Legislative Lunch

Four of Northbrook’s state legislators will review the highlights and challenges of the current legislative session at the Chamber’s annual June legislative wrap-up lunch. Illinois Senators Susan Garrett (D-29) and Jeffrey Schoenberg (D-9) along with Representatives Karen May (D-58) and Elaine Nekritz (D-57) will each briefly discuss their legislative priorities and comment on a number of other hot topics in Springfield.

With the state’s continuing declining financial situation, the legislators are expected to comment on the outlook for the state’s economy. They will also comment on pension reform deliberations and how they plan to address the state’s unfunded pension liability. Other topics they will comment on will be their views on ways to generate more income to address budget concerns, the impact of the recently passed federal health care bill, incentives for businesses, and the need to keep and create jobs in Illinois.
Both Senators Garrett and Schoenberg hold leadership positions in the Senate and have been outspoken advocates for reform proposals for both the state’s transportation agencies and the state’s pension system.

Sen. Garrett serves as the Majority Caucus Whip and was named chair of the Senate Commerce Committee in January. Earlier this year, after almost eight months of negotiations between the Regional Transportation Authority and its three mass transit agencies, Sen. Garrett was able to push through reform legislation to bring independent oversight to the RTA, Metra, CTA and Pace suburban bus system The legislation is aimed at eliminating corruption and preventing mismanagement by subjecting them to the authority of the Executive Inspector General. She alsointroduced legislation to mandate a uniform application process for all county board-appointed positions and is the author of legislation for more access to county budget, financial and employment information.

Sen. Schoenberg, who began his term in the Senate in 2003 serves as Assistant Majority Leader and is also Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He has been an outspoken proponent of reforming the health care system for state retirees, specifically proposing means testing to determine retiree contribution towards health care, and favoring other restrictions against “double dipping.” He has been a long-standing advocate for widening a 1.2 mile stretch of Willow Road through Northfield. Legislation he sponsored earlier this year and signed into law provides financial incentives for Illinois businesses to hire new employees.

In the House, Representatives May and Nekritz have proposed cost- saving measures and also supported reforms to the state pension system. Both have also introduced legislation aimed at more transparency in government.

Rep. May, serving her sixth term, has passed legislation to reform pension systems by prohibiting double dipping, preventing pension spiking, promoting transparency in pension systems, and eliminating pensions for part-time board members. She has also introduced legislation to lower the cost of health care for small businesses by allowing the organization of health benefit purchasing cooperatives and other fiscal reform measures. She has supported several measures for transparency in government, including making all roll-call votes, and proposed legislative amendments available on General Assembly website to allow time for public comment period. As the leader of the Green Caucus, she actively supports legislation that promotes renewable energy, and would create “green jobs.”

Currently in her 5thterm in the Illinois House, Rep. Nekritz has been a leader in requiring performance based measures in the state budget process. An advocate of reducing overall spending, in 2010 she sponsored budget cuts totaling $600 million. A strong advocate for investing in infrastructure improvements, Rep. Nekritz is also an active proponent of high speed rail, and was the sponsor of legislation to authorize the use of public-private partnerships for the development of roads, bridges, airports and rail facilities in Illinois. Rep. Nekritz is the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and Vice Chair of the Personnel and Pensions Committee.

Following their brief comments, there will be plenty of time for questions and answers. Cost for the luncheon is $25 in advance and $30 at the door. To make a reservation call the Chamber at (847)498-5555 ext. 4 or register through the Chamber website www.northbrookchamber.org