4  ILLINOIS BUSINESS LEADER
FEATURE
In mid-November, Illinois lawmakers 
returned to Springfield for the fall 
veto session. After a somewhat 
raucous national election, the Illinois 
state legislature was quiet as it 
concerned official action. 
	
Part of that is because the Illinois 
General Assembly will maintain 
exact same partisan breakdown in 
the 104th General Assembly as it did 
in the 103rd. That is, a 78-40 (Dem 
Supermajority) in the House and 
40-19 (Dem Supermajority) in the 
Senate. With no vetoes to consider, 
there were very few reasons for the 
legislature to act on substantive 
legislation.
	
There was some floor action 
of note throughout the week with 
impact on the business community 
(highlighted below) but it was 
relatively minor. Ultimately, veto 
session can be described as a time 
that was used for agenda-setting and 
party caucusing.
	
We are now watching to see what 
“big ticket” legislative items may 
emerge during the lame-duck session 
as a response to the new presidential 
administration. We hear that there 
may be legislative movement on three 
topics: the environment, healthcare, 
and immigration. Specifics are 
unclear at this time. We’ll keep 
Chamber members informed as that 
time approaches.
	
Both chambers have released 
their spring session calendars. View 
the House here. View the Senate 
here. 
	
As of now, the lame-duck 
session is expected to be busy. Mark 
January 2nd-7th on your calendars as 
potential dates for legislative activity. 
January 8th is the inauguration of the 
104th General Assembly. 
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY 
OF INTEREST
HB 793, 14(c) Certificate Transition 
passed the Senate 43-11-0 and has 
now passed both chambers. 
	
Among other things, this bill 
requires the Department of Human 
Services to eliminate on December 
31, 2029 the use of active or pending 
certificates authorized under 
Section 14(c) the federal Fair Labor 
Standards Act of 1938. 
	
It requires the Department of 
Healthcare and Family Services, in 
partnership with the Department 
of Human Services, to file an 
amendment to the Home and 
Community-Based Services 
Waiver Program for Adults 
with Developmental Disabilities 
authorized under the Social Security 
Act to increase the rates for the 
following waiver services: Supported 
Employment - Small Group 
Supports. Requires the amendment 
to be filed by January 1, 2025.
	
In provisions requiring the 
Employment and Economic 
Opportunity for Persons with 
Disabilities Task Force to create 
a multi-year plan to eliminate 
Section 14(c) certificates, requires 
the Task Force to create the multi-
year plan with the Illinois Council 
on Developmental Disabilities and 
an academic partner with relevant 
By Andrew Cunningham
Executive Director
Infrastructure Council & 
Director of Legislative Relations
After a somewhat 
raucous national 
election, the Illinois 
state legislature was 
quiet as it concerned 
official action.
Lawmakers Return to Springfield for Quiet Veto  

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