LEGISTATIVE UPDATE
ILOTA LOBBYIST : MAUREEN MULHALL
So far the Spring 2022 session of the Illinois General Assembly feels like “ déjà vu ” all over again . Much like the Spring 2021 session , many session days have been canceled and committees , at least those who meet in person , are meeting virtually . Access to the Senate is very limited , and anyone seeking entrance to the Senate must be COVID tested in advance . Legislators are relying on virtual meetings to discuss and negotiate legislation . For a business that relies on relationships , it has been very difficult to develop relationships with legislators over the past two years .
SENATE PRESIDENT HARMON AND HOUSE SPEAKER WELCH CREATED A SESSION CALENDAR THAT CONCLUDES SESSION ON APRIL 8TH , NEARLY EIGHT WEEKS EARLIER THAN THE USUAL MAY 31ST ADJOURNMENT . THIS EARLY AD- JOURNMENT WILL ALLOW LEGISLATORS TO BE IN THEIR DISTRICT IN LATER APRIL AND MAY WHERE THEY WILL BE CAMPAIGNING IN PREPARATION FOR THE JUNE 28TH PRIMARY ELECTION AND EARLY VOTING .
With this being an election year , legislators are reluctant to pursue any controversial issues . Any proposed legislation is examined with the question in mind , “ How will this affect my reelection chances ?” The House and Senate Democratic leaders have stated that their priorities for the spring session are to pass a balanced budget and address some public safety concerns . Very little else of significance will be considered this spring .
Speaking of the budget , there is some good news there . While the state ’ s budget has been buoyed by federal funding , many components of the economy have been performing well . Illinois leaders used some restraint in not creating new spending , but much of the federal money was used to reduce the backlog in unpaid bills and health care costs . The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability ( COGFA ) now estimates that Illinois will have a $ 418 million surplus . Through the first half of FY 2022 , overall base receipts are up . In the first six months , income tax receipts are up a combined $ 266 million . Net sales tax also continues to perform well , now up $ 643 million through the first six months of the fiscal year . The Illinois leaders , including the Governor , will need to continue to show restraint in their spending . The federal support ( via ARPA funds ) will not continue forever . Job creation is critical for the Illinois economy .
While the primary election is scheduled for June 28th , the primary election really begins on May 19th , when early voting begins . All 177 seats in the General Assembly are up for election . Additionally , the General Assembly created new legislative maps in response to the 2020 census . Some districts have been dramatically altered – the person who is your state Representative or Senator today may not be on your ballot in June or November . Many incumbent legislators have chosen not to run again , or to run for a different office . The 103rd General Assembly will look a lot different than the current 102nd .
If you are not already registered to vote , you can register online at the State Board of Elections website ,
www . elections . il . gov . If you have family members who are not yet 18 years old , but will be by November 8 , 2022 , they are eligible to vote in the primary election as long as they are registered . And your vote does count . Many elections are determined by fewer than 100 votes . Take some time to read the literature that will start clogging your mailboxes and check out candidates ’ websites to gain a perspective on their priorities . The 177 members of the Illinois General Assembly make decisions on not only how , where and under what conditions you can practice , but they make decisions that affect every aspect of your life . Take time to register to vote , become an informed voter , and show up on election day , for early voting or mail in voting .
15 Illinois Occupational Therapy Association | 2022 ISSUE 1