Marion Chamber attends Chamber Day in Springfield

Primary and gubernatorial politics are shaping the policy debate in Springfield and will have lasting implications on the business community.
 
On Wednesday, April 10th, members of the Legislative Affairs Committee of the Marion Chamber of Commerce traveled to Springfield for the first ever Chamber Day - an advocacy event to let lawmakers know we must be heard in any major policy decision impacting Illinois employers. On the evening of April 10, the members dined with Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Maisch, Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives President Lisa Weitzel, Senator Dale Fowler, and Representative Dave Severin.

Chamber Day began at 8:30 on April 11 at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel. The event included:

• Welcome message from Todd Maisch and Bill Fleming, IACCE Board Chair 
  • Bios for all speakers is available here
• Michael Dembek, managing director of True Partners Consulting, who spoke about Federal Tax Reform Implications
  • Download his presentation here
• Jeff Lungren, Chief Health Care & Immigration Lobbyist with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who spoke about Healthcare & