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Newsletters
CICI Legisletter - May 15, 2009 May 15, 2009
Volume 23 - Issue 15

BUDGET, TAX INCREASE TALKS CONTINUE
 
While nothing is near being finalized at this moment, discussions on the state’s spending plan along with tax and fee hikes to pay for it are still ongoing. Various media reports are now highlighting a few possible agreements for funding a capital construction program, including legalization of video poker, a proposal to increase sales taxes on wine and liquor, and expand the state sales tax to candy and certain beauty products. As with video poker, those sales tax increases would apply to the capital construction program, but could also be used for health care programs.
 
Governor Quinn is also reportedly willing to include property tax relief and targeted tax relief for low-income citizens through the Earned Income Tax Credit, and willing to negotiate on his proposal to triple the state’s personal income tax exemptions from $2,000 to $6,000. However, Quinn is adamant his desire to increase the personal income tax by 50% to 4.5%. In addition the corporate income tax would increase by 50% to 7.2% not including the 2.5% personal property replacement tax. It’s unclear as to how much support there is for an income tax increase in the General Assembly along with concerns about whether or not the income tax increase would be permanent or temporary.
 
It should be noted that a whole host of possible tax and fee increases or other means of raising revenue will be floated during the waning days of the spring session in an attempt to put together a spending plan and adjourn by May 31. CICI will keep you abreast of all these developments as they begin to emerge.
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ENERGY EFFICIENCY BILL EMERGES
 
The Illinois Attorney General’s office, the City of Chicago, regulated natural gas and electric utilities, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), various environmental and low-income advocates, industrial energy user and various business groups including CICI have been working on legislation regarding energy policy in Illinois. 
 
The proposed legislation would create an Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS) for regulated natural gas utilities, similar to a program that already exists for electric utilities. The proposed bill establishes an energy efficiency program for natural gas utilities that is designed to reduce natural gas usage by 8.6% by 2020. The measure also includes a pilot program for on-bill financing of energy efficient measures that will be reviewed by the ICC after 3 years. The legislation also creates a Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) to help low-income, seniors, and other fixed income households manage their utility bills, complementing the current Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Customers participating in the PIPP will pay no more than 6% of their income and use their LIHEAP benefits to maintain affordable year-round utility service. 
 
Various groups in favor of this measure have estimated that by 2030 natural gas utilities could cumulatively save over 10 billion therms of natural gas, approximately $10.4 billion in savings for natural gas customers and a resulting reduction in carbon dioxide emissions that could total over 53 million metric tons.
 
And speaking of energy efficiency measures, Governor Quinn late last week issued Executive Order 11-2009 that requires that all state agencies under his control achieve the building energy performance criteria necessary to attain Energy Star qualification in all eligible state-owned buildings by July 1, 2015. It further requires that state agencies strive to achieve certification under LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance" (LEED-EBOM) in public buildings and employ cost-effective efficiency measures to reduce electricity consumption and natural gas consumption at facilities by 25% by July 1, 2025.
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BPA BABY BOTTLE BAN APPROVED FOR CHICAGO
 
The Chicago City Council this week succumbed to environmental hysteria and approved a BPA ban ordinance that prohibits, beginning January 31, 2010, the sale of empty baby bottles and cups intended for use by children under three years of age which contain BPA. 
 
The original proposal would have banned all products intended for children under seven containing BPA such as bicycle helmets, CDs/DVDs, electronic toys, car seats and food containers.  In part due to opposition by the American Chemistry Council and other business groups, the proponents of the measure decided to narrow the bill which now closely mirrors legislation in a few other states and local governments. 
 
The Chicago City Council approved the ban unanimously and a spokeswoman for Mayor Richard M. Daley said he intends to sign it. The ban is slated to take effect Jan. 31, 2010.
 
Chicago's ordinance requires retailers to post notices declaring that products they sell do not contain BPA. Violators could be fined up to $100 or more per offense and could lose their licenses.
 
 
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: 1400 E. TOUHY AVE., SUITE 110, 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
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400 W. Monroe, Suite 205
 Springfield, IL 62704
Tel: 217 522-5805 • Fax: 217 522-5815

1400 E. Touhy Ave, Suite 110
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Tel: 847 544-5995 • Fax: 847 544-5999