A Blizzard or Just A Few Flakes ?

Veto sessions can have a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personna. Some of those weeks can be calm and unassuming, while others can be rip roaring. This season evidenced both as the uneventful first week gave way to some major policy considerations in the second. Now, all eyes are looking toward January and newly-scheduled January session days that have been announced. The House is now scheduled to be in session from January 3-7 and on January 9, 10 and 11. The Senate has added January 4, 5 and 6 to their schedule. All January dates have been described by leaders as “tentative” but there’s little doubt that most of those days will be utilized. Then, it’s out with the old session and in with the new at high noon on Wednesday, January 12.

The huge unanswered question is whether there will another flurry of activity in January or whether there will be little if any “accumulation”. With the actions of this past week regarding major issues such as police and fire pension reform (approved), civil unions (approved), gaming expansion (passed Senate/needs House action) and medical marijuana (failed) the signs for January are pointing to a continuation of substantial policy considerations. Remember that the rules for enacting bills with immediate effective dates changes on January 1, with the exception of borrowing, to a simple majority (30 Senate, 60 House) allowing the majority party to control the agenda and do pretty much as it wishes, with borrowing a giant exception.

Since his November election was certified Governor Quinn has continued to push for his proposed 1% income tax increase for education. It has been met with resistance from many fronts – many Democratic legislators, including Speaker Madigan, who prefer to see a bipartisan roll call on any revenue enhancements; human services advocates who aren’t feeling the love and would like action to help clear up the severe backlog of state payments to agencies; and Republicans, who are not inclined to vote for new revenue under any circumstances and who demand budget cuts and major policy changes (i.e. Medicaid managed care) to even consider putting votes on bonding or revenue proposals.

There are two urgent items on the January legislative agenda that Democratic leaders must resolve before the new legislative session begins on January 12 – extension of the Emergency Budget Act and the stalled $3.7 billion in bonding authority to pay the state’s pension tab.

At the end of the spring session the legislature approved the Emergency Budget Act giving the governor the power to initiate emergency rules, allowed the governor to modify or terminate state contracts, and provided for interfund borrowing with interest. That law expires on January 9, the day before the governor takes his oath of office so Democrats will want to extend the provisions and they should be able to accomplish that without too much hassle. The borrowing part, however, is another story.

Last May the House approved borrowing $3.7 billion to make the pension payment. Since House Democrats do not have the three-fifths Democratic majority needed to approve it on their own, two Republicans were convinced to cross over and provide the needed votes. The Senate, on the other hand, does have a three-fifths Democratic majority. But, because two of the majority party members are adamantly opposed to borrowing they are going to have to convince one or two Republicans to cross over and provide a vote. So far, no deal.

At the end of the first veto session week President Cullerton created two special committees to study Medicaid reform and worker’s compensation reform. He wants them to report recommendations back no later than January 3 … in time for action to be taken when the legislature meets during that week. Republican Leader Christine Radogno insists there is no quid pro quo, but Democrats are desperate to find those 36 votes for pension borrowing. The first week in January should provide for some interesting watching. Speaker Madigan has mirrored Cullerton’s action and created similar House panels so expect some attempt to forge some wide-ranging agreement.

New Session Schedule

A sliver of a schedule for the new session has been released by the legislative leadership. After the January 12 legislative swearing-in ceremonies the General Assembly will take two weeks off to organize, appoint committees, and prepare for the transaction of legislative business. Regular legislative business and weekly sessions will begin on Tuesday, February 1. The remainder of the spring session schedule will be released in the near future.

During the two January organizing weeks a number of perfunctory sessions are scheduled. No formal business is conducted but these session days allow new bills to be formally introduced and read into the record so they can be assigned to committees and readied for action.

New Members

There have been a few legislative changes that have occurred as a result of the elections.

Sen. Dan Cronin has been replaced by Sen. Ron Sandack. Cronin was elected DuPage County Board Chairman.

Sen. Dan Rutherford has been replaced by Rep. Shane Cultra. Rutherford was elected state treasurer. Rep. Jason Barickman has been appointed to replace Rep. Cultra.

Rep. John Fritchey has resigned to assume his duty as a Cook County Board Commissioner. Rep. Ann Williams is his replacement.

Rep. Bill Black has resigned effective December 31. Representative-elect Chad Hayes will replace him.

Rep. Kevin Joyce resigned during the summer. His replacement, Rep. John M. O’Sullivan, will served until the end of the current session.

Rep. Richard Myers passed away on December 1. His replacement will be named before the end of the year.

A sheet is attached to this report that was compiled by the Illinois Municipal League that provides a background on the new legislators that were elected on November 2.


Campaign Contribution Limits Begin January 1

Illinois has been a wide open state as far as campaign contributions go, until now. Senate Bill 1466, approved in 2009, becomes effective on January 1 and provides limitations, for the first time, on individuals, businesses, unions, associations, and candidate and political action committees. There are limitations on political caucus committees as well, but those limits do not apply in general elections, only primary elections. The new law also makes reporting more rigorous and open.

A great deal of criticism has been levied on the limitation exemption for party caucuses in general elections. There is every expectation that this provision will not be changed and will remain as is, at least for the foreseeable future.

A separate chart has been attached to this report that provides a breakdown and synopsis of the requirements of the new Act.

Newly elected legislators

SB1466 Campaign Finance Reform Synopsis

All Politics is Local - review of election results

Reviewing the results of Election 2010 in Illinois it is striking to see how much the adage, “all politics is local” comes into play. Yes, there was the GOP wave that will send a number of new faces to far-off Washington, D.C. But when it came to local “backyard” races there was only moderate change and no apparently no shift in the balance of power in Springfield with Governor Quinn apparently on the verge of eking out a pint-sized victory and Democrats maintaining majorities in both the Illinois Senate and House. There was some shrinkage in the size of the majorities but when the dust settled each leader retained a comfortable margin.


A Walkoff for Quinn?

The Governor’s race, still unresolved, had to be the biggest surprise of the night. In baseball jargon, the new term for a home run hit in the bottom of the ninth inning to win a game is called a “walkoff”. Quinn may have done the political equivalent on Tuesday.

Since last summer practically every poll showed Quinn behind, albeit in a close race, including the last round of polls that were published last weekend. Whether it was President Obama’s visit to Chicago that motivated Democrats, or just a last minute decision by some voters to become participants, Quinn apparently has been able to “slide into home” safely. During the last primary election Quinn appeared on the ropes and his ability to “close” earned him a win. It appears that lightening may have struck twice.


Legislative Rundown

Initial results show that the Democratic majority in the Illinois Senate will drop from 37 to 35 … a result much better than expected just a few weeks ago when the GOP thought that they might be able to wrestle the majority. That would have been a long shot, at best. What did, however, look doable was a possible Republican takeover of the Illinois House where over 20 seats were heavily contested and where 12 were needed to flip the majority. In a year that everyone thought was reminiscent of 1994 when that turnover actually did happen, it didn’t. Democrats were prepared and, while they will lose six seats, they have maintained a very workable majority of 64.

The following lists the targeted districts in each chamber and the winners and losers. Districts that turned over from one party to the other are noted in green.


Senate Targeted Races By District (7): Net Democratic loss – 2 seats

10th –Sen John Mulroe (D) def. Brian Doherty (R) (DeLeo (D) vacancy) – Chicago Northwest
22nd – Sen. Michael Noland (D) def. Steven Rauschenberger (R) – Elgin area
31st –Suzi Schmidt (R) def. Sen. Michael Bond (D) – Waukegan area
40tg – Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D) def.. Adam Baumgartner (R) – Southern Cook/Northern Will
43rd – Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi (D) def. Cedra Crenshaw (R) – Joliet area
49th –William “Sam” McCann (R) def. Sen. Deanna DeMuzio (D) . – Carlinville area
52nd – Sen. Michael Frerichs (D) def. Al Reynolds (R) – Champaign/Danville area


House Targeted Races By District (21): Net Democratic loss – 6 seats

17th – Daniel Biss (D) def. Hamilton Cheng (R) (Coulson (R) seat) – Northern Cook County – Wilmette/Evanston area
36th – Kelly Burke (D) def. Richard Grabowski (R) (Brosnahan seat) – South Cook County – Oak Lawn area
37th - Rep. Kevin McCarthy (D) def. Jeffrey Junkas (R) – Southwest Cook County - Tinley Park/Orland Park area
43rd – Rep. Keith Farnham (D) def. Ruth Munson (R) – Elgin area
44th – Rep. Fred Crespo (D) def. Billie Roth (R) – Northwest Cook County – Streamwood/Hoffman Estates area
56th – Michelle Mussman def. Ryan Higgins (R) (Froehlich seat) - Northwest Cook County – Schaumburg area
58th– Rep. Karen May (D) def. Lauren Turelli (R) – Lake County – Highland Park area
59th – Rep. Carol Sente (D) def. Danile Sugrue (R) – Lake County – Vernon Hills/Buffalo Grove area
66th – David Harris (R) def. Rep. Mark Walker (D) – Northwest Cook County – Arlington Heights/Mt. Prospect area
69th Joe Sosnowski (R) def. Ray Pendzinski (D) and Daniel Lindsey (Green) (Wait (R) seat) – Rockford/Belvidere area
71st – Richard Morthland (R) def. Dennis Ahern (D) (Boland (D) seat) – Moline area
75th – Sue Resin (R) def. Rep. Careen Gordon D) – Morris area
79th – Rep. Lisa Dugan (D) def.. Nick Been (R) and George Ochsenfeld (Green) – Will County – Bradley/Bourbonnais area
85th – Rep. Emily McAsey (D) def. Maripat Oliver (R) – Will County – Lockport/Bolingbrook area
91th – Michael Unes (R) def. Rep. Mike Smith (D) – Canton/East Peoria area
92nd – Rep. Jehan Gordon (D) def. Jim Montelongo (R) – Peoria area
98th – Wayne Rosenthal (R) def. Charles Landers (D) v. (Hannig (D) seat) – South Central Illinois
101st – Adam Brown (R) def. Rep. Bob Flider (D) – Decatur area
102nd – Rep. Ron Stephens (R) v. Deena Dailey (D) – Southwest Illinois – Troy/Greenville area
104th – Chad Hays (R) def. Michael Puhr (D) (Black (R) seat) – Danville area
112th – Dwight Kay (R) def. Rep. Jay Hoffman (D).– Southwest Illinois – Collinsville area

Probably the most surprising legislative result of the night was Sen. Michael Noland’s re-election defeat of former state Sen. Steven Rauschenberger. Noland was given practically zero chance to win in a”wave” year, having cast some fairly controversial votes during his four-year term and running against a former very popular, “unbeatable” incumbent. Noland has had a reputation as a hard charging, indefatigable candidate. He proved it this year.

