2022 End of Year Legislative/Political Report

January 3, 2023 - Action

Biden/Pritzker 2023 Infrastructure Investments:

2023 Illinois Capital Funding Part of the $45 Billion Rebuild Illinois Plan

Provides continued utilization of $1 billion in ARPA funds to cash-fund critical water and sewer infrastructure

projects and for statewide broadband, including Connect Illinois

Fully funds the fiscal year 2023 Road Program at an estimated $3.76 billion
new capital projects proposal totals approximately $4.108 billion, and reappropriations including federal funds

and bonds equal $42.356 billion.

Biden's $17 Billion Infrastructure Illinois plan over next 10 years:

I. 7 billion to .. improve drinking and wastewater infrastructure throughout Illinois.'· building on legislative

proposals Duckworth has been leading.

$9.8 billion for federal highway projects.
$ I .4 billion for bridge replacement and repairs. Plus the state could get more if successful in competitive

grants.

About $4 billion ·'to improve public transportation options across the state."
At lea t $100 million for broadband coverage across the state. At present, there are about 228.000 lllinoi ans

who currently do not have broadband. About 2.9 million low-income Illinoisans would get an internet acce

benefit.

Approximately $616 million for airport improvements. Under a new Airport Terminal Improvement program.

a $5 billion funding pool will be in place through Sept. 30, 2030 for the secretary of tran portation to pro ide

competitive grants for '·projects that address the aging infrastructure of the nation's airport ."'

Biden's 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

For the Illinois Budget in 2023, the state appropriated the remaining $4 billion from the $13.7 Billon federal American

Rescue Plan Act funding, ARP included $8.1 billion for state and local governments to maintain operations during the

height of the pandemic.

General Assembly:

As the 102nd General Assembly concludes with the lame duck session the first week of January 2023, its time to reflect

how successful this two year term has been in regard to putting LIUNA members in the best position to benefit from

Public Actions. The term started with the historic change in House Leadership with Speaker Chris Welch replacing long

time union stalwart Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Speaker Welch has continued to be a great friend to LIUNA. We had

many measurable successes, but most importantly we protected the Union from bad laws, roll backs of infrastructure

funds, jurisdiction through legislation measures, etc, the bad laws will be a continuing battle in the session ahead. Some

big wins include the following:

Put the Workers' Rights Amendment on the ballot and was signed into the Illinois Constitution this

month.

Prevailing Wage on all wind and solar projects through the Illinois Power Agency, PLAs on large scale
PLAs on any new casinos in the state - Chicago, Rockford, Lake County, South Cook, etc
PLAs on affordable housing in Cook County that take advantage of new tax credit
Wage Theft Protections - making the GC liable for non-union subs that steal from their employees