HJ0090sam001 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0090SAM001 LRB099 12978 GRL 37936 a

AMENDMENT TO HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 90

AMENDMENT NO. ___. Amend House Joint Resolution 90 by replacing everything after the heading with the following:

"WHEREAS, The Governor claims that local units of government are constrained by State law in their ability to bargain with their employees; and

WHEREAS, The Governor claims that collective bargaining has led to higher property taxes and hindered the economic growth of the State; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly wishes to encourage development within the State, encourage responsible use of tax dollars, and ensure the fair treatment of Illinois' highly skilled and valuable public sector employees; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly seeks to implement laws and policies that balance the interests of taxpayers and local governments with the interests of educators, public safety employees, and other vital public servants;

WHEREAS, The Governor, along with business interests, claims that the current civil justice system in Illinois allows for venue shopping, the targeting of deep pocketed defendants, and inflated medical expense verdicts, all of which the Governor claims have hindered the economic growth of the State; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly wishes to encourage business and development within the State while encouraging injured parties to pursue meritorious claims when they are harmed due to the wrongdoing of others; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly seeks to implement laws and policies that balance the interests of businesses and injured parties and that further a fair and efficient judicial system; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Task Force on Civil Law Practice and Procedure is created to examine the number of lawsuits filed in Illinois, specifically from out-of-state parties; proper venue; liability of parties; the calculation of medical expenses; the effects of the Illinois civil justice system on the economic growth of the State; the specific proposals contained in Senate Bill 884, Senate Bill 2153, House Bill 4222, and House Bill 4246 of the 99th General Assembly; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Civil Law Practice and Procedure shall consist of 14 members who shall represent the diversity of the people, interests, and geography of the State and shall be appointed as follows:

(1) the Chairperson of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Chairperson of the House Judiciary - Civil Committee, who shall serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Task Force;

(2) 3 members appointed by the President of the Senate;

(3) 3 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) 2 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(5) 2 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and

(6) 2 members appointed by the Governor; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Collective Bargaining Rights and Taxpayer Protection is created to examine the effects that local collective bargaining has on property taxes, study the likely effects of limiting the collective bargaining rights of local government employees; the specific proposals contained in Senate Bill 1046, Senate Bill 2152, House Bill 4224, and House Bill 4247 of the 99th General Assembly; and local tax policies, including but not limited to tax credits and exemptions; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Local Collective Bargaining and Taxpayer Protection shall consist of 14 members who shall represent the diversity of the people, interests, and geography of the State and shall be appointed as follows:

(1) the Chairperson of the Senate Labor Committee and the Chairperson of the House Labor and Commerce Committee, who shall serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Task Force;

(2) 3 members appointed by the President of the Senate;

(3) 3 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) 2 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(5) 2 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and

(6) 2 members appointed by the Governor; and be it further

RESOLVED, That each Task Force shall hold meetings composed of a majority of the members appointed to receive testimony, and each Task Force meeting shall be open to the public with at least 6 days notice, which shall be posted on the General Assembly's website, www.ilga.gov; and be it further

RESOLVED, That at the call of the Co-Chairpersons, each Task Force shall conduct at least 4 public hearings in 4 distinct geographic regions of the State before submitting its final report; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Senate and House of Representatives shall provide administrative support to both Task Forces as needed and all members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary travel expenses; and be it further

RESOLVED, That both Task Forces may consult with and seek advice and recommendations from subject matter experts for the purpose of examining specific issues within the purview of each respective Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That each Task Force shall submit a report on its findings to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than September 1, 2016; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the final reports and any supporting documentation for each Task Force shall be made available to the public on the Illinois General Assembly's website, www.ilga.gov.".