Policy Statements

Guiding Statements on Issues

Champaign County Chamber of Commerce

Board of Director’s Re-Adoption September 2006

1. Purpose of the Statements
The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce provides decisive action so that business thrives; communities and infrastructure grow; and all people enjoy an ever-improving quality of life. We serve our growing membership by advocating for business, by leading healthy alliances and by promoting Champaign County as the best place to do business. These guiding statements outline the Chamber’s general posture in the areas that affect the business environment and quality of life in the community. They guide the Chamber board, staff and its committees as issues arise in these areas; they provide a reference for any party wishing to know the Chamber’s general position; and they help prioritize where the Chamber should focus its efforts in improving the business and community environment.
 

1.1 Actions
When any policy of community issue affects the business or community environment, especially if the situation runs contrary to the guiding statements, the Chamber will take steps to improve the situation. Typical actions include:

• Advocating in the best interest of the business community

• Coordinating forums for communication, education, and debate on issues affecting the community (e.g., public forums, inviting elected/public officials and other stakeholders to Chamber committees and working groups, print and e-mail publications)

• Establishing and participating in working groups to address a particular issue (e.g., roundtables, workforce development)

• Building healthy alliances with other organizations to support or oppose issues consistent with these guiding statements.

1.2 Scope

The Chamber pays greatest attention to policies and actions at the local level. Regional concerns are also a priority, since regional identification places everyone in the region in a stronger position. State policies are of concern as well, since the County Chamber can influence State policy through local political representatives, by lobbying at the State level and through the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce. In cases where meaningful influence is possible, the Chamber may act on issues determined at the national level.

2. Policy

This document categorizes policy into three areas: fiscal, regulatory, and structural. Policies in all areas should:

• Strengthen and promote the business and community environment

• Support the free enterprise system

• Maintain, and improve where possible, the quality of life for a substantial majority of those affected

• Balance the needs of all stakeholders

• Protect and balance the rights and welfare of companies and individuals

• Limit mandates without offsetting support or clear benefits for the parties affected

These policies apply to all decision-makers and enforcers at all levels within the scope of Chamber influence, including legislators, the court system, and other authorities.

2.1 Fiscal

A strong community requires strong financial support, now and into the future. Fiscal policy, especially regarding taxation (which includes fees), must:

• Balance current and future needs

• Distribute the tax burden equitably over the population that benefits from tax revenues, not targeting any specific segment, particularly if there is no correlation between the targeted segment and the proposed tax

Example: The Chamber has opposed a significant increase in trucking licenses in Illinois. The increase forced many truckers to license out of state.

• Take a long view, avoiding piecemeal, quick-fix patches to situations that arise

• Provide visibility in terms of what taxes and fees are being assessed and how the funds are being used

• Be conducive to a strong business environment, placing the state and the county in a position to compete favorably with other similar entities across the nation

• Oppose any attempt to divert funds specified for one purpose to other, unintended purposes.

àExample: State organizations should work in unison to encourage the greatest allocation of federal transportation dollars to Illinois, and not divert funds specified for road projects for other purposes.

• Generally give preference to non-property tax sources over property tax increases because non-property taxes tend to spread the tax burden more equitably across the population.

• The Chamber opposes government legislation that will impose a tax on services.

The Chamber generally supports the use of balanced financial inducements or incentives to enhance the competitive position of an area as a site for business. These incentives may include:

• Reasonable tax relief for small business that encourages growth and the entrepreneurial spirit

• Tax increment financing (TIF) districts

• Wisely administered, state-funded funds to support start-up businesses

• Balanced financial inducements or incentives to enhance the competitive position of an area as a site for business

The Chamber supports incentives for the expansion of the production and use of renewable fuels. This promotes the local agri-business economy as well as contributing to long-term environmental solutions.

2.2 Regulatory and General Business Issues

Many regulatory policies, such as workman’s compensation, are necessary to guarantee workers a safe work environment.

