Government Affairs
Rep. Schock stops in Bloomington-Normal --
Pantagraph
BLOOMINGTON — The official, bound registry of federal regulations grew by 1½ feet during President George W. Bush’s eight years, but that pales in comparison to the 13 feet added in 2011 under President Barack Obama. READ MORE
Businesses most concerned with state debt in 2012 --
WJBC
BLOOMINGTON — What local and state issues are most pressing for 2012, according to businesses in Central Illinois? READ MORE or LISTEN to the interview.
Kinzinger: How can businesses add one more job? --
WJBC
BLOOMINGTON – U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger asked local business leaders Wednesday afternoon how they can help the state’s 1.1 million businesses add just one more job. READ MORE
Kinzinger asks county businesses for ideas on jobs --
Pantagraph
BLOOMINGTON — U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger is asking small business owners in McLean County for ideas that will generate jobs. READ MORE
Cat lobbyist: U.S. trade agreements help Central Illinois businesses --
Pantagraph
BLOOMINGTON — Recently approved trade agreements between the U.S. and Panama, Colombia and South Korea will help Central Illinois businesses compete in a global economy, a lobbyist with a Central Illinois manufacturer said Tuesday in a session here on free trade. READ MORE
Caterpillar lobbyist tells B-N businesses to speak up --
WJBC
BLOOMINGTON - Bill Lane, government affairs director for Caterpillar, spoke to about 60 community leaders at the McLean County Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Summit, held at the Doubletree by Hilton in Bloomington. READ MORE
Tenaska bill passes Illinois Senate --
WJBC
BLOOMINGTON – A bill opposed by business leaders continues to move through the General Assembly.
The Senate Tuesday approved the Tenaska bill, a clean coal plant in Taylorville which would require Illinois utilities to buy electricity from the plant for the next 30 years. Ryan Whitehouse with the McLean County Chamber of Commerce said he’s disappointed the bill is moving through, but says there’s time to talk to House members. READ MORE
McLean County Chamber of Commerce launches political advocacy website --
WJBC
BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Chamber of Commerce is hoping its new website will spur local business owners to engage in more grassroots lobbying of local, state and federal elected officials. READ MORE
Official says corporate tax rate too high --
The Pantagraph
NORMAL — A U.S. Chamber of Commerce official told Twin City business leaders Monday that the federal corporate tax rate needs to be lowered to help the country compete better in a global economy. READ MORE
US Chamber tax counsel: ‘The rest of the world is moving around us’ --
WJBC
The Executive Director of Tax Policy for the United States Chamber of Commerce says the country is in danger of losing businesses to foreign powers if we don’t lower our corporate tax rate. READ MORE
Senator Durbin shops in Normal to push online sales tax bill --
WJBC
Often Running had a special customer this morning. Senator Dick Durbin was in the Uptown Normal shop to tout his new bill to create an online sales tax. READ MORE (Chamber CEO in picture)
Roskam headlines fundraiser to benefit local PAC --
WJBC
The McLean County Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee (PAC) is hosting a fundraising luncheon to help support political candidates the PAC feels are pro-business. READ MORE
McLean County Chamber wary of plan to pay regional superintendents with tax money --
WJBC
The McLean County Chamber of Commerce is questioning Governor Quinn’s proposal to pay regional school superintendents with local tax money that comes from businesses. Chamber Government and Public Affairs Director Ryan Whitehouse says the personal property replacement tax is supposed to be used on a more local level READ MORE
McLean County business leaders watching corporate tax talks --
WJBC
Corporate leaders in Illinois complain about the corporate tax structure, so what’s wrong with it? McLean County Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Director Ryan Whitehouse says it’s a high tax rate. READ MORE
McLean County Chamber of Commerce wants more workers’ compensation reform --
WJBC
Chamber Government and Public Affairs Director Ryan Whitehouse says he’d like to have seen more reform, specifically adding some language about “causation” when it comes to workplace injuries. However, Whitehouse says he’d rather make some progress than none at all. READ MORE
McLean County business owners go to Washington D.C. for conference on putting America back to work --
WJBC
A group of McLean County business owners spent some time in Washington D.C. this week. The McLean County Chamber of Commerce brought a group of 13 owners for an, “American Small Business Summit.” Government Affairs Director Ryan Whitehouse says panelists talked about healthcare, the economy and legal reforms. READ MORE
Rep. Barickman empathizes with business owners on tax hike. --
WJBC
State Representative Jason Barickman slammed the income tax increase as he stopped through Bloomington Thursday afternoon. He’s touring the district to speak to constituents. READ MORE