IL Chamber: Government Affairs Report

Budget Negotiation Meeting Gov. Bruce Rauner has called a meeting with legislative leaders on Wed., Nov. 18. An interesting twist is that this meeting will be public. So the media can attend. While there is speculation that little will come of a meeting that includes TV cameras, it is nonetheless a meeting. Unemployment Insurance Talks Negotiations on unemployment insurance reform continue at the Capitol. The Chamber will bring you details as soon as there is movement to report. Government Consolidation Panel Illinois Chamber President and CEO Todd Maisch participated in a panel that included Sen. Linda Holmes and Lake County Chairman Aaron Lawler to discuss local government efficiency and consolidation efforts. This panel was part of the first-ever Transform Illinois conference held in Chicago. The conference focused on current efforts to increase government efficiencies, and what needs to happen in the future. Procurement Summit in Springfield We still have room for few more people at the Chamber's procurement summit on Tues., Nov. 17 for anyone interested in state government's buying process. Seasoned veterans of state procurement as well as businesses interested in how to access state procurement opportunities will appreciate hearing from the speakers: Ellen Daley, CPO for General Services Lorri Lawton, CPO for Capital Development Board Bill Grunloh, CPO for Department of Transportation/Highway Construction Ben Bagby, CPO for Higher Education It will be held at the Capital City Training Center's lower level conference room, 130 W. Mason St., Springfield. This is a free event, but anyone interested must register by contacting Staci Wilson, vice president of legislative relations at the Illinois Chamber at swilson@ilchamber.org of 217/522-5512 ext 234. Staff Changes The Chamber is pleased to announce that Katie Stonewater is joining us as the executive director of the Energy Council. Stonewater most recently worked in the private industry for a female-owned small business that supports multi-million dollar government contracts.  Before that, she focused on energy and telecommunications issues for Gov. Pat Quinn, helping to run the Biofuels Investment Working Group, and she handled energy policy legislation for Cong. Jerry Costello in Washington D.C. Her knowledge and experience on energy issues will be invaluable. Please help us welcome her aboard! For more information about the Illinois Chamber of Commerce  and other government updates, visit: ilchamber.org