15 Aug 2012

Governor Quinn Signs Laws to Celebrate Agriculture Day at State Fair

By Erin Wilson

Laws Support State's Strong Agriculture Industry Currently Facing Drought

SPRINGFIELD - August 14, 2012.  Governor Pat Quinn today celebrated Illinois' agriculture heritage by signing five new laws to support the state's agriculture industry, which is currently facing record drought conditions. The governor signed the new laws on Agriculture Day at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, where agriculture producers from throughout the state are gathered to showcase livestock and other products made and grown in Illinois.

"As Illinois faces the worst drought in recent history, it is important that we do everything possible to support our farmers and support our agriculture industry," Governor Quinn said.

House Bill 5540, sponsored by Rep. Donald Moffitt (R-Gilson) and Sen. Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap), formally names the Illinois Department of Agriculture's (Ag) administration building the John. R. Block building in honor of the Illinois native's distinguished service. It passed the General Assembly unanimously.

Block, a Galesburg-area native and West Point graduate, served as Illinois agriculture director from 1977 to 1981. He was appointed U.S. secretary of Agriculture in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan and played an instrumental role in the development of the 1985 Farm Bill, legislation credited with restoring economic stability to the American farming industry. Governor Quinn recently urged Congress to renew the Farm Bill, which would provide vital aid to farmers in drought-stricken areas.

The governor also signed House Bill 5539, sponsored by Rep. Lisa Dugan (D-Bradley) and Sen. Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign). The law creates the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC), a program dedicated to enhancing the use of fertilizers and protecting water quality from losing nutrients. The new law will support important fertilizer regulatory programs and is designed to revitalize nutrient research through Illinois' universities and apply this knowledge in the farm field.

Governor Quinn also signed House Bill 5115, sponsored by Rep. Kay Hatcher (R-Yorkville) and Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-Crystal Lake). The law is designed to protect cattle pastures from damage caused by wildlife. The new law amends the Wildlife Code to include cattle pastures specifically as a type of property that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) may investigate. In addition, it allows DNR to determine whether the wildlife causing the damage needs to be removed, and clarifies that DNR will issue a permit to address the species responsible for causing the damage.

In order to prevent the pollution of Illinois waterways, Governor Quinn signed House Bill 5642, sponsored by Rep. Michael Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) and Sen. Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign). The legislation establishes fees on livestock producers that will help the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency administer the federally-mandated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. The law is supported by the Illinois Farm Bureau, the Illinois Pork Producers Association, the Illinois Beef Association and the Illinois Dairyman's Association.

House Bill 4598, sponsored by Rep. Patrick Verschoore (D-Rock Island) and Sen. David Koehler (D-Pekin), was also signed today. The law is designed to increase traffic safety by requiring certain vehicles to display a slow-moving vehicle emblem before traveling on Illinois roadways. The new law requires all farm implements and tractors, non-highway vehicles, and special mobile equipment or animal-drawn vehicles to display the slow-moving vehicle emblem.

All of the laws signed today are effective immediately. Following the signings, Governor Quinn will preside over the annual Governor's Sale of Champions taking place at the State Fair, during which champion livestock raised by youths interested in the agriculture industry will be auctioned. Proceeds will benefit agriculture education programs as well as the young producers.

For more information about the Illinois State Fair, please visit StateFair.Illinois.gov. To learn more about the state's efforts to combat drought conditions, visit Drought.Illinois.gov.

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10 Aug 2012

Governor Quinn Signs Law to Honor Veterans with Special License Plates

By Erin Wilson

JOLIET, Ill.- August 10, 2012. In addition to several other laws, Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law at a VFW post in Joliet to honor partially disabled veterans with special vehicle license plates. House Bill 1151 allows veterans who may not qualify for disabled license plates to still be honored for their sacrifice with a special license plate. Today's action is the latest by Governor Quinn to support veterans across Illinois.

"Our veterans who have sacrificed so much for the good of this country deserve honor and thanks," Governor Quinn said. "This new license plate will remind us of our modern-day heroes each time we see them on the road."

Sponsored by Rep. Lawrence Walsh, Jr. (D-Joliet) and Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Cicero), House Bill 1151 provides that the new license plate will be issued at no cost to eligible veterans, similar to the Illinois Disabled Veteran License Plate but without the international symbol of access. The new license plate honors veterans whose disability - such as neurological disorders, hearing loss or post-traumatic stress disorder - may not entitle them to disabled parking privileges. An initiative of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, the bill is supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"We cannot thank our veterans enough," Rep. Walsh said. "The next time I see a car with a Disabled Veteran license plate, I plan to give a thumbs-up to the driver to show my appreciation."

