Tax credits, prison reform pass in veto session

Tax credits, prison reform pass in veto session
Spread the love

By PETER HANCOCK
Capitol News Illinois
phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers last week passed significant legislation dealing with electric vehicle manufacturing incentives and the availability of hygiene products for prisoners in the state’s correctional system.

But some weightier issues, including a possible assault weapons ban, will wait until a lame duck session scheduled for early January.

Last week, lawmakers wrapped up a five-day fall veto session that focused mainly on changes to the SAFE-T Act criminal justice reform package first adopted in 2021 and a $1.8 billion infusion of cash into the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.

But several other bills passed as well, including an expansion of tax credits and other incentives aimed at promoting electric vehicle manufacturing in Illinois.

Last year, lawmakers passed the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, or REV Illinois, that provided tax incentives for electric vehicle manufacturers, or companies that manufacture certain component parts for electric vehicles, to locate or expand in Illinois.

Under that program, companies receiving the breaks could receive a state income tax credit of 75-100 percent of payroll taxes withheld from each new employee and 25-50 percent for retained employees. The law also provided a 10 percent credit for training expenses.

The stated goal of that program was to make Illinois a hub for electric vehicle manufacturing. But other states have been getting into the game as well, including Indiana and Michigan, which some people have argued offer better incentives than Illinois.

The first and only contract under the REV Act thus far was signed between the state and T/CCI Manufacturing in Decatur in September to create an estimated $2.2 million in value for the company to retool its facility that manufactures compressors.

House Bill 5189, which cleared the General Assembly Thursday, Dec. 1, expands the incentives to be available to the makers of more component parts, and raises the maximum tax credit to 75 percent of the incremental income tax attributable to retained employees. That amount can also go to 100 percent, depending on where the jobs are located.

That language was part of an “omnibus” tax bill that also includes a five-year extension of tax deductions for contributions to ABLE accounts, a savings program for people with disabilities; an expansion of the Live Theater Production tax credit to make more productions eligible for the credit; and a provision stating that any student loan forgiveness that may be approved by the federal government will not count as taxable income for Illinois taxes.

 

Inmate hygiene

Lawmakers also passed a bill ensuring that inmates in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections will have free access to underwear and menstrual hygiene products.

House Bill 4218, by Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, follows other bills lawmakers have passed recently that seek to end what advocates have called “period poverty.” In 2021, lawmakers passed a series of bills to expand the availability of such products, including requirements that they be made available in college and university restrooms and homeless shelters.

Another bill called on the Department of Human Services to apply for a federal waiver so the products would be eligible for purchase through the SNAP and WIC food assistance programs in Illinois.

 

Lame duck session

Some of the weightier issues that lawmakers hope to deal with before the next General Assembly is sworn into office are being deferred to a lame duck session that is scheduled for five days between Jan. 4 and 10.

That’s because the Illinois Constitution requires that any bill passed after May 31 of a calendar year must receive at least a three-fifths majority to have an immediate effective date. Otherwise, they do not take effect until June 1 of the following year.

But bills that pass after Jan. 1 – even during lame duck sessions that occur before newly-elected lawmakers are sworn in – need only a simple majority to have an immediate effective date.

Among the issues expected to be debated is a proposed ban on the sale or possession of assault-style weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.

Those are the same types of weapons and ammunition systems that have been used in multiple mass shootings in the United States. But calls for banning them in Illinois intensified after a mass shooting at an Independence Day parade last summer in Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens more injured.

On Thursday, Dec. 1, the final day of the veto session, Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield, filed HB 5855, the “Protect Illinois Communities Act,” which would make it illegal to manufacture, deliver, sell or purchase an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50-caliber rifle or .50-caliber cartridge.

It would also make it illegal for anyone to possess such a weapon or ammunition 300 days after the effective date of the act, unless it is registered with the Illinois State Police.

The bill would also remove the ability of people under age 21 to own firearms and ammunition, with an exception for those serving in the U.S. military or National Guard.

And it would amend the state’s Firearms Restraining Order Act by allowing state’s attorneys and assistant state’s attorneys to act as a “friend of the court” in restraining order petitions while extending the maximum length of those restraining orders to one year instead of six months.

Morgan, whose district includes Highland Park, served as leader of the Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group that House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch appointed earlier this year.

“Gun violence is destroying families and communities from East St. Louis to Highland Park to Chicago, and this moment demands urgency,” Morgan said in a statement. “It is time that we had the political courage to admit that guns are a problem and that we can do something about it.”

Chief cosponsors of the bill include Reps. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia; La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago; and Barbara Hernandez, all of whom have backed similar legislation in the past.

 

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide, as well as hundreds of radio and TV stations. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

 


Spread the love
ADS-Vedette-Edward-Jones-Abney-Vedette_CD_Ad_Week_1_of_13_6_29_2023_page-0001.jpg


Illinois News


Pritzker proposes over 2B in spending growth, backed by tax increases for corporations, sportsbooks
Pritzker proposes over 2B in spending growth, backed by tax increases for corporations, sportsbooks
Pritzker to call for health insurance reforms in State of the State address
Pritzker to call for health insurance reforms in State of the State address
Transmission line monopoly back on agenda at Statehouse after Pritzker’s veto
Transmission line monopoly back on agenda at Statehouse after Pritzker’s veto
Ahead of Pritzker’s budget address, pressures that mounted last year intensify
Ahead of Pritzker’s budget address, pressures that mounted last year intensify
Pritzker to mull tightening fiscal landscape in budget address this week
Pritzker to mull tightening fiscal landscape in budget address this week
Brandy Renshaw enjoys working on the farm alongside her father, Steve Williams. –Photo courtesy of Brandy Renshaw.
Illinois Farmer Appears in New TV Show Spotlighting Women in Ag


Classifieds


Hire engineering assignment writing service in Malaysia
artykuly-biurowe
Materiały biurowe do waszej firmy
The Peotone downtown streetscape plan was approved at the February 12 board meeting. Photo courtesy the Village of Peotone.