JCAR

The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) provides an important function by reviewing and approving all state agency rules. Membership on JCAR is made up of twelve legislators, with three from each legislative caucus serving. There is a total of six members from each political party so committee decisions are bipartisan. JCAR membership doesn’t change much from year to year so it is surprising that one-third of its membership will change in 2011 as a result of the election. Sen. Randy Hultgren (R) was elected to Congress, Sen. Dan Rutherford (R) was elected State Treasurer, Rep. John Fritchey was elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners, and Rep. David Miller lost his bid for Comptroller. Replacements will be made by the respective legislative leaders.


Where Do We Go From Here?

How to balance a $15 billion budget will be the critical focus of the governor and the legislature during the next two, and possibly more, budget cycles. Will there be a more realistic opportunity for that to occur if Quinn does win? Probably, but that presumes that Quinn can get his leadership act together and be the adult in the room with the capacity to say no and to marshal his legislative forces. A Brady victory could make these decisions more difficult because if there was some realization after he assumed office that new revenue would be necessary Democrats would require that he get votes from GOP legislators, and that will be a herculean, if not impossible task.

What about the veto session? Will there be major decisions made in the waning days and hours of this General Assembly? Democratic legislative leaders will have to assess their prerogatives and determine whether there is any value in allowing the new legislature to begin with a clean slate. Major veto session decisions are not often easy because some losers and retirees lose their enthusiasm and may not even be in attendance. So, if there are going to be major undertakings in the next few months there will have to be a full court press to make sure that everyone is committed and that might be excruciatingly frustrating.

Will budget decisions in the legislature become more bipartisan next year? Also possible. But Democrats are going to have to let Republicans into the process, and Republicans are going to have to show a willingness to work toward solutions. When Governors Thompson and Edgar faced budget problems there was a willingness from both sides to find both a solution and the requisite votes to enact them. That has not been the case of late, and to cure the Illinois budget woes it’s going to demand bipartisanship.

A potential Quinn win, coupled with the Democratic legislative majorities and Supreme Court Justice Kilbride’s successful retention will allow the Democrats to become the first political party since the adoption of the 1970 Illinois Constitution to control the redistricting process from the beginning. Reapportionment had been a major underlying issue for the last two election cycles and will generally determine control of the General Assembly for the next ten years. Will the fact that reapportionment decisions have now become a fait accompli (if Quinn’s win is confirmed) cause legislative debate to become more tempered? That, too, is a possibility, although the odds may be long.

And The Winner Is …. ?

After all the months political debates, charges, countercharges, and millions of dollars spent on television, radio and mail to convince voters that their opponents are worse than they are, Election 2010 will mercifully draw to a close in two days. By the end of the day on November 2 we should have some idea as to what the next two years, and possibly the next decade, hold politically and governmentally in the state of Illinois.

Democrats want to keep the governor’s office and majorities in the legislature so they can control state policy for the next two years, but also draw the reapportionment map that could put them in legislative control for the next ten. Republicans, on the other hand, feel emboldened and have put on a full frontal assault hoping to capture the governor’s office and possibly into a majority in the House. Either one would give them a 50/50 chance to control the reapportionment process that will begin in the spring.

With literally hours to go in the governor’s race it appears that the race is in a virtual dead heat. The number of targeted legislative races has expanded over the last few weeks so there are as many as 30 house districts being contested along with a dozen or so senate seats. The contested legislative seats are not focused in any one area so observers are going to have to wait for local returns from almost every area of the state. That should make for a long night on Tuesday as results trickle in.

The magic numbers for Tuesday night are 60 and 30. Those are the numbers that a party will need to control each of the legislative chambers. Sixty members of one party control the House and 30 control the Senate. Will Democrats be able to withstand the expected GOP/Tea Party onslaught? Have they been able to create a game plan that will offer different result than in 1994 when Republicans ran the table and captured every state office and control of the legislature? What happens if there is a 59-59 tie in the House? (Quick answer: Very ugly and gridlocked paralysis for two years.) Tune in Tuesday night …

For those who wish to follow the status of the legislative elections during Tuesday night, you might try www.capitalfaxblog. They may have compiled reports from the field that will provide the status of many legislative races, and all in one place.

Lame Ducks

Prior to every post-election season legislative session speculation abounds regarding major policy enactments by the General Assembly with lame duck legislators providing the necessary votes. In reality, such major policy decisions seldom occur.

Lame ducks can be classified in two categories: 1) Retired/defeated and committed, and 2) Retired/defeated and uncommitted.

The first category is comprised of legislators who feel a deep affinity for the legislative process and who feel that it is their responsibility to participate fully in the process until the final session gavel comes down. Most soon-to-be former legislators fit into this category. The second category is generally comprised of a few who may have retired because they looked upon the process as a burden or who are angry because they were “rejected” by their constituents in their reelection efforts. Their commitment to seeing the process through to the end is questionable.

Putting together the votes for a major initiative in the yearly veto session requires an extraordinary number of votes for it to be effective immediately. Generally, committed legislators who will not be returning, by and large, stay true to their philosophies and generally will not cross over and breach their principles. Additionally, some in this category may have plans to run for office again so it is even more unlikely that they will cast an odd vote. On the other hand, the few uncommitted legislators may not even be counted on to be in Springfield during post-election session days, let alone counting on a vote or convincing them to vote on a major piece of legislation.

What all this suggests is that putting together a successful roll call to enact a major initiative, such as a tax increase, is not an easy task. Can it happen? Surely. However, it’s never easy as the lack of such successful efforts in the past can attest.


Disorder in the Court?

One of the important results to watch on election night will be the effort to unseat Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride. Democrats currently hold and traditionally have held a 4-3 majority on the Illinois Supreme Court. In the past the four Democratic votes have come from the three Cook County justices along with the justice elected from southern Illinois. In the past ten years two upsets have occurred that skewed this formula. In 2004 a Republican, Lloyd Karmeier, was elected from the southern Illinois district and in 2000 Democrat Thomas Kilbride was elected from the normally Republican 3rd District that stretches from Will County to Rock Island. Illinois supreme court justices serve for ten years and then appear on a retention ballot. They must receive 60 percent approval to be retained. It’s Justice Kilbride’s turn at bat in 2010 and it’s been a battle royale.

Why? The simple answer is caps on malpractice awards. Twice in the last forty years the legislature has approved malpractice award caps and twice, most recently last February, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled those caps unconstitutional with a four-vote majority. Change one vote and the possibility of major policy change in Illinois becomes possible. Enter Kilbride and his retention effort. The pro-caps, anti-Kilbride groups are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to deny him retention and have been brutal in their representation of his record. Kilbride has countered by presenting testimonials from a bipartisan broad cross-section of prominent persons touting his record. Remember that judicial elections aren’t generally issue-oriented -- judicial candidates are forbidden to be specific on how they would rule on specific issues or cases so races become focused more on background, values and trust.

A possible GOP Supreme Court majority also puts them in a position to rule on the state legislative reapportionment case when it arrives there, as it always does, sometime in mid-to-late 2011. The results in the gubernatorial and legislative races will be the first step in the remap process. The Illinois Supreme Court is the last, final and most important step, especially since they could discard any map presented to it and rule for another. That map will determine the legislative politics in Illinois for the next ten years. So keep an eye on this race Tuesday night. The impact could significantly impact the Illinois governmental and political landscape for years.

Who’s Next?

One of the major and sometimes overriding factors that determine the nature of the General Assembly’s fiscal and policy decisions is the city of Chicago, and the actions of its legislative delegation are very much dictated by leadership philosophy and the perceived needs of the person sitting in the mayor’s chair. In 2011 there may be a void in the direction that the city delegation is given due to the announced retirement of Mayor Richard M. Daley. Not only has his early retirement announcement created a scramble for the legion of mayors-in-waiting who wish to succeed him, but it may also create a rudderless legislative delegation searching for direction at a time when the state and city both are struggling financially.

According to the 2011 election calendar, mayoral candidates must file their petitions no later than November 22. Even though candidates will have a week to withdraw, and some will, it will provide a good glimpse of the expected large number of individuals who want to try to grab for this possible once-in-a-generation ‘brass ring’. The non-partisan primary election is scheduled to be held on February 22. If no candidate receives 50 percent then the top two will face off on April 5. The winner will take office on May 16 … while the General Assembly session adjournment date is May 31, only two weeks later.

