Jo Daviess County Legislative Committee met May 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
PRESENT:
√ John Lang √ Hendrica Regez Scott Toot √ LaDon Trost
√ Ron Smith √ John Schultz √ Diane Gallagher √ Don Zillig
A quorum was established.
Other Board Members:
Others: Kara Conklin, Gary Diedrick and Dan Reimer
1. Call to Order – Chairman Lang called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.
2. Minutes Approval –
a) John Schultz made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 17, 2019 Legislative Committee meeting. Seconded by Don Zillig and motion carried.
3. Citizens’ Comments: None.
4. Unfinished Business:
a) Review Report of 2019 Strategic Goals and Plans – The committee reviewed their strategic goals and plans. We will be doing new goals and plans at the County Board Retreat later this evening.
b) Discussion and possible action on Adding Co-sponsors to HB 2780 and HB 2781 – John Lang commented that even though our two bills, HB 2780 and HB 2781 have been referred back to the rules committee, it is possible even after those bills go back to the rules committee to add co-sponsors to it. No bill is dead at this time. It won’t be dead until a year from now. Dan Reimer added that at the DMO Committee meeting our County Board Chairman asked point blank to the GGMI Committee would you stay neutral as your position on this bill. Reimer feels if they agree and we can get that into the minutes of their next meeting and get that to Chesney that will be your best chance. Lang added that the change to the bill that Chesney is proposing would make the bill only apply to Jo Daviess County. It would be subject to a popular vote.
c) Discussion and possible action on HB158 (Local Government Distributive Fund) – Has Bi- partisan Support – Add Co-sponsor – John Lang commented that this bill would give us 10% of the distributive fund. There are already Democratic and Republican co-sponsors on this bill, but Chesney is not one of them. The bill is set for the third reading, which is the vote in the General Assembly. Dan Reimer commented that the local share of state income tax comes back based on population. Our last census went up in unincorporated Jo Daviess County. It is based on the dollars per capita. If our population drops in 2020, which it very well could, we would lose a percentage. This bill is attempting to reinstate the 10% of the total tax. This is general fund revenue for us.
5. New Business:
a) Discussion and possible action on SJRCI – Constitutional Amendment for Progressive State
Income Tax – John Lang commented that this amendment would eliminate the state’s flat income tax mandate. The change would allow state lawmakers to establish different income tax rates for different levels of income as well as new taxes on different types of income. A change to the Illinois Constitution is necessary for the adoption of the progressive income tax rates proposed.
b) Discussion and possible action on SB687 – Rate for New State Income Tax – John Lang commented that this bill amends the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit Act. It makes a technical change in a section concerning the short title.
c) Discussion and possible action on SB690 – Property Tax Freeze and SB689 – Estate Tax – John Lang commented that this bill amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning in levy year 2022, for taxing districts that are school districts (other than qualified school districts), "extension limitation" means 0% or the rate of increase approved by the voters (currently, (a) the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index during the 12-month calendar year preceding the levy year or (b) the rate of increase approved by voters). Provides that the term "qualified school district" means a school district that certifies to the county clerk that the district: (i) submitted a claim or claims to the Illinois State Board of Education for reimbursement of certain State mandated categoricals for the school fiscal year immediately preceding the levy year and received reimbursement for those State mandated categoricals that was less than 97% of the district's claims; or (ii) did not receive the minimum funding required for that school district under the evidence-based funding formula. Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to certify to each school district whether or not the school district is eligible for designation as a qualified school district. Effective January 1, 2021, but does not take effect at all unless Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment No. 1 of the 101st General Assembly is approved by the voters of the State prior to that date.
d) Discussion of Governor Pritzker Under Investigation – John Lang commented that the governor is reportedly under federal criminal investigation for a tax filing prior to taking office.
e) Discussion and possible action on SB7 – Legalize Adult Use on Cannabis – John Lang commented that this bill creates the Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act. Contains only a short title provision. The third reading deadline is May 31st.
f) Discussion and possible action on Summary of PA 100-1177 on Prevailing Wage – John Lang did not have this information available for this evening.
g) Discussion and possible action on Status of Legislation Reviewed by Sheriff – John Lang commented that at the last meeting Sheriff Turner gave us a number of bills that the Sheriff’s Association was watching. HB 1115 Electronic Monitoring has passed the House and is now waiting for assignment in the Senate. HB 1458 Evidence – Restorative Justice is in rules. HB1468 Juvenile Age of Detention was referred back to rules. HB1613 Traffic/Pedestrian Stop Study has already passed the House and is now on the third reading in the Senate. HB1616 Criminal Procedure – Communication has gone to rules. HB2291 Criminal Law – Tech has gone to rules. HB2649 Incarcerated Parents – Children has been changed. It is now on its second reading in the Senate but it now requires a study committee to figure out what to do with children of incarcerated parents.
h) Discussion on Legislative Session Ending May 31st – The Legislative session is supposed to end on May 31st. The next couple of weeks will be very busy. They will be going five days a week now instead of three. There is no more room for public input other than writing a letter to our legislators.
6. Legislative Looking Glass – The committee reviewed the current Legislative Looking Glass.
7. Citizens’ Comments: None.
8. Board Member Concerns: LaDon Trost expressed his appreciation to John Lang for all the hard work he does for this committee.
9. Next regular meeting – Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.
10. Meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m. following a motion made by LaDon Trost, seconded by John Schultz.
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