BUSINESS COMMUNITY MAY BE TARGETED IN SPECIAL SESSION

As the current overtime session becomes more rancorous, Governor Blagojevich has resorted to calling numerous special sessions to keep legislators in town until a final budget agreement is reached.  Special sessions still require a super majority (36 votes in the Senate and 71 votes in the House) if legislation is to become effective immediately. 

CICI and the rest of the business community are concerned that a special session may be called to discuss the governor’s 3% payroll tax to fund a state sponsored health care program.  Since the payroll tax is not enough to cover the $4 billion cost of the health care program, another component of this probable special session could be a huge tax increase on the business community, perhaps something similar to the failed Gross Receipts Tax (GRT).  This 3% payroll tax alone will rob over 200,000 state employers of $2.2 billion.  The expectation is that the Governor will seek to delay implementing the health care program until 2009 thus eliminating the need for a super-majority for passage.

As SB 1, the governor’s GRT, and SB 5, the governor’s healthcare program, are in the Senate, controlled by the Governor’s main ally in the General Assembly, Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago), CICI and the state’s business community has great concerns that these bills may be called during a special session.

CICI is again asking its members that, if they haven’t already done so, contact your State Senator and Representative in Springfield and inform them how detrimental this payroll tax scheme may be to your business.    If you do not know who your State Senator is, follow this link and enter your facilities address and contact them – either by phone, e-mail or letter – in their Springfield offices: http://www.elections.state.il.us/DistrictLocator/AddressSearch.aspx

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING & GOLF OUTING AUGUST 23

CICI’s Annual General Membership Meeting and Golf Outing will be held Thursday, August 23 at the Klein Creek Golf Club in Winfield at 1N333 Pleasant Hill Rd.  State Representative Mike Fortner (R-Countryside) will be this year’s luncheon speaker and will be discussing the recent legislative session.  The day’s events begin at 9:30 a.m. with the General Membership/Open Board of Directors meeting with lunch served at 11:45 a.m. followed by a shotgun start, scramble format at 1:30 p.m. The meeting registration is available at: http://www.cicil.net/Flyers/General_Membership_Golf_2007.html

If your company has any promotional items or gifts to donate for the golf outing, your support would be greatly appreciated. Please send items to the Des Plaines office at 2250 E. Devon Ave, Des Plaines, 60018.

CICI is again making available hole sponsorships at $500 per hole to benefit CHEMPAC, the only political action committee solely representing the chemical industry. Sponsorship includes a sign with your company name prominently displayed at the tee box.  For more information on hole sponsorship, please contact Brad Babcook at 217/522-5805 or bbabcook@cicil.net.

Please note that the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois Legislator is not intended to convey legal advice or set forth all legal requirements applicable to particular circumstances.

Headquarters: 2250 E. DEVON AVE., SUITE 239, DES PLAINES, IL 60018 • TEL :( 847) 544-5995 • FAX :( 847) 544-5999
Springfield: 400 W. MONROE, SUITE 205, SPRINGFIELD, IL 62704 • TEL :( 217) 522-5805 • FAX :( 217) 522-5815