If there is a sure winner on February 22 then there probably would be some consultation and coordination between the current and incoming administrations and the Chicago delegation. With the large number of candidates expected to run, however, it is widely expected that April 5 will be the date that the next mayor is elected. Not much time will remain for the new administration to get its priorities in order and its delegation marching in sync.

The needs and desires of the City of Chicago are not always the preeminent factor in legislative deliberation and they don’t always get what they want. But, like it or not, they are a very large delegation and a factor, and sometimes a very large factor, in determining the direction of the state and whoever is mayor helps to set that direction. In 2011, however, it may be one big delegation in search of a leader.


Veto Session (And Other) Dates Reminder

The Senate will be meeting on November 4 for the purpose of considering additional borrowing. It is not a “special session” but rather a session that was “recessed” when the legislature left Springfield in May. Therefore, the subject matter is not limited but it is not expected that anything out of the ordinary will take place.

The legislature is scheduled to meet the week before (November 16, 17, 18) and the week after (November 29, 30 and December 1) Thanksgiving to conduct its annual veto session. The governor vetoed or amendatory vetoed very little so there is some possibility that the number of session days may be cut. Of course, it also leaves time to act on other issues that may be outstanding.

Also expect at least a short legislative session in January. A governor will be sworn in on Monday, January 10. The legislature will probably meet that day and the next, wrapping up the current session before the new General Assembly is sworn into office on January 12. The January session days could be significant because as of January 1, the number of votes necessary to pass a bill and have it effective immediately drops from a three-fifths (36 Senate/71 House) to a simple majority (30/60).

ILLINOIS REGISTER ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PROPOSED RULES

1) Heading of the Part: Licensing of Radioactive Material
2) Code Citation: 32 Ill. Adm. Code 330.40
3) Register Citation to Notice of Proposed Rules:
33 Ill. Reg. 12061; August 28, 2009.
4) Date, Time and Location of Public Meeting:
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 to 4:00 PM
Illinois Valley Community College
815 North Orlando Smith Avenue
Room C316
Oglesby, Illinois

5) Other Pertinent Information:
At its meeting on August 10, 2010, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR)
voted to object to the above-proposed rulemaking and prohibit its filing with the
Secretary of State. The Committee found that the adoption of this rulemaking at that time would constitute a serious threat to the public interest. The reason for the Objection and Prohibition is as follows:
JCAR objects to and prohibits filing of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency's rulemaking titled Licensing of Radioactive Material (32 Ill. Adm. Code 330; 33 Ill. Reg.12061) because the rulemaking causes a significant adverse economic impact on he affected public at this time. JCAR further requests that IEMA conduct an additional meeting to enable the affected public to present data in an attempt to show that the public health and safety can be protected with less adverse economic impact.

Therefore, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is holding a public meeting to allow interested persons to present written and oral testimony to show that the public health and safety can be protected with less adverse economic impact. Testimony should be focused on the basis and extent of the economic impacts of complying with the proposed rule and alternative proposals for protecting public health and safety and future liability for property owners. Interested persons should be prepared to present specific and detailed economic data related to this rulemaking. This should include economic data regarding current itemized costs for capturing radium at water treatment plant and managing it as radioactive waste, for using additional lands for land application, for disposal in a landfill and any other pertinent information related to the costs of management of water treatment residuals and/or sewage treatment sludge containing radium. In addition, interested persons should provide estimated itemized costs to comply with the proposed rulemaking. In regard to public health and safety, interested persons should be able to provide results of representative sampling for fields where land application of radium bearing water treatment residuals and sewage sludge has historically taken place and be prepared to present data to show that past land application has not resulted in a public health and safety concern.

Comment time will be adjusted to accommodate as many interested persons as possible.
Due to time constraints, interested persons should be prepared to submit written
testimony in place of oral testimony. The Agency will consider fully all written and oral comments/testimony presented during the meeting. For those interested persons that can not attend the public meeting, written comment will be accepted until 5:00PM on October 27, 2010 by emailing Louise.Michels@illinois.gov or mail to Louise Michels, IEMA, 1035 Outer Park Drive, Springfield, IL 62704. For further information, please call (217)785-9876.

For additional information concerning this proposed rulemaking, please go to IEMA’s
website at http://www.state.il.us/iema/legal/legal.htm.

Dennis Duffield is available to respond to questions and assist in preparation for the public hearing. Assistance to smaller communities is a part of my responsibilities to the group of stakeholders organized by Joliet, Channahon, Geneva and the DeKalb Sanitary District.

Dennis L. Duffield, P.E, Project Manager
Rogina and Associates, Ltd.
815-693-9871

EPA Issues Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Policy

EPA Issues Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Policy The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Policy with the goal of increasing the sustainability of water and wastewater infrastructure in the United States. Communities across the country are facing challenges in making costly upgrades and repairs to their aging water infrastructure, which include sewer systems and treatment facilities. Making this infrastructure last longer while increasing its cost-effectiveness is essential to protecting human health and the environment, and maintaining safe drinking water and clean water bodies. The new policy is part of EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s priority to protect America’s waters.

The policy emphasizes the need to build on existing efforts to promote sustainable water infrastructure. The policy also focuses on working with states and water systems to employ comprehensive planning processes that result in projects that are cost effective over their life cycle, resource efficient, and consistent with community sustainability goals. The policy encourages effective utility management practices to build and maintain the level of technical, financial, and managerial capacity necessary to ensure long-term sustainability.

The policy represents a collaborative effort between EPA and its federal, state, and local partners. Working with these partners, EPA will develop guidance, provide technical assistance, and target federal, state and other relevant federal financial assistance in support of increasing the sustainability of America’s water infrastructure.

Link to full document

Heading Toward the Finish Line - Legislative Update - ISAWWA

Heading Toward The Finish Line

With the November 2 general election fast approaching, grim would be the most appropriate descriptive for the immediate future of social services providers and other state vendors. For them it’s been a long few years and an even longer summer as the state wrestles with record budget deficits, a staggering amount of fresh debt and no resources to pay for any of it. In addition, the already precarious leadership capabilities of the state’s chief executive became more so with the sudden resignation of Jerry Stermer, Governor Quinn’s Chief of Staff recently. Even though his replacement, Michelle Stadler, is considered highly qualified, the perception that the current administration committed still yet another gaffe may be hard to overcome.

In politics, perception means everything. We’ve all seen elected officials who in reality couldn’t think their way out of a paper bag, but who have been re-elected year after year because the public perceived them as likeable. We’ve also seen, as in the case of former President Gerald Ford, that the perception of being a “stumblebum” can hurt one’s image very badly. In the close election of 1976 that Ford lost his image as error-prone was a contributing factor. Perception in Illinois today tells us that the once hard-charging reformer who assumed the governor’s office two years ago has “left the building” and has been replaced by an individual that pundits have taken to call “Governor Jello”. Not good. He’s found out the hard way that it’s easy to throw stones from the outside when there is no accountability attached. Responsibility is a game-changer. The GOP also found that out in Washington, D.C. when they took over the Congress in 1995 and found that talking about governing is easy, actually doing it isn’t.

During the next five weeks expect the budget to the deficit to take center stage in the contest for governor. Inquiring minds want to know what each candidate has in mind to get the state back on track. Brady will be suggesting that Quinn is an inefficient steward who lives to raise taxes, and Quinn will be questioning Brady’s abilities and suggest that his word not to raise taxes is meaningless. Neither has been extremely forthright about budget specifics, but Quinn, fortunately or unfortunately, happens to occupy the office so he will be both the voice of experience and the target of criticism. Brady can portray himself as the “outsider” who can pretty much promise anything without pre-election repercussion.

1994 reprise?

Looking back at 1994, there are many who are of the opinion that 2010 will be a mirror image of that year when a GOP tsunami resulted in control of both Congress and the Illinois legislature. Republicans already had control of the Illinois Senate in 1994 but needed a turnover of nine seats to overcome the Democrats 67-51 majority. When the dust settled the turnover was thirteen seats, a pretty incredible number. That majority lasted for two years, until 1996, when the Democrats wrestled control once again.

Even with all of the polls, direct mail, media advertising and shouting, there is no way to accurately predict what voters might do in four-plus weeks. Certainly there are certain similarities to 1994 this year that are evident, but there are also differences.

The similarities are a Democratic president two years into his administration with drooping popularity (although this is an Illinois president whose popularity in his home state is still fairly high), a divisive national health care debate steeped in misinformation, and an attempt by the congressional minority party to promise “change” (their type).

Differences, specifically to Illinois at least, are a recognition by Illinois Democrats that there could be a huge wave on the horizon (that didn’t happen in 1994 until it was too late), legislative races that are being contested are in districts the Democrats drew in 2002 (Republicans drew the 1992 maps that were in play in 1994), no straight party voting (it was abolished by the GOP legislature in 1996 after it was attributed to Democratic successes in the 1996 elections) which means that voters will have to choose candidates individually and could be a big advantage to incumbents, and a difference in the top races (in 1994, the GOP had Governor Edgar running for re-election and Democrat Dawn Clark Netsch ran an awful race, fell behind Governor Edgar almost 2-1 in June, never recovered, was trounced in November and took the entire Democratic Party down with her). This year the race for governor will be closer and the Democrats have two statewide officeholders that should get voters to cross over – Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Secretary of State Jesse White.

