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07/05/2008
Current Developments

6/2/2008
TFI report from the Capitol 6.2.08
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5/8/2008
John Filan - FY 09 Budget
Posted here is State Chief Operating Officer John Filan’s May 5 presentation to TFI members.
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5/2/2008
TFI 2008 Annual Meeting Registration Form
See attached.
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2/29/2008
FY 2009 Budget Analysis
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1/25/2008
Mass Transit Bill is Law
On Friday, January 18, HB 656 was certified by the Governor and is now law (PA 95-708). As you know, HB 656 is the bill that, generally, provides governance reforms, benefits reforms, and funding via tax increases targeted to the RTA region.
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1/18/2008
BIMP is Law
On Friday, January 11, SB 783 was certified by the Governor and is now law (PA 95-707). As you know, SB 783 is the bill that includes language to modify several of the provisions of SB 1544, the major tax legislation of 2007. SB 783 may be accessed at this link: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=783&GAID=9&GA=95&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=28752&SessionID=51
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1/18/2008
Mass Transit
Last week, the General Assembly passed HB 656, which is supported by TFI and generally provides governance reforms, benefits reforms, and funding via tax increases targeted to the RTA region. However, the Governor used his amendatory veto (AV) pen to provide free mass transit to senior citizens. Yesterday, January 17, the General Assembly accepted the Governor’s changes.......
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1/18/2008
Notable Items Mentioned in the January 2008 Department of Revenue Regulatory Agenda
The Department of Revenue recently filed its January 2008 regulatory agenda. The agenda does not provide any specific regulatory language, but some of the identified subjects are very broad in nature. We will have to wait for the Department to file the actual language......
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1/10/2008
CORRECTION - BIMP Still Needs to be Certified by the Governor
Earlier this afternoon, we stated that the BIMP, SB 783, is law. Technically, it is not yet law. The AV has been accepted by both chambers of the General Assembly. But, under the Constitution, the Governor still must certify that the accepted language comports with his recommended changes. We apologize for any confusion.

As you know, last week the Governor used his amendatory veto (“AV”) pen on SB 783, the budget implementation (“BIMP”) bill that includes language to modify several of the provisions of SB 1544, the major tax legislation of 2007. Yesterday, January 9, the Senate accepted the revised language on a vote of 54-00-00. Today, on a vote of 114-000-000, the House also accepted the Governor’s changes. The BIMP is now law.
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1/10/2008
Mass Transit Update
The Governor just announced that he intends to use his amendatory veto (AV) pen on the mass transit bill, HB 656. Apparently, he will change the bill to let senior citizens ride free statewide. The effect of an AV is identical to that of a total or regular veto—the bill is vetoed and not law. Of note, the Governor has not received the bill at this time. So, we will have to wait to see if he does AV the bill.
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1/4/2008
BIMP AV’d by the Governor This Morning
BIMP AV’d by the Governor This Morning Today, the last day on which he could take action, the Governor used his amendatory veto (“AV”) pen on SB 783, the budget implementation (“BIMP”) bill that includes language to modify several of the provisions of SB 1544, the major tax legislation of 2007. The AV leaves intact the technical tax-related clean-ups TFI negotiated with the Department of Revenue. Nonetheless, the technical tax language as well as money for schools and the Secretary of State’s Office, among others, remains in limbo. This is due to the fact that a bill subject to an amendatory veto cannot become law unless there is additional action by both chambers of the General Assembly. Of note, the General Assembly is scheduled to convene in regular session next week and, if it so chooses, could take up the AV at that time.
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12/20/2007
Letter to the Editor - Taxpayers at Risk
Right now, the rights of taxpayers are being threatened. This is because the Governor’s Administration has decided it can unilaterally enroll currently ineligible individuals in a healthcare program.
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12/14/2007
Lawsuit Against the Governor's Administration
As we reported last week, the Illinois Jobs Coalition, its Chairman Ron Gidwitz, and its Treasurer Greg Baise sued the Governor’s Administration for implementing a healthcare program without statutory and constitutional authority. This suit was filed in Sangamon County. Of note, Richard Caro also sued the Governor’s Administration, but his suit was filed in Cook County. Earlier this week, the Sangamon County suit was halted due to the pending Cook County case. At a hearing this afternoon (Friday, December 14) in Cook County, the Jobs Coalition and Messrs. Gidwitz and Baise sought to intervene in the Caro litigation and Mr. Caro sought a temporary restraining order against the Governor’s Administration. Judge James R. Epstein ordered that the motion to intervene was granted for Messrs. Gidwitz and Baise, but denied for the Jobs Coalition. The Judge gave the Plaintiffs leave to file an amended complaint and scheduled a status hearing for Tuesday, December 18.
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12/5/2007
Lawsuit Against the Governor's Administration
On Tuesday, December 4, the Illinois Jobs Coalition, its Chairman Ron Gidwitz, and its Treasurer Greg Baise sued the Governor’s Administration for implementing a healthcare program without statutory and constitutional authority. 
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12/4/2007
Time to Pay Up on Pensions
An article from the Belleville News Democrat.
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11/7/2007
Income/Franchise Tax Provisions
SB 1544/SB 783 cross reference. For a copy of this document click on the "committee activity" and then click on the Income/Franchise Committee section in the member area of the website.
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11/5/2007
Governor Loopholes Trailer Letter 11.5.07
To see a copy of the letter that we sent to the Governor, go to the member area of the website and look in the Board of Trustees section under "current documents".
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