ONCE STALLED LEGISLATION ADVANCES
Clean Coal Legislation – Utility Rate Hikes – Passed House
CICI and many in the business community opposed this measure, SB 1987 (Trotter, D-Chicago), that could ultimately mean utility rate increases and hindered competition in the electricity market for industrial customers. This legislation was stalled the last day of regular session when it only received 50 “Yes” votes in the House, 10 shy of the 60 “Yes” votes needed for passage. An agreement by some of the state’s utilities and the environmental community made the bill’s passage possible. The bill now heads to the Senate for further action when they return in November.
The legislation essentially bets with ratepayers’ money on a promising but costly and unproven technology designed for Illinois' abundant coal, whose high sulfur content has impeded its use. Anticipating new federal standards restricting carbon emissions to combat global warming, the technology separates carbon during the coal-burning process for burial underground.
It was estimated by some business groups that electricity rates for residents and businesses could increase by tens of millions of dollars annually once the facility is completed which at the earliest would be @ 2015. The legislation further mandates price increases every year for the next five years. It was also estimated these price increases could total $400 million per year or $2 billion over 4 years. At current market rates, approximately two-thirds of that $2 billion, or $1.3 billion, will be passed on to consumers, particularly commercial and industrial users. CICI will continue to oppose SB 1987.
Electronic Recycling/E-Waste – Sent to Governor
The issue of electronic waste has been discussed and negotiated in the General Assembly for a few years now. Legislation contained in SB 2313 (Garrett, D-Lake forest) finally passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to Governor Blagojevich. The proposal creates the Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act and requires manufacturers, retailers, collectors, and recyclers to perform certain duties related to recycling or reusing certain electronic products. The bill also sets forth goals for manufacturers for the recycling of the electronic products and requires manufacturers and recyclers of the electronic products to register with the IEPA and pay a registration fee. The bill further sets out standards for recycling facilities of the electronic products. CICI’s was successful in making sure chemicals products were not banned in electronic devices.
Autism Coverage – Awaiting Final Action in the House
This measure, HB 415 (Graham, D-Chicago), creates a new health care mandate covering autism. The bill would specifically provide that the coverage would be subject to a maximum benefit of $36,000 per year, but shall not be subject to any limits on the number of visits to an autism service provider. It is estimated that there are 26,000 cases of autism in Illinois. According to fiscal estimates, passage of this mandate could ultimately cost employers close to a billion dollars per year. This language was added in the Senate, passed overwhelmingly with 36 “YES” votes, 0 “NO” votes, and 4 “PRESENT” votes, and now awaits final action in the House. | 