There are also intangibles that are present that may impact the outcome on November 2, depending on how serious prospective voters take them as they cast their ballots. How much impact will the tea party movement have? Are they a niche group composed of right wingers and libertarians, or is their reach broader? Will the horrific state of the state drive people to the polls or drive them away? Will the perceived lack of confidence in state leaders and the legislature spell doom for the incumbent party, or will voters say, “get rid of everyone else, but mine’s ok”?
Will alternative candidates and parties like the Green Party and Scott Lee Cohen have any measurable impact individually or collectively? Will efforts by the Chicago Tribune and GOP candidates to paint Speaker Michael Madigan as the villain in the state of the state mess gain traction, or will it prove to be a yawner?

We’ll know the answers to these and perhaps get a glimpse into the future in just over 30 days.

Regardless as to whomever you support or root for, or whichever philosophy you espouse, there is one thing that everyone should be praying for between now and November 2 … that the results of November 2 don’t result in a 59-59 tie in the House. It won’t be pretty, trust us.


Veto Session (And Other) Dates Reminder

The legislature is scheduled to meet the week before (November 16, 17, 18) and the week after (November 29, 30 and December 1) Thanksgiving to conduct its annual veto session. The governor vetoed or amendatory vetoed very little so there is some possibility that the number of session days may be cut. Of course, it also leaves time to act on other issues that may be outstanding.

Also expect at least a short legislative session in January. A governor will be sworn in on Monday, January 10. The legislature will probably meet that day and the next, wrapping up the current session before the new General Assembly is sworn into office on January 12. The January session days could be significant because as of January 1 the number of votes necessary to pass a bill and have it effective immediately drops from a three-fifths (36 Senate/71 House) to a simple majority (30/60).

Notice of Stakeholders Meeting - Proposed Regulation of Radium in Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment Sludge

At its August 10, 2010 meeting the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) objected to and prohibited the filing of the IEMA proposed rulemaking titled "Licensing of Radioactive Material" (32 Ill Adm. Code 330:33 Ill Reg. 12061) because the rulemaking would cause a significant adverse economic impact on the affected public. JCAR requested the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to conduct an additional meeting to enable the affected public to present data in an attempt to show that the public health and safety can be protected with less economic impact.

The action of JCAR is the result of the significant efforts of many agencies. While this action is significant, efforts to obtain "workable" regulation of radium in treatment plant residuals must continue. While IEMA intends to meet with Stakeholders as requested by JCAR, IEMA has advised the City of Joliet that no meeting date has been established.

The City of Joliet, the Village of Channahon, the City of Geneva and the Dekalb Sanitary District invite all Stakeholders to a discussion of the impacts on each community.

A MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR 10:00am ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2010 AT THE TERRACE ROOM, HOPKINS PARK, 1403 SYCAMORE ROAD (IL 23), DEKALB, IL CONCERNING RADIUM IN TREATMENT PLANT RESIDUALS.

The purpose of this Stakeholders meeting is to develop a consensus concerning the following items:

1 - Is it necessary for radium to be regulated or licensed directly by IEMA or should IEMA and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) jointly regulate radium with reporting included in land application reporting?

2 - What is the maximum increase in radiation above background radiation in the soil that should be allowed based on public health and economic considerations. IEMA proposes a 0.4 pico-curies per gram. Joliet has proposed 1.0 pico-curies per gram.

3 - Is it necessary to regulate the concentration of radium in sludge or is the regulation of the increase in background in the soil adequate?

4 - What are the costs and/or other concerns that should be taken into consideration by IEMA in promulgating a final rule?

Please notify Dennis L.Duffield at dduffield@rogina.com or telephone 815-693-9871 if you plan to attend. Questions may also be directed to 815-693-9871.

Turning The Summer Corner

The summer doldrums season started as expected, but it sure isn’t ending that way. The incredible turn(s) of events during and after the Blagojevich trial, the sudden resignation of Jerry Stermer, Governor Quinn’s Chief of Staff, and the beginning of fairly heavy campaign advertising by gubernatorial candidates have made for an interesting August, to say the least.

First and foremost, the governor has completed action on all of the bills that were sent to him by the legislature. However important those initiatives are, the one burr under the saddle that the governor continues to wrestle with is the budget. Announcements of cuts have been made continually but the statements are not long on detail. The one thing that hasn’t changed is that everything appears to be in the same flux now as it was on July 1 when the state fiscal year began.

When Governor Quinn announced the resignation of Stermer and the appointment of Michelle Stadler it marked another in a rather long line of missteps and embarrassing circumstances that he has had to endure over the last few months. Just at the time when his election campaign should running on “all eight cylinders” it sounds like it needs a major tune-up very badly. GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady has been taking full advantage by stopping just short of comparing Quinn’s fumbles to the “icon of stumbles” former President Gerald Ford. Public opinion polls have not been kind to Quinn and he has just about 63 days to turn the public around before they go to their precincts to vote.

Brady has had a good summer … with one exception. When pressed by the press to provide some detail as to how he would keep his promise to balance the state budget without raising taxes he has demurred, indicating that he would not do so before the election. With the state budget crisis taking a toll on everyone, and with the high level of uncertainty, there deserves to be a debate on the actual fiscal plans of all candidates so the public can make informed choices. So far, the “informed” part of the campaigns has been extremely lacking.

Labor Day is the traditional start to the fall election campaigns, although in modern times that “start” has been pushed ahead to Memorial Day. But, once school starts and summer vacations are over the intensity of campaign season begins its upswing, so be prepared, this is going to be one of the most interesting and important elections in a long time.

Target Season

With campaign season about to “spin out of the turn” and head for home here is a review of our thoughts on the General Assembly incumbents or races that will be targeted by both parties. There isn’t any official listing, but these do represent our best judgment as to who might be in the political crosshairs in November.

There are twenty Senate races this year. Seven should be targeted. Democrats in the Senate have 37 seats. The GOP will have to win eight to get control. If the year turns extremely ugly for Democrats it could happen, but a mild voter uprising probably won’t do it … it will take a tsunami.

• 10th District – the open seat is being vacated by retired Sen. James DeLeo (D-Chicago).
• 22nd District - Sen. Michael Noland – surprise winner in 2006, opponent is former Sen. Steve Rauchenberger.
• 31st District – Sen. Michael Bond – surprise winner in 2006 in a very Republican district
• 40th District – Sen. Toi Hutchinson – an appointee in 2009 so GOP may test her ability to connect with voters.
• 43rd District – Sen. A.J.Wilhelmi – shouldn’t be on target list but they tried to knock his opponent, a “tea party” darling, off the ballot and it got national publicity. The effort failed but his opponent is gaining some name recognition.
• 49thDistrict – Sen. Deanna DeMuzio – the district can be fickle and can yield some less than favorable results. She’s going to have to work hard to maintain this seat.
• 52nd District – Sen. Michael Frerichs – a freshman who has taken some courageous stands on some issues of controversy. The GOP will test him.

In the House, everyone is up for re-election. Democrats hold 70 seats so the GOP will have to win eleven to take the reins. There are twelve Democratic seats and four Republican seats that may be in play.

GOP Seats (4)

• 17th District – Rep.Beth Coulson vacates this seat. Dems have come close before and have an aggressive candidate who did well last time.
• 69th Distirct – Rep. Ron Wait is retiring. This is a GOP seat but Dems might take a chance.
• 102th District – Rep. Ron Stephens has had some problems and Dems will try to see if they can parley his troubles into a win.
• 104th District – Rep. Bill Black is retiring. Black held on to this seat in a Democratic area for decades. With him leaving Dems should make a push.

Democratic Seats (12)

• 36th District– Rep. James Brosnahan retired but the person nominated to replace him has had a few problems. Expect the GOP to try to make November interesting here.
• 37th District- Rep. Kevin McCarthy represents a conservative south suburban area and hasn’t had a tough race in ten years so the GOP will try to keep him busy.
• 43rd District – Rep. Keith Farnham – surprise winner in 2008 being challenged by former Rep. Ruth Munson, whom he defeated. The district is considered to be a Republican one.
• 44rd District – The GOP feels that it might be able to crimp Rep. Fred Crespo’s re-election plans in this northwest suburban area.
• 56th District – Rep. Paul Froehlich is retiring and the GOP is salivating to get this seat back.
• 59th District – Rep. Carol Sente is a new appointee so the GOP will test her. The southern Lake County district leans Republican but had elected Rep.Kathy Ryg for a number of years.
• 66th District – Rep. Mark Walker was a surprise winner in 2008. He is being challenged by former Rep. David Harris who left the legislature in 1992.
• 71th District – Rep. Michael Boland is retiring. The GOP has been very competitive in his Quad City area and will put on a major effort to win this seat.
• 85th District – Rep.Emily McAsey was a surprise winner in 2008 in a GOP leaning area. They would like to have the seat back.
• 98th District – an open seat where the GOP has always been very competitive. Rep. Gary Hannig, who resigned to become Secretary of Transportation, kept the seat for 30 years. His wife was appointed to succeed him but she’s not seeking election.
• 101st District – Rep, Bob Flider will get some competition in this Decatur area district where the GOP can be very competitive.
• 112th District – Rep. Jay Hoffman was Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s floor leader. The GOP will do their best to remind his constituents of that.

Legislative Retirements

Senate District 10 – Sen. James DeLeo has officially retired. He has been replaced by Sen, John Mulroe who is also the Democratic nominee to replace him. This district has always been tenuously Democratic so it will be a prime GOP target in November.