The Chamber will also address general business issues, such as health insurance costs if 1) they affect businesses and workers, and 2) the Chamber can take meaningful action or provide education to the membership.

Example: The Chamber has supported worker’s compensation reform, and has hosted a public forum on the issue, in light of excessive litigation caused by the process and workers taking undue advantage of weak laws limiting frivolous claims.

In addition to the factors regarding all policies, government regulations must:

• Support the free enterprise system

• Add value to the business

• Improve, not hinder, a firm’s competitive ability

• Minimize bureaucracy

• Reduce the number of agencies, especially where duplicative or competitive

The following areas deserve particular attention due to their importance in maintaining a healthy business environment.

• The unemployment system

• The pension fund—adequate funding levels must be maintained

• Worker’s compensation, especially regarding protection from fraud

• Mandates regarding health care

• State incorporation and licensing requirements

• Fees

The integrity of elected officials, appointed officials, and other community leaders and decision-makers is paramount in maintaining not only healthy policy but a culture of excellence in our community. The Chamber expects its community leaders to uphold the highest standards of ethics.

The Chamber supports environmentally responsible policies that balance the benefits of economic growth with the impact on the environment, including storm water runoff, energy efficiency, and protecting natural habitats. In particular, the Chamber supports governmental assistance and continuing research to develop a comprehensive groundwater conservation program.

The Chamber encourages the state government to:

• Use Illinois vendors where possible

• Maintain a fair, quality-based, state-wide system of bidding for services and products among Illinois private sector companies

Governmental protections should not infringe upon the rights of citizens to make their own informed choices about behaviors and lifestyle, as long as those choices do not significantly endanger others. Attempts to legislate against poor decision-making can ultimately risk disempowerment of the citizenry.

2.3 Structural

Structural policy deals with the organizational structure of governmental and infrastructural bodies that shape and support the community environment.

The Chamber supports efficient governmental bodies that work cooperatively with other such bodies to create a positive work and community environment. The Chamber therefore acts to:

• Improve inter-governmental cooperation wherever possible

• Encourage local taxing and governmental bodies to look beyond their jurisdiction and to seek solutions that benefit the greater good

• Supports increased sharing of resources among local units of government

The Chamber generally supports legislation and policy that encourages the privatization of government services when doing so will reduce the cost or improve the efficiency in the delivery of the service and/or product.

3. Community

The Chamber favors community growth through business attraction, business retention, job growth and population growth. Several heavily overlapping and interrelated areas affect growth and a healthy, vibrant, attractive community: neighborhoods, infrastructure, quality of workforce, education, quality of life, public perception, and the University of Illinois.

3.1 Neighborhoods

Strong, vital residential neighborhoods are critical to maintaining a positive business and community climate. Maintenance and planning efforts should:

• Create neighborhoods free from crime, drugs, and other negative factors

• Contribute to the growth of property values

• Support commercial and residential activities in appropriate areas

• Be planned as well as possible to minimize infrastructural costs

• Balance the interests of groups and businesses involved so as to maximize the greatest public benefit and minimize negative impact on stakeholders

• Provide varied and affordable housing for a wide range of demographics

3.2 Infrastructure

The community infrastructure must support the overall growth and health of the community. All infrastructural aspects are important in serving the community. The following are of special interest:

• 3.2.1 Land-use policy.  A well-considered land use policy should allow for efficient infrastructure development, planned developments when contiguous to incorporated communities, infill development, and healthy integration of neighborhood and business regions. Policies should be consistent across the county with regard to building codes, drainage policies, permitting process, etc.

• 3.2.2 Transportation: air service.  Access to local air service is a critical component for a good quality of life, for economic development and business retention and attraction.

Example: The Chamber partnered with the Economic Development Corporation and the University of Illinois in their efforts to secure air service from Delta Airlines at Willard Airport.

• 3.2.3 Transportation: passenger rail. The Chamber encourages more Amtrak destinations, reliability of passenger rail service from Amtrak, and increased frequency on Chicago routes

• 3.2.4 Transportation: roads and interchanges.  Roads must be well maintained. The Chamber supports the development of additional strategically located interchanges to provide maximum access to the community.