Peotone Streetscape Bid Approved for $3.47M

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Andrea Arens The Peotone Village Board approved the bid for the downtown streetscape design at their board meeting on February 12. It wasn’t a unanimous decision, though. Both Trustees Todd Sandberg and Nick Strba voted no. With Trustee Gary Hudson having to abstain due to owning property in downtown, the final vote…


Spread the love
Vedette logo

Crete Tables Golf Carts

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Karen Haave Crete officials last week tabled three ordinances regulating golf carts in the village. Trustee John Phelan asked that the discussion and vote be delayed until the March 25 meeting. In a letter to the board, Police Chief Scott Pieritz said he was opposed to golf carts for a myriad of…


Spread the love
Vedette logo

It Might Cost Beecher, but Mayor Meyer Would Rather Keep Their Water

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva It’s a tough choice. The Village of Beecher owns and controls its own water and sewer system, and that isn’t cheap. Now, the village could take the easy way out and sell the system for a handsome price and rid itself of financial and other problems. Or, it could keep…


Spread the love
Vedette logo

Aqua Proposing a $14.2M Rate Hike

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Karen Haave Water and sewer bills for Will County residents served by Aqua Illinois will be going up if the company’s proposed rate hike is approved later this year. Aqua has applied for a $19.2 million rate hike for the 14 counties it serves in Illinois, including Will.  Shane Gustafson, Morreale Communications,…


Spread the love
Vedette logo

Monee Village Board Not Happy About Aqua Proposed Rate Hikes

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Karen Haave A rate hike proposed by Aqua Illinois isn’t sitting well with members of the Monee Village Board. During the February 12 meeting, Trustee Douglas Horne urged “everybody within the sound of my voice” to oppose the increase. “If approved, the bulk sewer rate would increase by 54 percent, going from…


Spread the love
Connie Lemon presented a tablescape for  rustic/formal high tea at the Kultivators recent meeting. –Photo submitted.

Kultivators Begin Yearly Event Planning

Spread the love

Spread the loveThe Kankakee Kultivators Garden Club met at the Kankakee Library on February 8, with planning beginning for several upcoming events. Mark your calendars and save the date for these future events. March and April: Kultivator members begin selling gift cards for Benoit Greenhouse, Kankakee. Proceeds help fund the many projects of the club,…


Spread the love
Vedette logo

Manteno District 6 County Board Member Resigns

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Stephen Nelson At the February 13 Kankakee County Board meeting, it was announced District 6 (Manteno) Republican County Board Representative Ray Fairfield will resign from the position on Friday February 16. “A decision on the appointment of a replacement will have to wait for 60 days after the effective date of the…


Spread the love
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Monee Police Blotter: February 6 – 11

Spread the love

Spread the loveOn February 6, at approximately 5:33 p.m., a traffic stop resulted in the arrest of Marcellus Bearden, 55, of Chicago. Bearden was issued citations for driving with expired license plates, driving while his license was suspended, and operating an uninsured vehicle. He was released with a notice to appear via his citations. On…


Spread the love
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Peotone Police Blotter: February 10-15

Spread the love

Spread the loveFebruary 10: Peotone Police responded to the report of a dispute in the 300 block of Glenview. Officers spoke with the individuals involved, who advised they had been arguing, but everything was OK and calmed down, and they did not require any assistance. February 10: A complainant walked into the Peotone Police Department…


Spread the love
Blue Devil logo

PHS Holds Senior Dance Night

Spread the love

Spread the loveSpread the love


Spread the love
Blue Devil logo

PHS Holds Cheer Team Senior Night

Spread the love

Spread the lovePeotone High School celebrated Cheer Team Senior Night at the basketball game on Tuesday, February 13. Ava Daly is the daughter of Beth and Don Daly and a four-year member of the cheer team. Ava’s favorite memory from cheer team was when they hit their original routine for the first time at sectionals,…


Spread the love
Peotone library logo

Peotone Library News

Spread the love

Spread the loveMark your calendars for the Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale – Thursday, April 18, Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20. Interested in the Homebound Delivery Program? Contact the Adult Services Department for more information and guidelines. Register for events on the website calendar or call the library at 708-258-3436. Youth…


Spread the love
MFPD logo

MFPD Responds to Grain Dryer Fire

Spread the love

Spread the loveFebruary 14, Peotone: At approximately 11:35 a.m., the Manhattan Fire Protection District (MFPD) was dispatched for a smoke investigation near a grain dryer in the 2800 block of South Rt. 45. The first units arrived on the scene within 10 minutes of the initial call for service. Fire crews reported heavy smoke showing,…


Spread the love
PJHS Present Annie Jr.

PJHS to Present ‘Annie JR.’ March 2-3

Spread the love

Spread the lovePeotone to learn important lessons: ‘You’re Never Fully Dressed without a Smile’ and ‘The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow.’ Leaping Lizards! Peotone will “stick up its chin and grin and sing ‘Tomorrow!  Tomorrow!’” when Peotone Junior High performs Annie JR., it was announced by Drew Cohen, president of Music Theatre International (MTI). Based…


Spread the love
–Photo submitted.

Joyce Responds to Proposed Aqua Illinois Rate Increases

Spread the love

Spread the loveIn response to Aqua Illinois filing a request with the Illinois Commerce Commission to increase the rate they charge for water, State Sen. Patrick Joyce issued the following statement recently: “Aqua Illinois recently filed for a water rate increase that could cause unnecessary financial hardships on families. Now is not the time to…


Spread the love