House District 35 – Rep. Kevin Joyce (D- Chicago) has resigned from the House and from the November election ballot. Bill Cunningham has been appointed to run for election in Joyce’s spot, but no replacement has as yet been named to fill the office vacancy. Cunningham has stated that he does not desire to be appointed but wants to assume office upon being elected. Since the next legislative session is not scheduled until late November … after the election … it’s possible that he can be appointed to fill the vacancy after he officially “wins” on November 2. This is a safe Democratic district so the chances of Cunningham losing are remote, at best.


Legislation of Interest

The governor has completed action on all bills sent to him by the legislature.

SB 580 – DuPage Water Commission. Terminates the appointments of current board members. New members will be appointed by the DuPage County Board. The legislation also specifies the powers and duties of various Commission personnel. Specifies that beginning June 1, 2016 any taxes currently imposed will no longer be continued unless approved by referendum. (Current Status – Approved – PA 96-1389)

SB 3070 - Provides that if a carcinogenic volatile organic compound is detected in the finished water of a community water system at a certain level, then the owner or operator of that system must submit a response plan that meets certain requirements to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Requires the Agency to approve, and the owner or operator to implement, the plan. Upon completion of the plan, requires the owner or operator to submit a response completion report to the Agency. Provides that any action taken by the Agency to disapprove or modify a plan or report may be appealed to the Illinois Pollution Control Board. (Current Status – Approved – PA 96-1366)

Comment Period Extended for the Proposed Revised Total Coliform Rule

Comment Period Extended for the Proposed Revised Total Coliform Rule The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending by 30 days the public comment period for a proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation, the Revisions to the Total Coliform Rule (RTCR), which was published in the Federal Register on July 14, 2010. The comment period for the proposed RTCR now ends October 13, 2010.

The proposed RTCR applies to all public water systems and offers a meaningful opportunity for greater public health protection beyond the current Total Coliform Rule by requiring systems that have an indication of coliform contamination in the distribution system to assess the problem and take corrective action. This extended comment period will afford greater opportunity to all interested parties to review and submit comments on the proposal. Anyone seeking to submit comments must follow the procedures specified in the SUMMARY section of the proposal as published in the Federal Register notice (75 FR 40926).

Updates from USEPA - 8-17-10

1) EPA Conducts Outreach on Drinking Water Strategy The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will gather feedback on the new drinking water strategy in-person and online. It will present an overview of the Agency’s new Drinking Water Strategy at listening sessions on August 19, 2010 to obtain feedback from the public and stakeholders on possible approaches to implementing the strategy.

The California and Nevada section of American Water Works Association, in coordination with EPA Region 9, will sponsor the listening session from 10 am to noon PST in Cucamonga, CA.

These meetings will conclude a series of four listening sessions on the specific proposal of addressing contaminants as group(s). EPA will consider feedback, ideas, and perspectives from the public and stakeholders presented at the listening sessions as we develop the agenda for the upcoming Drinking Water Strategy stakeholder meeting and the framework for addressing contaminants as group(s).

This week, EPA also launches an online discussion forum about the strategy. Each segment of the strategy will be posted for comment and discussion. The forum will be open for about a month. You can participate by going to http://blog.epa.gov/dwstrat.

Information on the exact locations of the listening sessions can be found at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/sdwa/dwlistening.html.

For more information on the Drinking Water Strategy, visit www.epa.gov/safewater/sdwa/dwstrategy.html.

2) EPA Seeks Public Comment on Draft of Proposed Revised Total Coliform Rule Assessments and Corrective Actions Guidance Manual EPA has released a draft of the Proposed Revised Total Coliform Rule Assessments and Corrective Actions Guidance Manual for public review and comment. The draft guidance manual provides public water systems and primacy agencies with guidance on complying with and implementing the assessment and corrective action requirements of the proposed Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR).

Under the proposed RTCR, public water systems that are vulnerable to microbial contamination in the distribution system (as indicated by their monitoring results for total coliforms and E. coli) are required to assess the problem and take corrective action. The proposed corrective action requirement may reduce cases of illnesses and deaths due to potential fecal contamination and waterborne pathogen exposure.

The draft guidance manual provides information on the common causes of total coliform and E. coli occurrence in the distribution system, how to conduct assessments to identify possible causes of contamination (“sanitary defects”), and corresponding corrective actions that systems can take to correct the problem.

The draft guidance manual is currently available online at http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/tcr/regulation.cfm. Please submit your comments and suggestions to prtcr_acaguide@epa.gov by November 30, 2010.

Regarding: Urgent Call to Action in the US Senate!

At the recent summer workshop in Denver, Tom Curtis described and section leaders discussed a new way to advocate on behalf of our utility membership: “Fly Ins” held in the state offices of your Senators and the district offices of your Representatives. The idea is that the AWWA Washington Office (working with the Water Utility Council)would identify critical and timely issues in Congress, develop materials for use by the sections, and issue a “call to action” at the grass roots level. Sections would then organize meetings in their Senators’ and Representatives’ local offices, and delegations representing our membership would meet with their Senators or Representatives (or their staff). By using the same AWWA materials to advocate on behalf of our utility members, we would ensure a common message in all states. We believe this represents an effective way to make AWWA even stronger as the voice of the water community in national affairs. This activity is not a substitute for the Washington DC Fly In – which we will still hold each spring – but in fact reinforces and multiplies the effectiveness of the Washington DC Water Matters! Fly In.

We are now entering the Congressional August recess, when many members of Congress will be at home in their state and district offices. And there are two timely and important issues on which we need your help. These are: SRF reform legislation. The House has passed legislation that streamlines the State Revolving Fund program for both water and wastewater and significantly expands authorized funding levels for these programs. Now the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works has passed a companion bill. We would like the full Senate to pass the SRF bill and for Congress to send a bill to the President this year.

Chemical security legislation. The House has passed a bill which does several good things but also takes ultimate decision authority for the choice of disinfectant away from many water and wastewater systems. In contrast, the Senate Homeland Security Committee has reported a bill that extends the current program – from which the water sector is exempt – for another three years. We would like to see the Senate pass the Homeland Security Committee bill without amendment and insist the House accede to that bill in conference.

Please consider scheduling a meeting with your Senators during the August recess at one or more of their state offices. In addition or instead, please consider asking the utilities in your state to write their Senators in support of the AWWA position. Because it is likely that more than one person in your section has received this memo, it is very important that you coordinate section activities through one point of contact, such as the section chair. We will not be well served by different individuals seeking meetings with Senators on behalf of the same membership.

We have prepared several kinds of material to help in this effort:
• To identify the locations of your Senators’ state offices, please go to
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
• To download a letter template, please go to
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/August_letter_template.doc
• To download background papers that you can place on your own Section or utility
letterhead, please go to
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/August_Alert_SRF.doc and
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/August_Alert-chemical.doc
• To download this whole package, including “Tell-Ask” talking points, please go
to http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/August_Alert_package.pdf

For questions or comments, please get in touch with one of us via phone or e-mail. Our website has our contact information if you don’t already have that. Many thanks for considering this kind of grassroots advocacy! Remember, if we don’t advocate on behalf of utilities and their customers, who will?


August XX, 2010

The Honorable XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator XXXXXXXXXXXXXX,

Two urgent issues are facing the Senate that affect the provision of safe drinking water in the United States: chemical security and financing investment in water infrastructure.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs recently reported out an improved version of chemical security that it received from the House, H.R. 2868. The Senate version, which is an amendment in the nature of a substitute, extends the current chemical security program for the chemical industry for another three years and maintains the existing exclusion of water utilities. Drinking water and wastewater utilities are very different from chemical industries, with unique public health and public safety missions that could be compromised if they are treated like industry.

That is why we are asking you to vote for H.R. 2868 as reported by the Senate Homeland Security Committee without amendment on the Senate floor. The other issue, investment in water infrastructure, centers around S. 1005, a bill that would not only boost funding for the drinking water and wastewater state revolving loanfund (SRF) programs, but make needed administrative improvements in those programs.

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works reported out that bill last summer. Please ask Senate leadership to bring S. 1005 to the floor of the Senate, and please vote for it.

We have attached two background documents that further explain these issues. We look forward to discussing these issues with you further as they develop in the Senate.

Sincerely,

CHEMICAL FACILITY SECURITY
• Action Requested: Vote for the chemical security legislation, H.R. 2868, that was reported out of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs as is, without amendment.

Background
Legislation authorizing chemical facility security anti-terrorism standards (CFATS) expires in September of this year and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs has reported out a bill, H.R. 2868, to extend the program another three years. While drinking water and wastewater utilities are currently exempt from CFATS, there is interest in Congress in ending those exemptions. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is considering legislation that would expand federal chemical security programs to the water sector. The House did this in its earlier version of H.R. 2868.

However, since September 11, 2001, the water sector has already taken significant steps to address homeland security concerns. Water systems serving more than 3,300 people have developed vulnerability assessments and emergency response plans. Most have restricted access and enacted other measures to secure critical assets, including chemical supplies.

AWWA has invested significant resources in developing tools and standards that water systems use to ensure they are meeting the highest level of performance on security issues. In light of the steps the water sector has already taken to address security, it could make sense to require periodic updates of vulnerability assessments and security plans. It does not make sense (and could cause harm) to prohibit the use of particular chemicals, including chlorine gas, which is the aim of some well meaning, but misguided groups.

