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City Elections- Please VOTE on Tuesday, April 7th:
The City’s run-off election is on Tuesday, April 7th. The City of Chicago, the business community, and our neighborhoods are just beginning to bounce back from decades of fiscal mismanagement, rising structural deficits, and high taxes. It is critical that our members understand how important it is to take the time to vote.
- Click here find your polling place or request an absentee ballot to fill out and mail
- Click here find your early voting location
- Click here to register with “grace period” voter registration and ensure your voter registration information is correct
The Chicagoland Chamber encourages you to provide this voting information to your friends, employees, and family. This election will determine the future of the City of Chicago.
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Illinois Pension Reform Oral Arguments:
On Wednesday, March 11th the Illinois Supreme Court heard oral arguments in re: Pension Reform Litigation. The oral arguments centered on the interpretation of the Illinois Constitution’s Pension Clause and its relation to SB1 which reduced pension benefits to maximize savings for the State: “Membership in any pension or retirement system of the State, any unit of local government or school district, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, shall be an enforceable contractual relationship, the benefits of which shall not be diminished or impaired.”
Though it is unclear how the Court will rule, many hope that the Court will provide a decision prior to the scheduled May 31st adjournment so that legislators will have time to come up with a pension reform solution that is in line with the Court’s guidance; assuming the Court rules against the current pension reform litigation. The decision will have a major impact on the budget planning for the State in an already dire year. Full video of the oral arguments and analysis can be found here.
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City Council Update:
Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2 and 17 regarding affordable housing requirements (Sponsors: Mayor Emanuel, Aldermen Burnett, Pawar, and others)
The current ARO requires residential developments receiving city financial assistance or city-owned land to provide a percentage of units at affordable prices. The ordinance applies to residential developments of 10 or more units and requires that developers provide 10 percent of their units at affordable prices. The current ARO ordinance also applies if: - A zoning change is granted that increases project density or allows a residential use not previously allowed
- The development is a "planned development" within the downtown area
The ARO was last updated in 2007. The revised ordinance as proposed will affect every residential housing project with 10 or more residential units. It requires 10% (20% if the project receives city funds) of the units in a development to be affordable and further requires 25% of these required affordable units to be on-site. The units must remain affordable for 30 years. It also increases the fees in lieu by as much as 125% in high income and downtown areas. City Council will take up the proposed ordinance on March 18th. The ordinance was previously deferred and published.
The Chamber opposed the revised ordinance as it was introduced and worked with the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago, the Chicago Association of Realtors, and other organizations in asking for more time and continued discussion.
The next City Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 10:00AM.
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Chicagoland Chamber’s Springfield Legislative Reception:
The Chicagoland Chamber’s President & CEO, Theresa E. Mintle, will be heading down to Springfield on March 25th and 26th to participate in our legislative reception and meet with the four legislative leaders, other agency heads, and elected officials to further discuss and advocate the Chamber’s legislative agenda.
If you plan to be in Springfield, please stop by the Sangamo Club on Wednesday, March 25th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Patio Room, where we will be hosting a legislative reception with appetizers, beer and wine. This event is free for Chamber members.
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| Sincerely,
Michael L. Reever, Esq.
Vice President, Government Relations
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
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| Community Events:
The Illinois Department of Central Management Services to conduct their 2nd Annual Small Business Event, Make a Connection: “Connecting Communities to Illinois Business Opportunities”
Partners: Congressman Danny K. Davis, Senator Patricia Van Pelt, Representative Pamela Reeves, Representative Arthur Turner, Cook County Commissioner Robert Steele and Alderman Walter Burnett
March 20, 2015 | 8:30AM-1:00PM
Malcolm X College
1900 West Van Buren | Auditorium
Chicago, Illinois 60612
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| Public Policy Committee
Mark Segal, Chair, STI Advisors LLC | Susan Sher, Vice-Chair, University of Chicago Hospital | Adrian Guerrero, Union Pacific Railroad | Ria Karnavas, UPS | James Kane, Kane & Co. | Anil Anuja, CCJM | Manny Sanchez, Sanchez Hoffman Daniels | Ira Azulay, Immigration Attorneys, LLP | Kevin Scanlan, MCHC | Robin L. Brown, Ingredion Incorporated | Pat Cermak, Wight & Company | Harry Seigle, The Elgin Company | Rick Bodnum, CME Group
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Public Policy Division
Michael Reever, Vice President, Government Relations
312.494.6736
Elise Houren, Manager, Government Relations
312.494.6727
Chamber Policy Consultant
Joan Parker
Joan A. Parker Government Affairs
312.909.1313
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Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
410 North Michigan Avenue | Suite 900 | Chicago, IL 60611
312.494.6700 | ChicagolandChamber.org |
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