelated. I am of the opinion that filing a bill which is so blatantly prohibited by the constitution should lead to censures much more often than it does.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 1:35 pm
State Rep. Batnick’s legislation could be interesting. I assume this would mean that the first hour filing of the first day and the last hour filing of the last day would no longer be a thing? If that was the case I wonder if that would mean less people filing during that first hour.
Comment by MZ Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 1:37 pm
Let’s not forget, illinois is one of only a handful of states who levy a sales tax as well as motor fuel taxes on fuel sales,so municipalities already receive some revenue from fuel sales. How about eliminate the state portion of the fuel sales tax and authorize the municipalities to levy up to 1 per cent on fuel sales.
Comment by Nitemayor Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 1:37 pm
randomize
Not a bad idea, but a printing nightmare to randomize EACH precinct!
Comment by Fav Human Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 1:37 pm
===So why are they in a hurry-up this year with a June primary?===
I could be wrong but I believe this was all over the new maps. Essentially it was to buy more time. The primary, at least as it stands now, will go back to March after this year.
Comment by MZ Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 1:38 pm
===any socialist organization===
Does it define what a socialist organization is? I think Representative Millers’ payments from the USDA would represent his involvement with a socialist program.
Hopefully Minority Leader Durkin seas this bill and understands that this is why his party doesn’t advance more legislation or win more elections and maybe should rubber stamp an approval on the members of his caucus that declare war on the American people.
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 1:56 pm
And to think my taxes help pay Representative Miller’s salary. I demand a refund!
Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 1:57 pm
= State Rep. Batnick’s legislation could be interesting.=
Especially the one that automatically purges voter registrations for anyone who has changed their address.
There are many people who have addresses outside of the US, are still citizens of the US, and are legally allowed to vote at their last residence in the US. Under rep Batinicks bill, these voters, which are always absentee voters, would have their completely legal voter registrations purged.
I’ve read his bill. Nothing in what he has submitted addresses this common issue. Almost as if purging absentee voters, who tend to vote for democratic candidates, is the intent.
This bill is either sloppy, or malicious.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 2:02 pm
= shall include a statement that the person is not affiliated with any socialist organization. =
So, Joe McCarthy has moved from Wisconsin to Illinois.
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 2:05 pm
===any socialist organization===
And we mean you, you volunteer fire-fighter, PBS viewer, public library card-holding scum. /s
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 2:07 pm
===is not affiliated with any socialist organization===
Yeah, anti-democratic citizens shouldn’t be allowed to run for office. Oh, wait, I thought it said the 3 percenters.
Comment by Jibba Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 2:13 pm
Wonder if Chris Miller would label the Democratic Party a “socialist organization,” and if so, does he think the entire party should be outlawed?
Comment by vern Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 2:18 pm
Chris Miller man you would’ve loved the McCarthy days, too bad you can’t go back there.
Rep Zalewski obviously has a safe seat. Could you imagine Hoffman or Costa Howard or Ying Ling running that bill? Obviously the IML who hates Springfield government wants Springfield to allow them to tax however their folks want? Bad idea gas prices have increased heavily the last year and will continue to rise as folks go back into work and start driving fully again.
Comment by Frank talks Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 2:27 pm
The IL Supreme Court just heard arguments today on a Cook Co challenge to the “lockbox amendment” governing gas tax diversions
Comment by Ares Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 2:28 pm
Peters’ bill, while well intentioned, would kill a whole lot of economic development projects, including many of the EV and data center deals the Administration is courting. In the many cases where IL is in the top 5 but not the sought after state, the company will simply cross us off the list.
Comment by Southside Johnny Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 2:33 pm
establish an automatic voter registration program for individuals filing a change-of-address form, renewal application, or application for a FOID card or CCL.
FOID cardholders are generally, (based on years of going to the range) already registered and active voters. But hey the more the merrier.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 2:34 pm
=shall include a statement that the person is not affiliated with any socialist organization.=
Chris Miller…the 1950’s called and they want their cause back.
I mean is it possible he is this dumb? Serious question.
He is a practicing socialist, is he going to lie? So is his good buddy Bailey and their beloved trump, who added to the subsidies after he figured out his trade war with China might backfire.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 2:36 pm
I think we might have missed an opportunity with Representative Chris Miller’s new bill.
Can we get him to define what he thinks a socialist is on video? And then ask him to list examples of socialist organizations?
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 3:07 pm
Isn’t the local Motor Fuel Tax (HB4424) being introduced to acknowledge the the discrepancy brought up during the energy debate last session, in which Rep Jacobs asked why electric vehicle credits were only available in Cook County?
That debate specifically noted that Cook has a local tax to make these tax credits available, so if this is actually the intent of the bill, then the discussion surrounding it should be framed as such.
Comment by Matty Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 3:31 pm
I took a trip last weekend to record a song with a friend. I paid $2.76 outside Springfield, MO, and $2.79 in Hannibal, MO. Currently, gas is $3.45 in Macomb, IL. I can’t wait for the new local taxes.
Comment by H-W Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 3:41 pm
@Frank Talks - we passed a version of this in the 2019 capital bill, but as a negotiated agreement with concerned members we limited it to Cook County. So, hopefully, the backlash won’t be all that harsh. I’ve been known to kill my own bills before.
Comment by Zed Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 3:48 pm
Ordinary people should not foot the bill for econ development expenditures on wealthy companies and their billionaire “in your face” owners. Spend the money on strengthening our public colleges instead, to educate the next generation of citizens and taxpayers.
Comment by Ares Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 4:10 pm
Some representative needs to file an amendment to HB4419 prohibiting anyone who participated in an insurrection or a coordinated action to prevent the lawful certification of an election from running for office.
Seriously, someone do it. Now.
Comment by You could say that Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 4:23 pm
How is “randomization” of names on a ballot any different than a lottery?
Comment by duck duck goose Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 5:22 pm
===(Durkin) says his party’s bills rarely see the light of day.===
Miller’s bill is a good example of why Durkin should simply thank the Majority for burying this garbage deep in the legislative landfill that is the House Rules Committee.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 5:24 pm
===This bill [Batinick’s] is either sloppy, or malicious.===
Don’t forget that it could be both [banned punctuation]
Comment by LeslieK Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 6:08 pm
“How is “randomization” of names on a ballot any different than a lottery?”
ballot position is a coveted prize pols. Candidates want to be either first or last on the ballot. They all play the game of trying to be first - if they get early to the clerk’s office at 8 am the early simultaneous filers can be in a lottery for the first spot
(10 ILCS 5/10-6.2) (from Ch. 46, par. 10-6.2)
It is super complicated - better to just let candidates file whenever during the filing period and go with randomized ballot order
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 6:36 pm
=I think Representative Millers’ payments from the USDA would represent his involvement with a socialist program.=
Both Miller and Bailey “belong” to the Illinois Farm Bureau which advocates for subsidies and other aide to farmers.
If they are not a socialist organization then one does not exist.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 7:00 pm