Drinking water utilities have been handling gaseous chlorine for more than 100 years and are well aware of what is required to safeguard this tool, from secure storage sites to scrubbers that neutralize leaks to warning systems. Utilities have addressed perimeter security at treatment facilities and reservoirs for years. Utilities that use certain chemicals are already subject to the risk management planning provisions under section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act; to emergency
planning and community notification provisions under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act; and to additional state and local standards for safe storage and handling of hazardous chemicals. When Congress passed the Public Health Protection and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (Bioterrorism Act), which required vulnerability assessments and updates to existing emergency response plans, the water sector took those requirements several steps further and developed extensive training programs and tools for utilities.

Here are some other steps the water sector has taken to improve security:
A Guide to Choosing the Appropriate Disinfectant Disinfectants are the primary chemicals of concern in water security discussions, with chlorine gas the particular target. AWWA understands that the choice of disinfectant is based on a variety of critically important local factors, such as local water chemistry, local pathogens,environmental factors, and local infrastructure. In that light, AWWA in 2009 prepared a guide to assist drinking water and wastewater systems in re-evaluating their choice of disinfectant titled, Selecting Disinfectants in a Security Conscious Environment. The guide describes a step-bystep process to evaluate disinfection options that meets the unique needs of each water, wastewater, and water reuse system.

Selecting Disinfectants builds on existing water sector engineering practices, manuals of practice, costing tools, and public communication techniques to address disinfection objectives, both statutory and those set by the community served; reflect local circumstances; compare disinfection options consistently; take into account operational, process, and supply-chain reliability factors; as well as environmental, operator, and community safety considerations;
provide transparency in the decision-making process; and incorporate appropriate risk communication within the decision-making process and the community.

Development of Security Standards
AWWA formed a partnership with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ (ASME’s)
Innovative Technologies Institute last year to develop a standard for analyzing and managing the risks associated with malevolent attacks and naturally occurring hazards against critical water infrastructure. The final document received certification from ANSI this summer. It is titled, “ANSI/ASME-ITI/AWWA J100-10 Risk Analysis and Management for Critical Asset Protection (RAMCAP®) Standard for Risk and Resilience Management of Water and Wastewater Systems.”

This guidance is based on a methodology used for other critical infrastructure, called Risk Analysis and Management for Critical Asset Protection (RAMCAP®). When applied to the water sector, RAMCAP provides a consistent, efficient and technically sound methodology to identify, analyze, quantify and communicate the level of risk and resilience (i.e., the ability to withstand disruption or to quickly return to an acceptable level of service after an interruption) and the benefits of risk reduction and resilience enhancement. It provides a process for identifying security vulnerabilities, consequences and incident likelihood and provides methods to evaluate the options for reducing these elements of risk. The RAMCAP standard does include recognition of the effort undertaken to meet the requirements of the 2002 Bioterrorism Act.

Water Sector Security Organizations
The Water Sector Coordinating Council was formed in the fall of 2004 to enhance communications about security issues among water professionals, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC) provides immediate, on-line sharing of threat and incident information among those institutions. The men and women who operate drinking water systems consider securing the water they treat and provide to their consumers to be an inherent and daily part of their jobs and calling.

Water and Wastewater Agency Response Networks (WARNs)
Most states now have a WARN, a network of utilities helping other utilities to respond to and recover from emergencies. WARNs provide a method whereby water/wastewater utilities that have sustained or anticipate damages from natural or human-caused incidents can provide and receive emergency aid and assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials, and other associated services as necessary from other water/wastewater utilities. They provide rapid, short-term deployment of emergency services to restore the critical operations of the affected water/wastewater utility.

###
Talking points for your use in meetings; do not leave behind
Chemical Facility Security
Tell
• Who you are and what you do.
• My utility serves …. [XX,XXX people in your district/state]
• We/I appreciate the opportunity to meet.
• Drinking water utilities have already performed vulnerability assessments, updated emergency response plans, developed security standards, developed decision methodologies for choosing disinfectants, and performed other security measures under existing laws.
• A drinking water utility is a public safety & public health service, and is generally an instrument or agency of local government.
• Congress therefore exempted water utilities from chemical facility law of 2006.
• The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs has reported out a bill, H.R. 2868, to extend the current chemical security program for the chemical industry for another three years. The committee approved an amendment in the nature of a substitute to the original House bill.
• Another Senate committee, Environment and Public Works, is considering legislation that would include water utilities in chemical facility security regulation even though certain provisions would be inappropriate for water utilities.
• A particular concern is a provision that allows state officials to second guess decisions by local officials on which chemicals to use.
• Choice of disinfectants and other chemicals reflect characteristics of local waters & infrastructure to ensure public safety and health is protected.
• The choice of disinfectants has to be made locally.

Ask
• Your senator to vote for H.R. 2868 as reported out of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security without amendment.

Thank
• Thank your host for the meeting.
• Offer to follow up or provide any additional information that might be useful.

Leave
• The leave-behind paper (if this is a personal visit) packet, and a business card or other contact information.

Support Improvement of the State Revolving Loan Fund;
Bring to the Floor and Pass S. 1005

• Action Requested: Support reform and expanded capitalization of state revolving loan fund programs for drinking water and wastewater. To that end, the Senate should bring to the floor and vote for S.1005, the Water Infrastructure Financing Act.

Background: High-quality drinking water and wastewater systems are essential to public health, business, and quality of life in the United States. AWWA and others have documented that our water and wastewater infrastructure is aging and that many communities must begin to increase their levels of investment in the repair and rehabilitation of water infrastructure in order to protect public health and safety and to maintain environmental standards.

AWWA has long believed that Americans are best served by water systems that are self sustaining through rates and other local charges. However, we recognize that at present, some communities need assistance due to hardship or special economic circumstances. According to the US Conference of Mayors, in 2004-2005 Americans invested $84 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure, of which more than 95 percent represented state and local funds without subsidies or federal assistance.

The primary federal role in water infrastructure is one of leadership. Among other things, that role includes demonstrating and encouraging:

• Utility use of modern asset management tools and full-cost pricing;
• Use of rate structures that accommodate low and fixed-income customers as much as
practical;
• Adoption of green technologies and approaches such as water and energy conservation, water reuse, and non-traditional stormwater management;
• Use of cost-saving watershed and regional strategies, such as system consolidation,
regional management, and cooperative approaches among water, wastewater, and highway agencies within a region; and
• Use of advanced procurement and project delivery methods. S. 1005 contains elements of all of these roles. There is also an important role for the federal government in lowering the cost of capital for water and wastewater investments. Almost 70 percent of American communities use bonds to finance local infrastructure. They pay billions of dollars in interest costs each year. Lowering the cost of borrowing for water and wastewater infrastructure is an important way to leverage local funding and help America rebuild and rehabilitate our aging water infrastructure.

The House of Representatives has passed legislation to boost funding and make administrative improvements to the drinking water SRF program (H.R. 5320) and the wastewater SRF program (H.R. 1262). Action is needed quickly in the Senate to bring this issue to a conference committee.

America does not face a water infrastructure crisis at the present, but action is needed now to avert more serious problems in the years to come.
###


Talking points for your use in meetings; do not leave behind

State Revolving Loan Fund Legislation, S. 1005
Tell
• Who you are and what you do.
• My utility serves …. [XX,XXX people in your district/state]
• We/I appreciate the opportunity to meet.
• The drinking water community has long been sounding the warning that the nation needs to invest in drinking water infrastructure.
• Needs are large and we need federal leadership.
• The state revolving loan fund (SRF) program – which provides low-cost loans to water systems that revolve to other water systems as they are paid back – is a sound approach, but needs more capital and some administrative improvements.
• S. 1005, reported out of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works last summer makes such improvements to the SRF program.

Ask
• Please urge Senate leadership to bring S. 1005 to the floor of the Senate.
• Vote for S. 1005.

Thank
• Thank your host for the meeting.
• Offer to follow up or provide any additional information that might be useful.

Leave
• The leave-behind paper (if this is a personal visit) and a business card or other contact information.

SB3070 signed

P.A. 96-1366/SB 3070. Signed into law on July 28, 2010; effective July 28, 2010. Amends the Environmental Protection Act (EPAct). Requires public water supplies to submit a corrective action plan to the Illinois EPA upon the Agency’s issuing a right-to-know notice upon verifying that the finished public water has in fact exceeded 50% of the MCL for carcinogenic VOCs. Requires the response plan to include periodic sampling to measure and verify the effectiveness of the response plan, but also requires the Illinois EPA to take into account the technical feasibility and economic reasonableness of the response plan in approving, modifying, or denying the response plan. Illinois EPA agency bill.

Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer

With one major exception, the summer of 2010 thus far has been fairly quiet. The General Assembly is home working on re-election campaigns and the governor has been trying to balance the budget while pondering the fate of over 600 bills that the legislature sent to him and scheduling almost daily bill signing ceremonies. As predicted, there will be no special session to consider borrowing $3.7 billion to make the state pension payment. That and other fiscal matters will have to wait until after November 2. Decisions made on the budget and spending, and issues such as state employee furloughs made initial press ripples but, for the most part, major controversy has not been as prevalent as has been the case the past few years.

The one story that has dominated the news cycle since June has been the Blagojevich trial and the potential impact it might have on the upcoming election cycle. But, with the stunning announcement from the former governor’s attorneys last week that they would not put on a defense, thereby ending the trial perhaps months earlier than planned, it appears that the potential November impact may be minimized … causing Republicans to stomp their feet in disgust and Democrats to wipe their brows in relief. However, only time will tell whether or not there truly will be any ancillary impact at the polls.


