Margaret Vaughn/Rep. McSweeney

To: SBOC/NWBOCA
From: Margaret Vaughn, ICCA Lobbyist mvaughn@springnet1.com mvaughn@springnet1.com 217-280-0206

Background: Rep. McSweeney introduced (HB 4246, HB 4247, HB 4248) in response to a story (planted by a right wing media outlet) on how much was being spent at the IML and School Alliance (School Boards, School Administrators, School Principals) conventions in Chicago. The initial intent was just to have it apply to elected officials but then the sponsor decided to make it broad to apply to all employees/officials of units of local government. Co-Sponsor Rep. Skillikorn was quoted as a saying that “haven’t they heard of Skype?” and “Can’t they meet at Dunkin Donuts? ” as part of the solution. While horrible public policy, these type of bills make for great campaign literature.

Problem: Of the three bills that were introduced, HB 4247 was assigned to the House Executive Committee (the others are still I the Rules Committee) but at this time no hearing is scheduled. The following co-sponsors listed below (many of whom are democratic targets). The legislation defines “convention or gathering of personnel” to include includes but is not limited to leagues or associations that include 2 or more separate units of local government” for the purposes of professional education, training, retraining or personal developments defined and bans the use of state funds for use of for rent or pay for access to physical space for booths, hospitality suites or other physical space at such events convention. Public safety employees are exempt but is strictly limited to police and fire.

What You Can Do: 1) Look at the list below and if any of these co-sponsors are from your area call their offices and let them know you oppose it because it would restrict education and training for building safety and public health professionals in their communities. If you are not sure who your state representative is go to https://www.illinoispolicy.org/maps/ 2) Email me back if you call them and let me know so I can keep track. 3) I am reaching out to other organizations IL Rural Health Association, IL Public Health Association to oppose and if you are able to get any other groups to oppose let me know; and 4) Ask the other groups that are opposed, to send an email directly to Pat Bessler pbessler@hrs.ilga.gov who is doing the bill analysis for the House Republicans and Mark Jarmer MJarmer@hds.ilga.gov who is doing the bill analysis for the House Dems. – Thanks!

HB 4247 –Bans use of state fund for educational meetings for locals

Main Sponsor- Representative David McSweeney (R) – Barrington, Algonquin, Barrington, Barrington Hills, Carpentersville, Cary, Crystal Lake East Dundee, Fox River Grove, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Island Lake Barrington,Oakwood Hills,Court Barrington,South Barrington, Tower Lake Trout Valley, and Wauconda

Springfield Phone: (217) 782-1517

Email: mcsweeney@ilhousegop.org

Co- Sponsors

Representative Allen Skillicorn (R)- Crystal Lake

Springfield Phone: (217) 782-0432

Email: skillicorn@ilhousegop.org

Representative Grant Wehrli (R) - Naperville

Springfield Phone: (217) 782-6507

Email: 41districtdirector@gmail.com

Representative Jonathan Carroll (D) – Buffalo Grove

Springfield Phone: (217) 558-1004

Email: repjonathancarroll@gmail.com