IVCA Provides Updates for State Legislative Issues – 08/17/22

Illinois Venture Capital Association Illinois Legislative Report
David Stricklin / Stricklin & Associates
Wednesday, August 17, 2022

DATELINE: ILLINOIS STATE FAIR

This week is for the party faithful as Illinois Democrats and Republicans descend on Springfield and the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Today Democrats are rallying once in the morning at the convention center then later at the fairgrounds for more speech-making and a performance by a country music artist Chris Young courtesy the JB Pritzker for Governor campaign. Illinois Democrats have been through a vigorous intramural battle over selecting a new party chair, State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, who replaces U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly. The Pritzker forces flexed their political muscle to align with Hernandez.

Republicans begin arriving later today for their rounds of fundraisers and meet and greets before taking over the fairgrounds tomorrow.  A generation ago, these were defining moments in the election cycle.  Social media and other ways of reaching voters directly have muted their importance, however the nostalgia of candidates standing before big crowds and making their pitch is still compelling political theater.

PRITZKER/BAILEY DEBATE

Mark your calendars for September 22 for a televised debate between incumbent Governor JB Pritzker and his challenger, Illinois State Senator Darren Bailey. Republican primary voters nominated Bailey to run as a staunch conservative in a fairly “BLUE” state politically. Illinois has 102 counties, and Bailey may very well win close to 100 of them. In Cook County and other suburban areas, his challenge will be to reach whatever “undecided” voters still exist while his campaign is focused on hot-button social issues.

BAILEY HITS HOT-BUTTONS
SPECIAL SESSION UNLIKELY
 
On, and off, appears to be off for now for a special legislative session to address abortion and gun control. In the wake of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe, and the mass shooting in Highland Park, there have been times when the governor and/or the legislative leaders have signaled their interest in convening a special session. The momentum to do that just doesn’t seem to be there for now.

ILLINOIS FISCAL CONDITION 
The link above is the monthly analysis of revenue, spending, and other economic factors. Always worth a few minutes to review.