Campaign Season To Rev Up

While nominees have been out and about since the February primary election, expect campaign season to begin in earnest on or about August 1, and building to a crescendo that candidates hope will peak on election day.

Looking ahead, opposite sides will be trying to implement successful strategies in order to make the evening of November 2 a happy one.

Governor – Quinn’s strategy will be to emphasize his inheritance of the horrible fiscal condition of the state when he assumed office and his leadership in efforts to right the ship in the face of a horrible economy. He will also attempt to remind voters of his history of independence. He will also attempt to portray Brady as out of touch, too ultraconservative for Illinois, and with a no-tax, all-cut fiscal plan that will be ruinous to the state.

Brady will portray himself as a fiscal conservative that will end years of fiscal mismanagement and balance the state budget without raising taxes by freezing the budget at a former level, making tough decisions on cuts and by pledging no new taxes. He will attempt to characterize Quinn as a weak leader who continually flip-flops on decisions, and who will inhibit economic recovery by seeking a huge income tax increase in the middle of a deep recession. He will also likely try to link Quinn with Blagojevich but that strategy may not reverberate with voters because of Quinn’s history.

Senate – The magic number is 30. Democrats currently hold 37 of 59 seats and the GOP will be trying to end the ten year Democratic reign. A non-scientific review of the 20 senate seats up for election shows five in the swing category and another two as on the cusp. Should the GOP succeed in winning all seven Democrats would still control the chamber by one vote. If 2010 winds up being another 1994 then that may be possible.

House – Democrats have held the House since 1982 with one, two year exception in 1994. During the 1994 elections a swing of 13 seats cost them control, which they promptly won back in 1996. Speaker Michael Madigan vividly remembers 1994 and plans to do everything possible to avoid that from occurring in 2010. The magic number in the House is 60 and the Democrats currently hold 70 seats. Twelve Democratic seats and four GOP seats could be considered in the “target” category so there is more of a numerical possibility of change here than in the Senate, but it will still be a huge uphill climb for the GOP to “run the table”.

Remap – Why is 2010 any different than any other election year? One word … Reapportionment. The ability to draw legislative maps in 2011, the year after the census. And, to keep those districts in place and control the state agenda for ten years. Power.

The Illinois Constitution sets out a specific procedure for the reapportionment process. To completely control the process one party must control the governor’s office and both chambers of the General Assembly. In 1982, 1992 and 2002 there was split control so a tiebreaking procedure was utilized to determine who drew maps. Democrats won in 1982 and 2002. Republicans won in 1992. In each case there was at least a 50/50 chance of winning. When one party controls the process there is zero chance of the other side winning, so that’s what the GOP is looking to try to avoid in 2010.

Why was there even more partisanship in Springfield this year? Remap. Why was there no GOP cooperation to try to overcome the state’s problems, borrow, etc.? Because the GOP desperately needs to win one of the three parts of the remap process and have determined that the best way to do that is to show that the Democrats are ineffective leaders. And Democrats have done their best to play that part. With two weak gubernatorial candidates the GOP feels that they may have a shot there or, perhaps, in House elections.

See any similarities on the national level? Washington, D.C. is where bipartisanship has been non-existent. The national GOP wants as unlevel of a playing field as possible to win back state legislatures and governorships because they draw and approve congressional maps. There have been very few stories about the role that 2011 has played in 2009 and 2010 decision making, or lack thereof. But, reapportionment has been running in the background the entire time and will continue to do so until November 2 … and beyond.

Legislative Retirements

In the past few months there have been a number of House members who have left or who have announced their intentions to resign from the legislature.

District 18 – Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) has been replaced by Rep. Robin Gabel who also seeking election in November.

District 35 – Rep. Kevin Joyce (D- Chicago) has announced that he will be resigning from the House and from the November election ballot. No replacement has as yet been named.

District 36 – Rep. James Brosnahan (D-Evergreen Park) has been replaced by Rep. Michael Carberry. Carberry is not on the November ballot so his term will end in January.

District 60 – Rep. Eddie Washington (D-North Chicago) recently passed away. Rep. Rita Mayfield has been appointed to replace him.

District 78 – Rep. Deborah Graham (D-Chicago) has been replaced by Rep. Camille Y. Lilly.

None of the districts listed above are on target lists so each is expected to remain Democratic in November.


Lobbyist Registration Amendments

The governor has until August 3 to act on the legislature’s recently approved amendments to the Lobbyist Registration Act. There is some concern about his delay in acting.

SB 1526 establishes a fee of $300 for all registered individuals and entities and provides new lobbing expenditure reporting requirements. Filing of expenditure reports every two weeks beginning in January, 2011 would provide greater transparency and immediate access to information than do current requirements.

The reason for the governor’s delay in deciding the fate of the legislation is unknown, but should he decide to use his amendatory veto power and change any of the provisions, then the soonest a final resolution can be reached would be in November when the legislature returns to Springfield. We’ll know by August 3.


Legislation of Interest

The following is a sampling of bills that have been introduced this legislative session and that are being monitored and the current status. Only bills that remain alive are listed.

SB 580 – DuPage Water Commission. Terminates the appointments of current board members. New members will be appointed by the DuPage County Board. The legislation also specifies the powers and duties of various Commission personnel. Specifies that beginning June 1, 2016 any taxes currently imposed will no longer be continued unless approved by referendum. (Current Status – Approved – PA 96-1389)

SB 3070 - Provides that if a carcinogenic volatile organic compound is detected in the finished water of a community water system at a certain level, then the owner or operator of that system must submit a response plan that meets certain requirements to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Requires the Agency to approve, and the owner or operator to implement, the plan. Upon completion of the plan, requires the owner or operator to submit a response completion report to the Agency. Provides that any action taken by the Agency to disapprove or modify a plan or report may be appealed to the Illinois Pollution Control Board. (Current Status – Approved – PA 96-1366)

Update - July 22, 2010

Both chambers are adjourned – the House to the call of the Speaker and the Senate to the call of the President. The Senate did not have enough votes to pass the borrowing bill (SB 3514) prior to adjournment. They may return if more Senators would vote for the plan - no word yet. Another reason for returning to Springfield early would be to address any vetoes by the Governor. At this time it appears they will not return until veto session. (But that could always change.)

All bills have been sent to the Governor. He has sixty days to approve them or veto them. Veto powers of the Governor include: total veto, amendatory veto, item veto, reduction veto or a combination of an item and reduction veto. If he does nothing, in sixty days, the bill automatically becomes law.

Bill numbers to date (7/22/10) are:
Passed Public Pending Total Amend Item/Re-
Both Acts Gov Act Veto Veto duct Veto

HBs 336 160 174 0 1 1

SBs 286 179 104 1 2 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
622 339 278 1 3 1

VETOES: The Governor Vetoed SB 365, the GA did nothing so the total veto stands. The Governor Amendatorily Vetoed SB 28 and the GA overrode it, so it is a public act now(PA 96-0898.) SB 28 is counted in the Amend Veto column only. HB 859 has an item/reduction veto – any parts not vetoed are PA 96-0956. HB 859 is counted in the I/R Veto column only.
Amend Vetoes: HB 4842, SB 2544


Legislative Information System 7/23/2010
96th General Assembly 9:32:16 AM
All Bills (Bill Order)
Both Chambers ISAWWA
________________________________________
HB2 h Robert F. Flider

UTILITIES-ICC MEETINGS-AG TEST 04/03/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB46 Dan Brady

FIRST RESPONDER COMMUNICATION 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB57 David Reis

JT COMM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB58 David Reis

WORKERS COMPENSATION-VARIOUS 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB63 John A. Fritchey

PREVAILING WAGE-PROJECTS 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB159 Sidney H. Mathias
(Pamela J. Althoff)
MUNI CODE-BIDS 08/07/2009 House Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0138

________________________________________
HB163 h Michael W. Tryon
(Pamela J. Althoff)
PREVAILING WAGE-NOTICE 08/14/2009 House Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0437

________________________________________
HB170 b Michael W. Tryon
(Susan Garrett)
PRIV SEWAGE/EPA-SRFCE DSCHRG 11/03/2009 House Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0801

________________________________________
HB207 Daniel V. Beiser

PUBLIC WORKS-ILLINOIS WORKERS 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB235 Kathleen A. Ryg

PLUMBING - RECLAIMED WATER 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB257 David Reis

REGULATION-TECH 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB350 Jil Tracy

EPA-NPDES PERMIT FEE PAYMENT 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB460 Ed Sullivan, Jr.
(Michael Bond)
BONDS-LOCAL GOV-WASTEWATER 08/14/2009 House Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0503

________________________________________
HB494 John A. Fritchey

REC LAND-CONSERVATION-EDU 04/03/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB629 h Frank J. Mautino
(Deanna Demuzio)
EPA-NPDES-CONSTRUCTION-FEES 08/11/2009 House Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0245

________________________________________
HB644 h Patrick J. Verschoore
(William R. Haine)
TWP CD-SEWERAGE CHARGES 12/23/2009 House Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0842

________________________________________
HB658 h Paul D. Froehlich
(Susan Garrett)
EPA--PHARMACEUTICAL TASK FORCE 08/13/2009 House Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0369

________________________________________
HB878 h Daniel V. Beiser

SPORT SHOOTING RANGE ACT 04/03/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB974 h Linda Chapa LaVia

