Governor’s Highlights:
Gov. JB Pritzker has appointed Oswaldo Alvarez and Marishonta Wilkerson to lead the state’s effort to ensure an accurate and complete 2020 Census count for the state of Illinois.
Illinois taxpayers who incurred tax liabilities between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2018 may be eligible for the one-time tax amnesty program. The program is predicted to bring in $175 million in revenue for the state. Beginning October 1, 2019, eligible taxpayers who pay their eligible tax liabilities in full will have associated penalties and interest waived. Taxpayers have until November 15, 2019 to make a full payment on their liabilities and file the required paperwork with the Illinois Department of Revenue.
To participate in Illinois’ Tax Amnesty Program, taxpayers must pay all outstanding tax on an amnesty qualifying period in order to have eligible penalties and interest waived. Taxpayers who failed to file during the original filing period will need to file an original return in addition to making full payment of tax due. For taxpayers who want to report changes to previously filed returns, an amended tax return and full payment of tax due are required. The tax amnesty program includes most types of tax liabilities and penalties, but excludes taxes not collected by IDOR, such as property or local government taxes, and some fees, such as bad check fees and outside collection agency fees.
IDOR is in the process of mailing notices to certain eligible taxpayers listing their liabilities and giving instructions on how to pay.
101st General Assembly:
HB 3887 (Wehrli), filed Friday in Springfield, creates the Flavored Tobacco Ban Act, and sets penalties for individuals and manufactures who would sell the products illegally. In addition to traditional flavored nicotine delivery systems, including vaping pens, the bill would ban tobacco products that include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in cannabis, or a mixture of nicotine and THC. Gov. JB Pritzker indicated that he “supports the efforts of state lawmakers to outlaw flavored e-cigarettes and vaping products, and also supports those proposals moving forward during the fall veto session.”
HB3888 (Mayfield) was filed to address regulation of ethylene oxide. Key points include:
● Phases out of ethylene oxide emissions by 2021 for sterilization facilities, and 2022 for hospitals
● Prevents emissions from hospitals or sterilizers near population centers and schools by including a regional cap
● Requires air monitoring for all emissions sources
● Requires reporting by the Illinois EPA on where EtO is used, how much is used, and the estimated impact
● Requires reporting of EtO emissions by all manufacturers
● Prohibits the uncontrolled venting or dumping of ethylene oxide
● Enhances public information for community members, including plans of the phase-out for each site
The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability issued Illinois Wagering Update for 2019. A copy of the report is here.
House Speaker Michael Madigan formed a 20-member bipartisan House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force which will review the issue of gun violence and make recommendations designed to reduce violence. Rep. Ford will chair the Task Force. Other democratic members include: Reps. Monica Bristow, Sonya Harper, Barbara Hernandez, Yehiel “Mark” Kalish, Stephanie Kifowit, Theresa Mah, Martin Moylan, Aaron Ortiz and Kathleen Willis. Leader Durkin’s appointments are pending.
Coming Up:
The House Energy & Environment Committee will hold a hearing on Sept. 30 at 10:00 AM at the Bilandic Building in Chicago to discuss an update on Ethylene Oxide emitting facilities.