As many of you know, Nancie has accepted a new position and is leaving us. Today is her last day and we wanted to express our gratitude for her years of service to the Chamber and our community at large. Nancie, you will be missed!

In the meantime, board members will be filling in the various roles at the Chamber office. If you have any concerns you can continue to email them to nancie@highlandillinois.com as that email will be monitored by a board member. The phones will also be checked on a regular basis, so feel free to call 618-654-3721 and leave a message and someone will return your call as soon as possible. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we move through this transition.

SB 1838

• Update on the noncompete legislation the Illinois Chamber has been working on
• This morning the Illinois Chamber came to an agreement with the AFL-CIO regarding inclusion of the construction industry
• Exempts certain workers from the construction industry from the act.
• Waiting on a response from the office of the Attorney General regarding language. With an agreement from the AG’s office the Illinois Chamber can end debate on the issue and gain passage in the Senate.

HB 3437

• Mandate that private work in refinery and chemical plants and ethanol facilities pay prevailing wage on construction and maintenance
• Exempts 100 percent Unionized facilities from having to meet several requirements under the act
•  As part of a coalition, the Illinois Chamber is working against this bill
• There was a protest in opposition to this bill at Senator Hastings office this morning

 Bills in Committee:

HB 121

• This should be an agreed bill. There has been an amendment filed regarding work authorization that says employers are not responsible for any of the maintenance for work authorization
• With the amendment the Illinois Chamber supports this bill

Senate Human Rights Committee on Thursday

•  HB 117, Secure Choice Savings Bill

Senate State Government on Wednesday at 2pm

SB 645

• House Labor Committee
• Deals with additional sick leave exemptions
• Affects primarily the transportation industries and airlines
• the Illinois Chamber will oppose this legislation

SB 1993

• Moves the workers comp insurance compliance fraud unit to Illinois dept of insurance
• The Illinois Chamber will support this bill 

Technology Council Update  

 SB 2182, Data Center Exemptions remains on 3rd reading and was not called this week. This is an Illinois Chamber initiative and they are lobbying to have this bill heard in the next week.  

• The Senator has received an extension
• We have heard it will be called this week
• It is necessary and has the support of administration

HB 645, Future of Work Taskforce

• In Senate Commerce Committee this Thursday
•  With this bill they can take a more comprehensive look at the gig economy without enacting bad legislation
•  The Illinois Chamber wants a seat at the table in this process

The Florida Senate has passed HB 969 by a vote of 29 to 11. This is a comprehensive privacy bill but, importantly, does not have a PRA. This bill is similar to the CCPA. Thanks to the Florida Chamber and the US Chamber for their work on this issue. The Illinois Tech Chamber followed this issue as similar legislation has been introduced many times in Illinois and we expect it to remain a hot issue here- particularly next legislative session. As many of you know, lawmakers love to heavily borrow from the work done in other states.  

Infrastructure Council Update 

SB 2563, Emissions passed the Senate by a vote of 37-15-0.

• This bill has been fixed with an IDOT study. IDOT will study the issue for many years.
• With the amendment the Illinois Chamber is now neutral
• The Illinois Chamber were proud to be part of a coalition led by the two large trucking associations which reached a negotiated solution to a very problematic amendment. Special thanks to Matt Wells and Matt Hart for their work on this. 

Governor Pritzker Proposal on Electric Vehicles

• Increase the adoption of electric vehicles on the road to 1,000,000 by 2030.
• Require IEPA to issue EV charging rebates to organizations and companies who build charging stations, up to 90% of the cost of the charging station, up to $4,000 for Level 2 chargers and up to $5,000 for Level 3 chargers.
• Require electric utilities to file transportation electrification plans with the ICC for programs to address investments and incentives to facilitate the deployment of charging equipment.
• Appoint an EV Coordinator at IEPA to oversee all electric vehicle-related policies and activities and reconvene the EV Advisory Council
• Offer $4,000 rebates for consumers who buy an electric vehicle

Cairo Port project is gaining steam

• On Wednesday, it was announced that a project labor agreement had been reached between the Alexander Cairo Port District and the AFL-CIO. SB 1770 (Belt) deadline extended until this Friday to help with the wetlands mitigation issues

Senate passed bill that removed a requirement that IDOT serve as a pass through for federal funding for airports on projects

• The Illinois Chamber supports this bill as this removes one layer of government
• Allow IDOT to do more good
• This is win for aviation

REGISTER WITH CODE #1122 for discounted prices

 

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER

May 12 - The Complex Web of Independent Contractors 
This webinar will discuss the different legal tests that are used by the courts and the government agencies to explain why certain individuals are employees and not independent contractors. [REGISTER]

May 13 - Records Retention: Best Practices for Compliance, Litigation, and Beyond 
This webinar will discuss the different types and lengths of records retention under Illinois law. [REGISTER]

May 18 - Employer Rights Post Legalized Marijuana 
This webinar will highlight key points of the Illinois Cannabis and Tax Act that are of interest to employers. [REGISTER]

May 20 - Turning the Tables: How to Sue Your Employee 
This webinar will designed to educate and address common myths and misconceptions, and discuss viable methods by which an employer can realistically turn the tables against an employee or former employee. [REGISTER]

May 26 - Seven Simple Steps to Accident Investigation 
This webinar will discuss how to conduct an accident investigation in the workplace. [REGISTER]

May 27 - Train the Trainer: Anti-Sexual Harassment Training Mandatory in Illinois 
This webinar will discuss the minimum standards and content necessary to be in compliance. [REGISTER]
 

Good news! HSHS Medical Group and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital have come together to identify a solution that will enable us to resume all Occupational Health Services at the Highland Clinic effective immediately. We appreciate the community and business leaders who shared feedback and expressed appreciation for the value that this Clinic brings to Highland. We are also grateful for your patience as we worked toward a long-term solution.

