January 12, 2007

Welcome to the NFIB/Illinois’ Capitol Roundup. Capitol Roundup is an e-mail newsletter on news being made at the Illinois Statehouse and on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C, as it happens. This e-mail is provided to our activist members who have shown an interest in promoting the voice of small business to state and federal policymakers. Capitol Roundup will appear regularly during legislative sessions.

This week was the last of the 94^th General Assembly and the swearing in for the new 95^th General Assembly. As well, the Governor and all constitutional officers were sworn into office. If you have access to the Internet please check out www.nfib.com/il - the section is updated regularly as new developments take place or legislation is introduced.

WANING DAYS OF 94^TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRODUCED LITTLE

Despite lots of rhetoric, Illinois lawmakers did not stop, or reduce, the electricity rate hikes that went into affect Jan. 1.

The 94^th G.A. met for a few days this week attempting to wrap up some important issues, but the leaders could not hammer out any compromises.

Another issue that didn’t pass but is expected to be revived is in regards to Cook County property taxes and shifting the burden away from residential owners to commercial owners. This horrible public policy, unfortunately, is not confined to Cook County as any of Illinois’ 102 counties can adopt this “classification” system utilized in Cook County.

95^th GENERAL ASSEMBLY SWORN IN

The new 95^th General Assembly was sworn into office this week, along with all the constitutional officers. Illinois has a two-year General Assembly cycle, so starting on January 10 there is a clean slate with brand new legislation being introduced. Any leftover issues from the 94^th G.A. are no longer viable and will have to be re-introduced in the 95^th.

Due to election results from the fall, the makeup of the Illinois Senate now has 37 Democrats and 22 Republicans. This gives the Illinois Senate Democrats a “super” majority. The Illinois House now has 63 Democrats and 49 Republicans. All constitutional officers are also Democrat.

The Legislative session will begin in earnest February 6 with a scheduled adjournment date May 31.

You may access all newly introduced legislation at http://www.ilga.gov/

as well as www.nfib.com/il for weekly updates.

SPEAKER TOUTS PLAN TO MOVE ILLINOIS PRIMARY DATE

Speaker Michael Madigan announced in is inaugural address to the Illinois House that he would push to move Illinois’ primary election date from mid-March early February. His goal, he stated, was to help U.S. Senator Barack Obama in his quest to be president of the United States.

Senate President Emil Jones did not immediately jump on the bandwagon, stating he wanted to speak with Senator Obama first.

Metro-East Area Action Council – The MEAAC will meet Tuesday - January 23, 2007, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Boccardi’s Ristorante at 117 South Main, Columbia, IL. The topic up for discussion is electricity costs and rate hikes. A representative from Ameren Illinois as well as Citizens Utility Board will be there to talk and answer questions. Cost: $10.00 for salad, pizza and soft drink. For information on AACs contact Mark Grant at 217-523-5471 or mark.grant@nfib.org.