DECEMBER 2, 2022
Legislative News
State Level: 102nd General Assembly Veto Session
SB1698 – Unemployment Insurance Agreed Bill
A Coalition of 34 different Associations throughout the state, including the ILBA, have come together regarding SB1698 – Unemployment Insurance Agreed Bill. The agreement between representatives from business, labor, bipartisan members of the General Assembly, and the state, will contribute more than $1.8 billion in state funds to the unemployment insurance trust fund, which includes the payment of the remaining federal loan balance borrowed under Title XII of the Social Security Act. The remaining $450 million will be placed into the trust fund from state funds as an interest-free loan. As the loan is repaid over the next ten years, funds will be deposited directly into the state’s rainy-day fund.
HB1095 – SAFE-T Act
HB 1095 makes several revisions to the Pretrial Fairness Act criminal justice reform provisions that were passed in 2021 and will be fully implemented on January 1, 2023. This bill clarifies the transition process on ending the cash bail system by giving prosecutors more time to prepare for hearings where they can argue for detaining a defendant. The measure also clarifies can arrest or detain someone for trespassing if: the person poses a threat to the community or any person; arrest is necessary because criminal activity persists after issuance of the citation; or the accused has an obvious medical or mental health issue that poses a risk to their safety. Makes consistent throughout the entire Act what a prosecutor must show to detain an individual on grounds the individual is a threat. This “dangerousness standard” is the person poses a real and present threat to any person or persons or the community, based on the specific, explainable facts of the case.
National Level:
Congress Passes Labor Agreement for Railroad
President Joe Biden and a coalition of more than 400 business groups and trade associations had asked Congress to intervene in the ongoing railroad labor dispute on November 28 to avoid a potential work stoppage and massive disruption to the flow of fuel, food and goods. The House voted 290 – 137 on November 30 to pass legislation that would compel railroad unions and companies to accept the tentative agreement. Yesterday, by an 80 – 15 vote the US Senate passed the Bill on to President Biden.
Credit Card Competition Act – The ILBA and ABL continue to lobby Congressional offices to support the bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act of 2022 (H.R. 8874; S. 4674). We support efforts to attach it as an amendment to any end-of-year package, including the FY23 Omnibus. We continue to encourage members to reach out to their Senators and their staff to ask them to support the legislation.
American Beverage Licensee’s (ABL) – We Don’t Serve Teens Campaign
ABL and state associations like the ILBA, are joining the We Don’t Serve Teens campaign this fall. These organizations and their member businesses will be promoting the program and its clear message in their local communities and to their customers, be they at the local bar or package liquor store. This grassroots connection is a hallmark of independent retailers who are locally licensed and the last to handle beer, wine and spirits before they reach consumers. With close proximity to customers and their authenticity as locally owned small businesses, independent beverage licensees are an essential link in the three-tier responsibility chain and terrific ambassadors to deliver the We Don’t Serve Teens message.
For more information about the We Don’t Serve Teens campaign, including customizable materials that can be downloaded for display and use, please visit www.wedontserveteens.org.
Welcome New ILBA Members: Recently the following businesses have joined the ILBA.
Corner Connection, Galesburg Live Star Banquet, Waukegan
Image Bar, Rockford Westside on Oak, Watseka
Main Street Tap, Bradford
Daniel D. Clausner
Executive Director