Government Affairs Report

Legislation to Watch:

HB 118 (Guzzardi) Recovery of Damages for Underpayment in Wages

This bill provides that an employee is entitled to recover damages of 5% (rather than 2%) of the amount of any underpayments in wages for each month following the date of payment during which such underpayments remain unpaid. This legislation passed out of committee and is now on the House calendar for a second reading. The Chamber opposes this legislation.

HB 353 (Flowers) Essential Worker Minimum Wage

This bill was assigned to the Wage Policy & Study Subcommittee. This bill increases the minimum wage to $20 per hour for essential workers for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Chamber Opposes this legislation.

HB 711 (Harris) Prior Authorization Changes

This bill passed out of the Human Services Committee by a vote of 15-0-0. This bill provides requirements concerning disclosure and review of prior authorization requirements, denial of claims or coverage by a utilization review organization, and the implementation of prior authorization requirements or restrictions. Provides requirements concerning a utilization review organization's obligations with respect to prior authorizations in nonurgent circumstances, urgent health care services, and emergency health care services. Provides that a utilization review organization shall not require prior authorization under specified circumstances. Provides requirements concerning the length of prior authorizations. Provides that health care services are automatically deemed authorized if a utilization review organization fails to comply with the requirements of the Act. Provides that the Director of Insurance may impose an administrative fine not to exceed $250,000 for violations of the Act. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code to change the definition of "emergency medical condition". Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act to provide that companies that transact accident and health insurance shall comply with specified requirements of the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act.

SB 58 (Muñoz) Trade-In Cap

This bill eliminates the $10,000 cap on automobile trade-ins. On Wednesday, SB 58 passed the Senate 53-0-1 and is now in the House.

SB 1730 (Jones III) Public Corporations, Identity of Directors

This bill amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983. Provides that public corporations must report the self-identified sexual orientation and self-identified gender identity of it directors. Effective January 1, 2022. This bill has been assigned to the Senate Commerce committee. We'd like to know the opinion of members on this legislation. Please reach out with any feedback you may have.


Government Affairs Report Legislation to Watch: HB 118 (Guzzardi) Recovery of Damages for Underpayment in Wages This bill provides that an employee is entitled to recover damages of 5% (rather than 2%) of the amount of any underpayments in wages for each month following the date of payment during which such underpayments remain unpaid. This legislation passed out of committee and is now on the House calendar for a second reading. The Chamber opposes this legislation. HB 353 (Flowers) Essential Worker Minimum Wage This bill was assigned to the Wage Policy & Study Subcommittee. This bill increases the minimum wage to $20 per hour for essential workers for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Chamber Opposes this legislation. HB 711 (Harris) Prior Authorization Changes This bill passed out of the Human Services Committee by a vote of 15-0-0. This bill provides requirements concerning disclosure and review of prior authorization requirements, denial of claims or coverage by a utilization review organization, and the implementation of prior authorization requirements or restrictions. Provides requirements concerning a utilization review organization's obligations with respect to prior authorizations in nonurgent circumstances, urgent health care services, and emergency health care services. Provides that a utilization review organization shall not require prior authorization under specified circumstances. Provides requirements concerning the length of prior authorizations. Provides that health care services are automatically deemed authorized if a utilization review organization fails to comply with the requirements of the Act. Provides that the Director of Insurance may impose an administrative fine not to exceed $250,000 for violations of the Act. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code to change the definition of "emergency medical condition". Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act to provide that companies that transact accident and health insurance shall comply with specified requirements of the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. SB 58 (Muñoz) Trade-In Cap This bill eliminates the $10,000 cap on automobile trade-ins. On Wednesday, SB 58 passed the Senate 53-0-1 and is now in the House. SB 1730 (Jones III) Public Corporations, Identity of Directors This bill amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983. Provides that public corporations must report the self-identified sexual orientation and self-identified gender identity of it directors. Effective January 1, 2022. This bill has been assigned to the Senate Commerce committee. We'd like to know the opinion of members on this legislation. Please reach out with any feedback you may have.
Single Column- Chamber Newsletter - March 19, 2021