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospitals in Breese and Highland and HSHS Holy Family in Greenville are celebrating National Nurses Week (May 6-12) and National Hospital Week (May 9-15) as an opportunity to thank and recognize all the dedicated health professionals and nurses who serve patients each day with respect, care, competence and joy. St. Joseph’s Breese and Highland and Holy Family are extremely proud of the team of colleagues who comprise our ministries and recognize the important role they play in providing excellent care to patients and our communities. After the last year of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to thank, recognize and celebrate that we have these health care professionals in our communities. 
 

The Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at SIUE (ITC), in partnership with the Southwest Illinois Trade and Investment Council, has created  this forum to discuss export challenges and opportunities, where you can bounce ideas off of your regional exporting peers, and develop solutions to navigate these ongoing unchartered waters due to the pandemic to remain successful in selling your goods and services to international markets.
 
Our seventh in a series of Virtual Roundtables is focused on assisting you with the questions you might have. The ITC stands ready to serve as a resource. To that end, we would like to invite you to participate in a 90 minute Zoom connection, “How to Expand Your Global Footprint with Carnets” that is uniquely created for current and potential exporters like you. On Thursday, May 20^th  from 10:30am to noon (CDT), you will have the opportunity to ask questions, share challenges and gain solutions from experienced exporters and international sales professionals.
 

Bradford National Bank to Host Spring Secure Shredding Day in Highland
 
Bradford National Bank will be hosting a free secure shredding and recycling day.  On Saturday, May 15 from 9-11am, the shred truck will be at Bradford National Bank in Highland, located at 1100 Mercantile Drive.
 
This service is being provided as a free service by Bradford National Bank.  
 
Many items can be recycled; however, Bradford National Bank recommends the secure destruction of financial documents such as canceled checks, bank statements, tax files, old bills and investment statements.  
 
Randy Alderman, Bradford National Bank Security Officer, said, “We have been doing these events twice each year in Highland for the past eight years, and each time, it gets bigger and bigger.  People understand the importance of securely destroying their old financial documents.”  He added, “We are pleased to provide this important service to the community at no charge.”
 
Delivery of items to be shredded can be contactless as well, considering the current social distancing guidelines.  Shred workers can remove the boxes and bags from the back seat, trunk, hatch, or bed of a truck.  Users of this service do not even have to get out of their car.  Items received will be shredded on-site.

Today representatives from Anderson Healthcare, Triple Net Management, The Korte Company, and City of Edwardsville ceremoniously broke ground on a new addition to the Anderson Healthcare Goshen Campus.   
 
“We are excited to add a 50,000 square foot medical building to our Goshen Campus in Edwardsville,” said Anderson Healthcare President and CEO, Keith Page. “This unique 2-story building will help us consolidate many of our Anderson Medical Group primary care practices into one convenient location,” he explained. “The facility will have clinical space for approximately 20 providers.”

In addition to Anderson Medical Group physicians, the building will house several outpatient services including an imaging center, urgent care, lab services and outpatient rehab therapies. “The imaging center will be known as the Goshen Imaging Center and will be an affiliate of the Maryville Imaging Center located in Maryville,” explained Page. “We are also in discussions with a healthcare partner to offer urgent care services specific to pediatrics.”
 

Trouw Nutrition, broke ground today on a $12.1 million addition to its existing Pilot Plant at 80 Executive Drive, Highland, IL 62249. 
 
The expansion increases the existing 8,100-square-foot Pilot Plant to a 32,052-square-foot modern new facility. By repurposing this building sustainably, Trouw Nutrition is able to limit the energy and materials required for the new plant.
Trouw Nutrition continues to invest in new blending technology for the pet food industry with this project marking the start of the company’s growth plan. 


Named the Blending Innovation Center,...

In its 2021 hospital ranking just released, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded Anderson Hospital a coveted, five-star rating.
 
The annual CMS stars program serves as a healthcare guide to hospital quality, comprising more than 50 individual measures that include hospital mortality, avoidable readmission, hospital infections and patient experience.
 
“Only 13% of hospitals nationwide are currently recognized as a 5-star facility,” explained Keith Page, Anderson Hospital President and CEO.  “We are incredibly proud of our physicians and staff for this accomplishment.”  
 
Anderson Hospital is the only hospital in southwestern Illinois to earn the 5 Star Rating.  In the St. Louis area, only 3 other hospitals hold this rating including Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Mercy St. Louis, and St. Lukes in Chesterfield.  
 
Posted on the federal “Hospital Compare” website, the CMS hospital rankings serve as hospital report cards to help inform where to best receive medical care.