Governor Quinn is a long-time champion of veterans' affairs. As State Treasurer, he launched Operation Homefront to inform National Guard members and reservists of their rights under the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act. As Lieutenant Governor, his Illinois Military Family Relief Act to aid the spouses and children of those called to active duty became a model for other states. As Governor, Quinn has visited Illinois troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Germany, and has called for the hiring of 100,000 veterans in Illinois by 2020.

The law is effective Jan. 1.

While at the VFW Post, the Governor also signed four bills sponsored by area lawmaker Rep. Emily McAsey (D-Lockport): House Bill 4636, House Bill 4662, House Bill 4663 and House Bill 5650.

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07 Aug 2012

Governor Quinn Signs Pro-Jobs Law to Extend Illinois Enterprise Zone Program

By Erin Wilson

Law Provides Businesses with Greater Certainty, Will Boost Economic Development Across Illinois

CHICAGO - August 7, 2012. As part of his agenda to grow jobs and increase economic development across Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law to extend the Illinois Enterprise Zone program, a state and local partnership to encourage economic growth across the state. Senate Bill 3616 will create greater long-term stability for businesses, attract more investment in Illinois and protect the interests of taxpayers. The new law provides for a 25-year extension of the program, which creates a process for existing communities with zones and new communities to apply for the designation

"We want our businesses to invest, grow and put more Illinois residents to work," Governor Quinn said. "This new law provides employers with the long-term certainty they need to grow, and strengthens oversight standards to ensure accountability from businesses that participate in the program."

The new law makes three major changes to the state's Enterprise Zone program:

  • Extends the sunset of the Illinois Enterprise Zone program 

The law extends the Enterprise Zone Program for 25 years, and creates a process for existing communities with zones and new communities to apply for the designation. Under the new procedure, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will accept and review all applications to determine if they meet three of 10 criteria to be certified as a zone, which includes unemployment rate, infrastructure, plant closure/job loss, education, poverty rates, and high commercial and industrial vacancy.

  • Creates an Enterprise Zone Board
    The Enterprise Zone Board will approve or deny enterprise zone applications certified and scored by DCEO. The board will consist of five members: the director of DCEO, or his or her designee, who shall serve as chairperson; the director of the Department of Revenue, or his or her designee; and three members appointed by the Governor.
  • Increases reporting requirements of companies receiving tax benefits from the Enterprise Zone and High Impact Business programs

The law increases accountability by requiring that any business receiving tax incentives due to its location within an enterprise zone or its designation as a High Impact Business must annually report the total Enterprise Zone or High Impact Business tax benefits received. The report must be broken down by incentive category and enterprise zone, to the Department of Revenue. Failure to report data shall result in ineligibility to receive incentives.

SB3616, sponsored by Sen. Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign) and Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion), passed the General Assembly unanimously and was supported by many in the business community, including the Illinois Municipal League, Caterpillar, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Manufacturers Association. The new law renews the Illinois Enterprise Zone program, which is one of the state's most vital economic tools. During its history, 42,543 businesses have invested in enterprise zones. Businesses located in enterprise zones have created 354,762 jobs and retained 536,562 jobs. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 43 states, including Illinois, have enterprise zone programs under a variety of different program names.

"By helping our communities become enterprise zones, we are giving them a leg up on the competition in drawing companies to their areas, " said Rep. Bradley. "I would like to thank Governor Quinn for signing this law to help bring businesses to every corner of Illinois."

"The Illinois enterprise zone program is a vital tool for growing jobs and attracting investment in Illinois. We applaud Governor Quinn and the General Assembly for taking action and sending a positive message to the business community," said Greg Baise, president & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, a statewide business group representing nearly 4,000 companies. "Enacting a long-term extension of this successful program is another step in making Illinois a good place to do business and providing stability for employers." 

"As economic developers, we compete every day for jobs and investment with locations throughout the country and around the world and the Illinois Enterprise Zone program has kept us in the game for nearly 30 years," said Craig Coil, president of the Illinois Enterprise Zone Association and the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County. "By passing and signing this bill, Governor Quinn and the General Assembly have helped all of us who are involved in economic development in Illinois and the communities we represent remain competitive for the foreseeable future."

"We are listening to what companies say they need to thrive," said David Vaught, acting director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. "They tell us that the Illinois Enterprise Zone program is one of the most effective economic development tools in the state's tool box. By extending the program for 25 years, companies have a predictable environment in which they can create jobs and fuel economic growth."

SB 3616 is effective immediately. The Governor will make stops today in Chicago, Rockford, Quad Cities, Peoria, Decatur and Mount Vernon to highlight the new law that will boost economic growth in communities across Illinois.

For more information on why Illinois is the right place for business, visit http://illinoisbiz.biz.

 

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