The General Assembly is scheduled to conclude its spring session in one week on May 31, 2013.  The session’s final legislative deadline occurs today, May 24; bills in both chambers must have a third reading. The following Policy Update reviews action related to CMAP’s agenda and legislative framework from the week of May 20-24.    Budget Before the General... Read More

On May 22, 2013, the Partnership to Build America Act (H.R. 2084) was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill would establish a $50 billion “American Infrastructure Fund” to be capitalized by the sale of 50-year bonds.  These bonds would pay a 1-percent interest rate and would not be guaranteed by the federal government.  To encourage private investors to... Read More

With two weeks left in the spring session, both the Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois Senate were in Springfield this week.  One final legislative deadline remains before the General Assembly adjourns on Friday, May 31, 2013:  Bills in both chambers must meet third reading deadlines by Friday, May 24. The following Policy Update reviews action from the week of May... Read More

As the Illinois Jobs Now! state capital program comes to a close, some transportation and business leaders have led discussions to identify revenues for a new capital program.  In May 2013, the Transportation for Illinois Coalition (TFIC) proposed to eliminate the state motor fuel tax (MFT) and remove motor fuel from the 6.25-percent state sales tax base, which would then be... Read More

Both the Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois Senate were in session this week.  Three weeks remain in this legislative session, and bills must advance out of second chamber committees by Friday, May 10, 2013. One final legislative deadline remains before the General Assembly adjourns on Friday, May 31 -- bills in both chambers must meet third reading deadlines by Friday, May... Read More