Legislation

 

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Reports | Legislation Archive 

Mission

The mission of the Legislative Committee is to advocate for the interests of HCAA members to our area legislators and keep HCAA members informed about pertinent legislative activities.

Goals for 2022

  • Stay informed of news related to pension and health care for retirees.
  • Observe Governor Pritzker’s approach to state issues.
  • Meet with local officials, especially those who are newly elected, to share information about the HCAA organization.

Committee: Linda Kolbusz-Kosan, Jim Edstrom (Chair)

Reports

Please select the Report Heading to view the details of the report.

January 2023, HCAA Legislative Committee Report

News Highlights

  • The need to pay attention to what happens in local elections is highlighted by the Illinois Policy Institute’s active recruitment of citizens across the state to run for local school board positions in order to fight for their stance on a variety of issues affecting the field of education.

  • A report from the American Association of Community Colleges shared information that highlights the cost effectiveness of investing public money into community colleges.  They found a cumulative return of $6.80 over the working life of a student for every tax dollar invested in community colleges.

  • The Illinois House passed HB 1293 in November, which urges the state’s five retirement systems to divest their holdings in companies headquartered in Belarus and Russia, in retaliation for their participation in the war in Ukraine.

 

November 2022, HCAA Legislative Committee Report

News Highlights

  • Incumbent Governor J.B. Pritzker won re-election on November 8th.  Democrats won the top executive positions across the Board, along with a majority in the State House and Senate.

  • Amendment 1, known as the Workers’ Rights Amendment, passed with 58.41% voting Yes, to 41.59% voting No.

  • The District 15 Moving Forward referendum also passed, with 62.67% voting Yes, to 37.33% voting No.

October 2022, HCAA Legislative Committee Report – click below:

https://myhcaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/HCAA-Legislative-report-October-4-2022-2R.pdf

News Highlights

  • Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan will officially be the only health insurance option for roughly 140,000 retired state workers for the next five or more years.  Open enrollment for state retirees has been pushed back to November 1st, from the usual October 1st start date.   The state will hold in-person meetings between November 1st and 18th (locations and exact schedule unknown at this point), and three virtual opportunities on Oct. 25th, 26th, and 27th (times unknown).  Watch for further information in your mail and/or email from SUAA and CMS. 

  • 294 members of the House of Representatives have now co-signed H.R. 82, which would repeal WEP (Windfall Elimination Program) and GPO (Government Pension Offset).  A formal House vote has been requested.

  • The General Election on November 8th is fast approaching.  Please make sure you’re registered to vote, and to educate yourself on the various candidates running, including the two open judge positions on the Illinois Supreme Court.   One useful tool to help you gather information is BallotReady https://www.ballotready.org/, but the full Legislative Report on the HCAA website has many other additional tools and resources.

September 2022, HCAA Legislative Committee Report

News Highlights

  • There will be two openings for the Illinois Supreme Court on November’s ballot.  HCAA encourages everyone to make sure they’re registered to vote, and to read about and vote on all individuals running for office, including the judges.

  • The Illinois Policy Institute listed and debunked nine myths about mail-in voting in Illinois.

    Illinois passed a law in June that will require each public university and community college to designate a “benefits navigator” to help students locate and apply for various types of assistance and resources.

  • The Amendment 1 proposal, related to ensuring the rights of employees to organize and bargain collectively, will be on the ballot in November.

July 2022, HCAA Legislative Committee Report

Goals for 2021

  • Stay informed of news related to pension and health care for retirees.
  • Observe Governor Pritzker’s approach to state issues.
  • Meet with local officials, especially those who are newly elected, to share information about the HCAA organization.

Committee: Linda Kolbusz-Kosan, Michael Nejman (Interim Chair), Steve Catlin, Linda Frank

Reports

Please select the Report Heading to view the details of the report.

2021

November 2021, HCAA Legislative Committee Report

News Highlights

  • SUAA at The Capitol 2022 Legislative Platform. See the SUAA proposed platform for 2022 from the SUAA website.
  • Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Illinois’ new congressional district map into law on November 23, formalizing political boundaries.

September 2021, HCAA Legislative Committee Report

News Highlights

  • A study from the PEWS Charitable Trusts found that the state’s pension systems are “stable,” in that they are in their best position since the recession of 2008, primarily due to a high return on investments.  However, the problem of underfunding is still a very real concern.
  • A large part of the 65% increase in Illinois property taxes over the last 20 years is due to the need for homeowners to cover more of the costs of the pension debt.  Illinois property taxes are currently 6th highest in the nation.
  • The Primary election, which normally takes place in the spring, won’t be held until June 28, 2022.

May 2021, HCAA Legislative Committee Report

March 2021, HCAA Legislative Committee Report

News Highlights

  • Governor Pritzker cut $700 million in spending via executive action from the FY 2021 budget.  The FY 2022 budget spends $1.8 billion less than FY 2021.
  • U.S. Representative was elected as State Democratic Party chairperson, replacing Mike Madigan, and Angie Guerrero-Cuellar replaced him as the State Representative from the 22nd District.
  • Local elections will be held on April 6th.  Three Harper Board of Trustees incumbents’ positions are up for re-election, 4 people are running for those seats. 

January 2021, HCAA Legislative Committee Report

News Highlights

  • What are the financial woes ahead for community colleges?
  • Can free community college unite a divided U.S.?
  • Big change in Illinois General Assembly ends historic reign

Legislation Archive

2016 – 2020 Legislative Reports Archive