PUBLIC POLICY UPDATE The business community of Champaign County made their voices heard on election night. All but one chamber supported initiative/candidate won on Election Day. Our big initiative, County Executive, passed with a majority of the vote. A similar proposal offered by the county board, County Board Chairman At Large, also passed. Both initiatives passing showed the voter’s strong desire to reform county government. However, due to multiple points explicitly written in state statute (Sec. 2-5015), County Executive supersedes County Board Chairman At Large. In two years, Champaign County will elect its first county executive. Another Chamber supported initiative, transportation lock-box, a statewide constitutional amendment which will guarantee road funds will be spent on roads and infrastructure, also passed overwhelmingly. Business Empowered PAC endorsed candidates also had a very good day at the ballot box. Mark Shelden won his race for County Recorder. John Farney was reelected as Champaign County Auditor. Julia Rietz won another term as Champaign County State’s Attorney. Jon Rector was retained as County Board Member in District 5. Congratulations to all of the Business Empowered endorsed candidates on their victories. Now that the election is over a common question is “What should we expect?” Just a week before mandatory compliance for all employers, U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant of Texas issued a temporary injunction on the Obama Administration’s new overtime regulation putting a halt on the rules nationwide.
projects along with available grants for restoration and bike paths. The last meeting in the morning had the group meet with Acting Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Sean McCarthy about economic development including EDGE Tax Credits, Enterprise Zones and workforce development. The group then went and visited the Illinois Chamber of Commerce for an overall update on state government at a working lunch in their office. Due to negotiations involving Exelon and the Clinton Power Plant, President of the Illinois Chamber, Todd Maisch, had to leave to meet with Governor Bruce Rauner. In the afternoon, the delegation had meetings with elected state officials to discuss priorities and the current aspects of state government. Representatives Adam Brown, Chad Hays and Bill Mitchell all took time out of their session schedule to meet with Champaign County First delegates. Senators Scott Bennett and Chapin Rose made an official announcement on the Senate floor about Champaign County First, then met with delegates outside the Senate Chamber doors. In all, Champaign County First was able to advocate for all of Champaign County as a united front to heads of government agencies and elected officials. The trip is held in conjunction with the Washington DC trip to bring Champaign County First’s advocacy to all our officials in Washington and Springfield.
Starting December 1, employers with salaried employers earning less that $47,476 annually would have had to pay overtime benefits to those employees. With this ruling and a new administration soon to be sworn in, the future of this regulation is in doubt. As of now, the December 1 deadline will not be enforced. The U. S. Chamber of Commerce expects the Obama Administration to challenge the ruling; however, with the Trump Administration to begin shortly, the new administration is expected to drop the challenge with one of their first actions. They are expected to then eliminate/rewrite the new overtime rule. Further details of this news will be shared as they are made available. On November 30, Champaign County First, a public/ private partnership made up of private business owners, community stakeholders and local government entities went to Springfield on their annual lobby trip. The group’s focus is to lobby for transportation, infrastructure and economic development for all of Champaign County. The trip was very successful lobbying for priority projects to the Deputy Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation, Rich Brauer. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources discussed recreation
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