Archives of Positions on Issues

Town Hall Meeting on the Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) - April 16, 2007
Champaign County Lobby Day - April 25, 2007
94^th Assembly of the Illinois Congress – Legislative Issues
     Elimination of Death Tax
     Job Creation and Benefits Tax Credits
     Paint Tax
     Property Taxes – Open Spaces
     Minimum Wage
News-Gazette Guest Commentary Opposing Smoking Ban - October 2005


Town Hall Meeting on the Gross Receipts Tax (GRT)

Monday, April 16, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting with members of our State legislature. The meeting will be held in the Large Conference Room at the Chamber, 1817 S. Neil Street, Suite 201, Champaign.

The Town Hall format will give chamber business leaders a chance to share their concerns and comments about the Governor’s proposed gross receipts tax with Illinois State Senators and Representatives. The following legislators have been invited:

Senator Michael Frerichs, 52^nd District                     Confirmed
Senator Dan Rutherford, 53^rd District                        Confirmation pending
Senator Dale Righter, 55^th District                            Confirmed
Representative Naomi Jakobsson, 103^rd District        Confirmed
Representative William Black, 104^th District              Confirmation pending
Representative Shane Cultra, 105^th District               Confirmed
Representative Chapin Rose, 110^th District               Confirmed

To reserve your seat, contact Norma Wesley at NormaW@champaigncounty.org or 531.4669

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Champaign County Lobby Day

Wednesday, April 25, 2007
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Illinois State Capitol
Springfield, Illinois
Travel by luxury motor coach provided by Peoria Charter Coach

Mark your calendar for this important event! Join with other business and community leaders to make your voice heard in the State Capitol. We can deliver a powerful message to our members in the Illinois General Assembly – all it takes is you. Legislative briefing on the hill and coordinated lobbying visits are planned. Can you afford not to be there? Download the Lobby Day form, or register online, or contact Norma at NormaW@champaigncounty.org and register today.

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94^th Assembly of the Illinois Congress – Legislative Issues

Elimination of Death Tax

Several bills have been presented to eliminate the death tax that was created in 2003.  This legislation will be important for family owned businesses, small business owners and family farmers wishing to leave the business to children.  Bills presented that address this issue: HB0275 (family owned businesses), HB0530 (small business owners), SB0497 (family farmers and small business owners).

Government Council’s Recommendation:  The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce should support the elimination of the death tax for small business – small business as defined by the Federal and State rules.

Job Creation and Benefits Tax Credits

Use of tax credits (such as EDGE and credit for employees/employers with health benefits and health insurance expenditures) as an effective tool for encouraging job growth in Illinois and promote Illinois as a job friendly state.  EGDE encourages economic development.  The other tax credits help to offset the rising cost of health care insurance that job providers and their employees pay.

Tax credits to small businesses have been proposed to help create incentives for the businesses to provide health insurance to their employees and provide relief for high health care prices.  Bills presented that address this issue: HB1566 ($500 per employee for the increase in the number of employees at a place of business that are also provided with health benefits. It is a one-time credit for new hires); HB0554 (EDGE tax credit extended to a duration of 15 years.  The current duration is 10-years). SB0496 (tax credit for small businesses in the amount equal to the amount of expenditures for health care insurance).

Government Council Recommendation:

• Edge Tax Credit extension – The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce should support the 5-year extension of the EDGE tax credit for business expansion and relocation.

• Health Care Tax Credits – The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce should support tax credits for small business that offers health insurance.

Paint Tax

Creates a new .20 cent tax on each gallon of paint sold in the state and deposits the money into a special fund.  This legislation will creates higher costs for businesses and consumers for a fund that the IL EPA has not yet determined its use. Bills presented that address this issue: SB0121.

Government Council Recommendation:  The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce should oppose this proposed tax.  It is unfairly designed and the purpose of the fund has yet to be designated.

Property Taxes – Open Spaces

It is being proposed to eliminate property tax rules for calculating taxes on areas deemed open spaces for businesses.  It would increase property taxes on businesses that voluntarily set aside part of their property for open spaces.  Taking away this tax incentive punishes companies who are trying to promote open spaces in urban areas.  Bills presented that address this issue: SB1761.

Government Council Position:  The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce should not support the elimination of property tax rules for calculating taxes on areas deemed as open spaces for business. 

Paid Leave Acts

Several proposed pieces of legislation address the expansion of paid leave acts applying to all private employers.  While well intentioned, this would force employers to take on a paid leave program when many are struggling to retain employees.  No exemptions for small businesses that will be adversely impacted with an additional leave burden and adds to the cost of doing business in Illinois. Bills presented that address this issue: HB0324 (organ/blood donor leave), HB0593 (service member employment tenure – seniority status and wages retained while on tour of duty), HB0594 (job protection provided to volunteer emergency workers), HB0659 (FMLA expansion to include paid leave when in-laws have serious health conditions), HB1137 (paid leave for voting), SB0006 (expands school activity leave act), HB3470 (FMLA paid leave – tax paid by employer for each employees choosing to use the FMLA expanded program).

Minimum Wage

A couple of bills are proposed seeking to annually adjust Illinois’ minimum wage to the consumer price index for urban wage earners.  Further increasing the wage (which is already above the federal standard) will kill jobs in Illinois, add greater costs to Illinois employers, and cut off job opportunities for entry-level workers.  It would be especially devastating to rural communities because the wage could be tied to urban prices.  Reduction of employment and raised costs for consumers will be seen in the services and hospitality industry if there is an elimination of the employer tip credit in an amount not to exceed 40% of the applicable minimum wage rate.

Bills presented that address this issue: HB0411 (Annual Adjustments), HB0658 (No tip credit), SB0037 (Annual Adjustments)

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News-Gazette Guest Commentary Opposing Smoking Ban

In October 2005 a guest commentary was printed in the News-Gazette from the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce board of directors. Click here to read the document.

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