Lake County Legislative Committee Meeting - October 8, 2025

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting was called to order on October 7, 2025, but the official meeting date is recorded as October 8, 2025, per the administrative record.

The Lake County Legislative Committee convened to review its draft 2026 legislative agenda, receive updates on state and federal issues, and consider new legislative initiatives. The meeting included reports from lobbyists on the Illinois veto session and the federal government shutdown, presentations by SWALCO on environmental bills, and discussions on several proposed bills regarding masking, tourism funding, solar energy, microplastics, and grid modernization. Key votes included approval of support for masking bills (state HB4086 and federal H4176) and a motion to destroy old executive session recordings.

Consent Calendar

• Motioned and seconded to approve consent agenda (passing previous meeting minutes). Passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

• State Update (Springfield) – Derek reported on the upcoming veto session (October 14-30). Key issues: budget (4% holdback ordered by Governor, $1.12 billion identified), mass transit funding (deficit dropped from $711 million to $200 million due to revenue collections and fiscal actions, but long-term need remains), and pensions (a $62 billion bill unlikely to advance). The mass transit bill may be split between reform (veto session) and fiscal solutions (2026).
• Federal Shutdown Update – Greg Bales reported the federal government shut down October 1. Congress passed only 3 of 12 appropriations bills. A clean continuing resolution passed the House but lacks 60 Senate votes; Democrats seek extension of ACA premium tax credits. Active duty military pay may expire October 15. The administration is requiring agencies to prepare reduction-in-force plans, which may lead to permanent job eliminations. No Lake County grants have been paused or terminated so far.
• Draft 2026 Legislative Agenda – Matt Myers presented the draft, including state initiatives (FOIA reform, PTAB hearing locations, Illinois Homes Tax Credit Act, local health protection grant funding, decriminalizing homelessness, Waukegan coal ash removal, solid waste agency, missing middle housing, EV fire standards, railway safety, broadband, heavy truck weight limits, and gun violence prevention). Topics of importance include bird-friendly building design (to remain). Three new initiatives were added: mattress recycling, volunteer lake monitoring program restoration, and engineer licensing reform.
• SWALCO Legislative Program – Walter Willis presented bills for 2026: (1) Food scrap diversion (SB1397/1398) – supporting market development and mandatory diversion; (2) Household hazardous waste producer responsibility (SB1394/HB1893); (3) Mattress recycling – new bill to add an eco-fee similar to carpet (carpet bill stalled); (4) Plastic bag bill – SWALCO opposes the current SB1827 (which bans plastic bags after 3 years, with a static 10-cent fee on paper bags and no fee on reusable bags) because it does not change consumer behavior significantly and gives retailers windfall profits. SWALCO proposes an escalating fee on all bags to drive down usage, with revenue shared with local governments. Committee consensus: add mattress bill as item of interest, monitor plastic bag bill.
• Engineer Licensing Reform – Chair Hart proposed a bill to allow graduates of engineering technology programs (e.g., from HBCUs) to sit for the professional engineer exam, addressing a national engineer shortage. Nine states (including Illinois) restrict this. Committee directed staff to research further.
• Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program – Chair Wasick requested restoring IEPA funding (formerly $30,000–40,000/year) for volunteer monitoring of cyanobacteria in lakes. Committee agreed to add as an item of interest.
• Masking Bills – Discussion of state HB4086 and federal H4176 (No Secret Police Act), prohibiting law enforcement from wearing masks while interacting with the public, requiring name/badge numbers. Debate centered on officer safety vs. transparency and accountability. Some members expressed concerns about threats to officers, while others emphasized the need for transparency, especially regarding federal ICE operations. Roll call vote: 3 ayes (Roberts, Velitzek, Chair) and 2 nos (Vice Chair, Schleck). Motion passed; committee will support both bills.
• Tourism Fund Diversion – Member Casmin presented SB2053/HB3100, which would freeze the annual transfer of hotel/motel tax revenue to the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA) at $77.9 million (current level) instead of allowing 5.615% annual increases through 2033, redirecting future growth to tourism marketing. Committee requested additional research on fiscal impact and sponsor information before a vote next month.
• Solar Energy Bill – HB4141 (or similar) would prohibit local governments and HOAs from banning residential solar installations. Discussion: The county already has permissive solar policies and SolSmart Gold status. Concerns were raised about preemption of local control, particularly regarding large-scale solar farms. Committee voted to support.
• Microfiber Filter Bill – HB1370 would require new residential washing machines sold after January 1, 2030 to include a microfiber filter. Committee expressed support.
• Powering Up Illinois Act – SB2196 would require large utilities to upgrade grid capacity for electrification, reduce interconnection delays, and improve workforce readiness. Committee expressed support.
• Route 53 Greenway – Added as an item of interest to monitor ongoing discussions between IDOT, IDNR, and Forest Preserve.

Key Outcomes

• Passed (roll call): Support for state HB4086 and federal H4176 (masking bills) – 3 ayes, 2 nos.
• Passed (voice): Motion to destroy old executive session recordings from 2013-2016 (RRL Committee). Unanimous.
• Consensus to support: HB1370 (microfiber filters), SB2196 (Powering Up Illinois Act), HB4141 (solar bans prohibition).
• Consensus to add as items of interest: Mattress recycling bill, volunteer lake monitoring program restoration, Route 53 Greenway, and plastic bag bill (monitor).
• Direction for further research: Engineer licensing reform, tourism fund diversion bills (SB2053/HB3100).
• Next steps: Staff to incorporate changes and bring final 2026 legislative agenda for adoption at next month's meeting.