IMA and MPAC Release New Polling Data

Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno Addresses MPAC ConferenceAt an MPAC Public Affairs Conference on Jan. 26th in Oak Brook, the Manufacturers’ Political Action Committee released the results of thirty-four recent political polls in key races for the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate.  These are the first publicly-released polls in the state during a major election year in which every seat in the General Assembly is on the ballot due to redistricting.

Click to read more ...

NLRB Extends Deadline Again ... new deadline is April 30, 2012

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has postponed the effective date of its final rule requiring employers to notify employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act, until April 30, 2012. Starting on that date, the NLRB will require most private-sector employers to conspicuously post a notice in the workplace notifying employees of their labor rights.

Click to read more ...

HHS To Give States More Flexibility To Implement Health Reform

The Department of Health and Human Services has released a bulletin outlining proposed policies that will give states more flexibility and freedom to implement the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act ensures all Americans have access to quality, affordable health insurance. To achieve this goal, the law ensures that health insurance plans offered in the individual and small group markets, both inside and outside of the Affordable Insurance Exchanges (Exchanges), offer a comprehensive package of items and services, known as “essential health benefits.”

Click to read more ...

Payroll Tax Cut Temporarily Extended Into 2012

Nearly 160 million workers will benefit from the extension of the reduced payroll tax rate that has been in effect for 2011. The Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 temporarily extends the two-percentage point payroll tax cut for employees, continuing the reduction of their Social Security tax withholding rate from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent of wages paid through Feb. 29, 2012. This reduced Social Security withholding will have no effect on employees’ future Social Security benefits.

Click to read more ...

General Assembly Passes Tax Package

On Tuesday, Dec 13th, the Senate followed Monday’s bipartisan vote in the Illinois House of Representatives and passed a $340 million tax relief package supported by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association.  The final agreement included two provisions sought by the IMA including an extension of the Research & Development tax credit and partial reinstatement of the Net Operating Loss deduction.  Governor Quinn has pledged to sign the measure into law. The tax package was contained in two separate pieces of legislation. The first, SB 397 contained the business tax relief while the second bill, SB 400, included tax benefits for individuals.

Click to read more ...