EPA--CROSS-CONTAMINATION PROG. 04/03/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB1135 h Michael W. Tryon

MUNI CD-LIABILITY-OVERFLOW 04/03/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB1295 John D. Cavaletto

DNR--CONGRESS/DIR. SELECTION 04/03/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB1356 Angelo Saviano

PROF ENGINEERING PRACTICE ACT 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB2297 Kay Hatcher

LANDSCAPE WASTE-AGENCY PERMIT 03/10/2009 House Tabled By Sponsor Rep. Kay Hatcher

________________________________________
HB2377 h Michael K. Smith

LOCAL GOV-CONSTRUCTION BIDDERS 04/03/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB2417 Naomi D. Jakobsson

PROP TAX-STORMWATER FACILITIES 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB2434 h Elaine Nekritz

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ACT 04/03/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB2679 Chapin Rose

UTILITIES-TERMINATION-RENTERS 03/26/2009 House Tabled By Sponsor Rep. Chapin Rose

________________________________________
HB3710 Jim Watson

CRANE OPERATOR LICENSE-TECH 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB3720 Renée Kosel

UTILITIES-FIRE HYDRANT REPAIR 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB3735 Angelo Saviano

PLUMBING-CONTRACTR-LOCAL ORD 04/03/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB3737 John E. Bradley

PREVAILING WAGE-UTILITIES 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB3769 Frank J. Mautino

REGULATION-TECH 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB3783 Kathleen A. Ryg

PLUMBING-SUMP PUMPS 03/26/2009 House Tabled By Sponsor Rep. Kathleen A. Ryg

________________________________________
HB3786 Michael W. Tryon

WATER WELL-CLOSED LOOP SYSTEMS 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB3817 Kathleen A. Ryg

FERTILIZER BAN--STATE TURF 04/03/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB3829 Patricia R. Bellock

GREAT LAKES PRESERVATION 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB3835 Julie Hamos

RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY ACT 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB3846 Daniel V. Beiser

CONSTRUCTN CONTRACT-APPRENTICE 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB4021 s Frank J. Mautino
(Susan Garrett)
EPA-SOIL GAS, GROUNDWATER 08/24/2009 House Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0603

________________________________________
HB4159 Jehan A. Gordon

UTILITIES-CUSTOMER SERVICE 03/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB4249 h Sandra M. Pihos

EPA--DISPOSAL OF DRUGS 04/03/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB4708 Michael G. Connelly
(Dan Cronin)
CNTY CD-SPECIAL MEETING-NOTICE 06/27/2010 Senate Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred to Assignments

________________________________________
HB4757 Michael W. Tryon

WATER AUTHORITY-INCORPORATION 03/15/2010 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB4936 Naomi D. Jakobsson

PHOSPHOROUS FERTILIZER BAN 03/26/2010 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB5115 Patricia R. Bellock

IDPH-PRESCRIPT DRUG REPOSITORY 03/15/2010 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB5131 Tom Cross

MUNI CD-SPC ASSESSMENT-UTILITY 01/29/2010 House Referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB5147 h Michael G. Connelly
(Dan Cronin)
EPA/UTILITIES-BIOMASS 06/02/2010 House Sent to the Governor

________________________________________
HB5226 h Deborah Mell
(Heather Steans)
EPA-WATER LOAN PROGRAMS 06/09/2010 House Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0917

________________________________________
HB5296 h Frank J. Mautino

VERMILION RIVER-NAVIGABLE 03/26/2010 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB5347 Linda Chapa LaVia

UTILITIES-REPORTS TO ICC 02/05/2010 House Referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB5348 Linda Chapa LaVia

UTILITIES-AMORTIZE-FACILITIES 02/05/2010 House Referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB5468 Elizabeth Coulson

LAWN SPRINKLERS-EXEMPTION 02/05/2010 House Referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB5482 Renée Kosel

UTILITIES-FIRE HYDRANT REPAIR 02/05/2010 House Referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB5485 Renée Kosel

MUNI CD-WATERWORKS VALUATION 03/26/2010 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB5491 Donald L. Moffitt

UTILITIES-JULIE PENALTIES 03/15/2010 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB5552 Randy Ramey, Jr.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT-TECH 03/26/2010 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB5747 Patrick J. Verschoore

PLUMBING-RURAL WATER COMPANY 02/09/2010 House Referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB5837 Michael W. Tryon

UTILITIES-FIRE PROTECTION 03/15/2010 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB6099 b Brandon W. Phelps
(Michael Noland)
AGRICULTURE-FERTILIZER ACT 07/06/2010 House Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-1005

________________________________________
HB6118 Elaine Nekritz

TOXIC CHEMICAL SAFETY ACT 02/11/2010 House Referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB6120 h Elaine Nekritz

EPA-ADMINISTRATIVE ENFORCEMENT 03/26/2010 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB6131 Dan Reitz

EPA-PERMITS-MODIFICATIONS 02/11/2010 House Referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
HB6349 b Daniel V. Beiser
(John M. Sullivan)
FINANCE-TECH 06/16/2010 House Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0929

________________________________________
SB32 s Susan Garrett
(John E. Bradley)
PLUMBING - RECLAIMED WATER 01/11/2010 House Re-assigned to Rules Committee

________________________________________
SB137 Louis S. Viverito

ELECTRICIANS LICENSING ACT 03/13/2009 Senate Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

________________________________________
SB178 s Susan Garrett
(Sandra M. Pihos)
EPA-HOUSEHOLD WASTE DROP-OFF 08/04/2009 Senate Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0121

________________________________________
SB254 s Terry Link
(Michael W. Tryon)
LICENSE-CLOSED LOOP CONTRACTOR 05/08/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
SB259 James F. Clayborne, Jr.

SPORT SHOOTING RANGE ACT 03/13/2009 Senate Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

________________________________________
SB264 Michael W. Frerichs
(Frank J. Mautino)
MUNI ELECTRIC & GAS AGENCIES 08/10/2009 Senate Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0204

________________________________________
SB580 b Dan Cronin
(Randy Ramey, Jr.)
WATER COMMISSIONS-COUNTIES 06/01/2010 Senate Sent to the Governor

________________________________________
SB802 John J. Cullerton

AGING-TECH 08/15/2009 Senate Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred to Assignments

________________________________________
SB1051 A. J. Wilhelmi

CIVIL LAW-TECH 06/27/2010 Senate Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred to Assignments

________________________________________
SB1221 h Donne E. Trotter
(Michael J. Madigan)
$DCEO 07/30/2009 Senate Item/Reduction Veto Stands 96-0039

________________________________________
SB1269 s Heather Steans
(Dan Reitz)
LEAD SINKER & LEAD JIG BAN 07/23/2009 Senate Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0061

________________________________________
SB1357 b Dale E. Risinger
(Donald L. Moffitt)
UTILITIES-ONE CALL SYSTEM 08/25/2009 Senate Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0714

________________________________________
SB1375 John J. Millner
(Angelo Saviano)
CRANE OPERATOR LICENSE-TECH 05/08/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
SB1489 b Iris Y. Martinez
(Elaine Nekritz)
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ACT 06/30/2009 Senate Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0026

________________________________________
SB1597 Dave Syverson

UTILITIES-TERMINATION-RENTERS 03/13/2009 Senate Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

________________________________________
SB1887 David Koehler

ELECTRIC CONTRACTORS LICENSING 03/13/2009 Senate Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

________________________________________
SB1919 h Susan Garrett
(Karen May)
EPA-HEALTH FACILITIES-DRUGS 08/10/2009 Senate Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0221

________________________________________
SB2121 s Deanna Demuzio
(Frank J. Mautino)
EPA-NPDES STORM WATER FEES 10/29/2009 Senate Total Veto Stands

________________________________________
SB2141 Christine Radogno

UTILITIES-VILLAGE-WATERWORKS 03/05/2009 Senate Re-referred to Assignments

________________________________________
SB2184 s Susan Garrett
(Elaine Nekritz)
WATER USE-HIGH CAPACITY WELLS 08/10/2009 Senate Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0222

________________________________________
SB2549 s Susan Garrett
(Kevin A. McCarthy)
PLUMBING-RAINWATER SYSTEMS 04/30/2010 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
SB3020 Michael W. Frerichs

LOCAL GOVERNMENT-TECH 03/08/2010 Senate Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

________________________________________
SB3070 h Pamela J. Althoff
(Michael W. Tryon)
EPA-CARCINOGENIC COMPOUNDS 06/01/2010 Senate Sent to the Governor

________________________________________
SB3344 s James F. Clayborne, Jr.
(Dan Reitz)
EPA-PERMITS-MODIFICATIONS 05/28/2010 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

________________________________________
SB3468 Dan Cronin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT-TECH 02/10/2010 Senate Referred to Assignments

________________________________________
SB3749 b A. J. Wilhelmi
(Renée Kosel)
CNTY CD-COPIES OF RECORDS-FEES 06/25/2010 Senate Sent to the Governor

________________________________________
SR81 John M. Sullivan

WATERWAY MODERNIZATION 04/29/2009 Senate Resolution Adopted; 056-000-000

________________________________________
HJR10 Karen May

CAP. BILL-ENVTL RESPONSIBILITY 04/22/2009 House Resolution Adopted

________________________________________
SJR87 John M. Sullivan
(Richard P. Myers)
URGE CONGRESS-FUND-FLOOD PLAN 04/29/2010 Senate Adopted Both Houses

________________________________________
Totals: 92 - (House Bills: 63) (Senate Bills: 26) (Other Bills: 3)