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Governor Quinn provided his fourth annual Budget Address

Tim Klasinski — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:27:59 +0000

(CLICK HERE to read the IMA’s Budget Press Release.) At noon today, 02/22/12, Governor Patrick Quinn provided his fourth annual Budget Address since taking office in January 2009 following the impeachment of former Governor Rod Blagojevich. Under the Illinois Constitution, the Governor is required to annually prepare and submit a balanced budget to the General Assembly.

In the coming weeks, members of the General Assembly will review the budget, meet with state agencies, conduct hearings, and ultimately pass a final budget to the Governor for his signature prior to the scheduled adjournment on May 31.

NAM: Manufacturing Renaissance gains traction with your help

Stefany Henson — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:30:17 +0000

“This is truly manufacturing’s moment! Everyone is talking about the importance of our sector from the President of the United States to the candidates on the presidential trail. As the Chair of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Small and Medium Group, I continue to believe a manufacturing renaissance is so clearly on the horizon if the right policies are put in place,” stated Kellie Johnson, President and CEO, ACE Clearwater Enterprises, and Chair, NAM Small and Medium Manufacturers Group.

“But we need your help,” she continued. “Please take a moment to view this short video to find out what the NAM is doing to support the manufacturing economy.” To view the video, click here.

You can also check out the NAM Website at www.nam.org and find out what actions you can take in Washington D.C and at home.

Governor Patrick Quinn offers his State of the State address

Tim Klasinski — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:57:11 +0000

Governor Patrick Quinn offered his State of the State address to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday and outlined his 2012 Jobs Agenda. While more specific details will be offered during the February 22 budget address, Governor Quinn put forth a four-stage strategy for growing jobs in Illinois.

IMA and MPAC Release New Polling Data

Tim Klasinski — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:17:04 +0000

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.

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

Tim Klasinski — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:36:38 +0000

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.

HHS To Give States More Flexibility To Implement Health Reform

Tim Klasinski — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:50:53 +0000

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.”

Payroll Tax Cut Temporarily Extended Into 2012

Tim Klasinski — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:47:48 +0000

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.

General Assembly Passes Tax Package

Tim Klasinski — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:56:54 +0000

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.

IMA’s Manufacturing Miles Champions Announced

Tim Klasinski — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:20:03 +0000

Great Kitchens, Inc. of Romeoville, Eaton Electrical of Lincoln and Peacock Engineering of Geneva were crowned champions of the IMA’s Manufacturing Miles competition making them the winners of up to $10,000 each for goods and services to continue their workplace wellness efforts. The announcement was made on December 2nd at the 118th IMA Annual Luncheon in Chicago.

Illinoyed

Jim Nelson — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:58:21 +0000

Businesses are threatening to leave

From an article in The Economist: The state finances in Illinois are an ugly mess of deficits, unpaid bills and tax refund backlogs. At the heart of the problem lies a public pension liability estimated at a present value of $80 billion. The state’s pension schemes are only 51% funded, the lowest rate among the 50 states. In January, in an attempt to grapple with its problems, the state raised corporate taxes from 7.3% to 9.5% and personal income tax from 3% to 5%. Although the tax hikes are theoretically temporary—and start to expire in 2015—both the rises and the continued failure of politicians to get to grips with the budget crisis are starting to worry businesses.