• 3.2.5 Transportation: non-motorized. The Chamber encourages county-wide development of bike paths, pedestrian trail systems, and any other non-motorized transportation systems for recreational use and as an alternative to motorized transport.

• 3.2.6 Public Transportation.  Public transportation must be modern, efficient, and responsive to the needs of the community. Investments and plans for future growth should occur before such growth, in order to encourage it and provide for needs in advance.

• 3.2.7 Public Services.  Police, fire, licensing, and other public services must meet accepted standards and be responsive to community needs.

• 3.2.8 Utilities.  Electric, water, and other utilities must be reliable and available at reasonable rates, and must provide a high level of customer service.

• 3.2.9 Technology.  The technological infrastructure must be in place to provide the latest in technological advantages to the county.

• 3.2.10 Educational Support.  Local schools, libraries, museums, adult education groups, and other education-related organizations must be cultivated to achieve a culture of life-long learning and achievement in the community. A stronger link must be created between workforce skills and K-12 education.

• 3.2.11 Financial Support.  The Chamber recognizes the importance of local as well as state and national sources of funding to address specific needs and goals. The Chamber encourages the formation, maintenance, and cooperation of philanthropic foundations and service organizations with a strong mission to serve the public good.

3.3 Quality of Workforce

The Quality of Workforce is instrumental to attracting business to and maintaining business in the area. The workforce must be balanced, providing pools of workers with appropriate training for the types of jobs that business members need. An emphasis should be placed on ensuring that regardless of the sector, all workers have the skills needed in order for our business community to compete globally.

The Chamber encourages a comprehensive workforce development program for Champaign County.

The Chamber encourages private/public cooperation on the training of prospective business owners as well as the on-going training of existing business owners.

3.4 K-12 Education

The quality of the public school education system is critical in creating a populace of achievers and in attracting the brightest talent to the area. Local education systems must:

• Achieve high educational standards as determined by a variety of validated and accepted short-term and long-term measures of educational effectiveness

• Present fair and equitable opportunities across all segments of the area’s diverse population

• Attract highly qualified faculty and administrators, well above national averages

• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility in planning for and allocating resources, in both the present and future

• Integrate opportunities and resources among all educational organizations in the community

• Garner the confidence and support of the public

3.5 Parkland College

The Chamber recognizes the critical contributions of Parkland College to the region, and encourages public support, awareness, and integration of Parkland’s unique capabilities into the working of the community. Examples of notable areas in which Parkland College contributes include:

• Continuing education; life-long learning; GED programs

• Associates degrees and 2-year programs that bridge the gap for many between high school and university experiences

• Technical training for workforce development, customized for local needs

• Economic development

3.6 University of Illinois

Champaign County must support and leverage the resources of the University of Illinois, one of the nation’s greatest universities. The Chamber actively supports the University of Illinois in its mission.

The Chamber supports initiatives by both the University and the private sector to transfer advanced technology into commercially successful enterprises that contribute to the well-being of the populace.

The Chamber actively seeks opportunities to include the University in its committees and work forces, especially those dealing with agribusiness, technology transfer, and workforce development. The Chamber seeks the expertise of University personnel in helping inform Chamber positions and the public understanding of issues.

3.7 Quality of Life

Quality of life is a major factor in attracting the most highly qualified workers and businesses to the area. The Chamber supports organizations and initiatives that improve the quality of life in the county. Examples of key groups include local Park Districts, museums, and performing arts centers.

A high Qualify of Life must exist for all segments of this diverse community. The Chamber supports efforts to qualitatively and quantitatively lessen discrepancies in available opportunities among the county’s populations, including access to technology (the “digital divide”).

3.8 Community Awareness

To compete for business and workforce talent, and to achieve a high quality of life in the area, the Chamber supports efforts to generate public awareness of Champaign County and East Central Illinois. Especially important is awareness of the effect of agriculture on the economy and culture.