House Bills 4246, 4247, 4248 prohibit the use of local government funds to pay for local government officials’ professional development and training expenses. These three bills present a significant challenge to the continuing education of professional Illinois planners and the evolution of planning practice in Illinois.
Sponsor: Rep. David McSweeney (R – 52d Dist., Cook, McHenry, Lake Counties)
HB4246 co-sponsored by Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R – 66th Dist., McHenry and Kane Counties), Rep. Grant Wehrli (R – 41st Dist., DuPage County)
HB4247 co-sponsored by Rep. Allen Skillicorn, Rep. Grant Wehrli, Rep. Johnathan Carroll (D – 57th Dist., Cook and Lake Counties), Rep. Martin Moylan (D – 55th Dist., Cook County), Rep. John Connor (D – 85th Dist., Will County), Rep. Katie Stuart (D – 112th Dist., Madison and St. Clair Counties), Rep. Deb Conroy (D – 46th Dist., DuPage County), Rep. Sue Scherer (D – 96th Dist., Macon, Sangamon, Christian Counties), Rep. Monica Bristow (D – 111th Dist., Madison County), Rep. Natalie Phelps Finnie (D – 118th Dist., Hamilton, Saline, Gallatin, Hardin, Pope, Massac, Johnson, Pulaski, and Alexander Counties), Rep. Jerry Costello II (D – 116th Dist., St. Clair, Perry, Monroe, and Randolph Counties)
HB4248 co-sponsored by Rep. Allen Skillicorn, Rep. Grant Wehrli
Summary:
Representative McSweeney has introduced a series of bills that collectively prohibit the use of local government money to pay for expenses related to employee or contractor attendance at conferences and conventions. The bills also prohibit the use of local government funds to pay for booths and exhibition space at conferences and conventions. Specifically:
HB4246 creates the Local Government Convention Expense Control Act that prohibits local government funds being expended for employee or contractor expenses at a “convention or gathering of personnel”. Convention or gathering personnel is defined to mean a gathering of employees or contractors from two or more units of local government for purposes of “professional education, training, retraining, or personnel development.
HB4247 amends the State Finance Act, creating a new Section 30 ILCS 105/14d that uses the definition for “convention or gathering of personnel” and prohibits the use of local government funds to rent or pay for access to physical space for booths, hospitality suites, or other physical space at a convention or gathering of personnel.
HB4248 appears to be a combination of HB4246 and HB4247 and, like HB4247, amends the State Finance Act, creating a new Section 30 ILCS 105/14d creating the Local Government Convention Expense Control Act.
Each bill provides an exception for: (1) public expenditures for attendance by public safety personnel at conventions or gathering of personnel; and (2) contracts that were entered into before the effective date of the bills.
Status:
HB4246 was introduced on January 12, 2018 and was referred to Rules Committee on January 16, 2018 where it still stands;
HB4247 was introduced on January 12, 2018 and was assigned to Executive Committee on January 24, 2018 where it still stands
HB4248 was introduced on January 12, 2018 and was referred to Rules Committee on January 16, 2018 where it still stands.
Analysis:
These three bills present a significant challenge to the continuing education of professional Illinois planners and the evolution of planning practice in Illinois. Illinois planners attend state, regional, and national planning conferences to learn from other planners and professionals. These educational and experiential opportunities are important to the professional development of our planning community, as well as gaining and maintaining certifications like AICP. These educational opportunities are also important to build awareness on latest “best practices” in planning being used around the country. In addition, the bills also will limit the ability of local governments to engage in important economic development activities typically conducted at conventions or gatherings of personnel like ICSC’s Deal Making Conferences. HB4246 and 4248 have not gathered additional co-sponsors. However, HB4247 that prohibits use of local government funds for display, information, and entertainment space at conventions and gatherings of personnel has gathered several co-sponsors and, as of now, has the greatest likelihood of getting reported out of committee and to the House floor for a vote.
Recommendation: Contact your state legislators to Oppose HB4246, HB4247, and HB4248 as introduced.
SAVE THE DATE!
2018 Planners Legislative Action Day #PLAD18 April 10, 2018 Springfield, IL Let your voice be heard!!
Questions? Please contact David Silverman, AICP, APA-IL Legislative Chair at legislative@ilapa.org Find out more about the APA-IL Legislative Committee at ilapa.org/legislative-committee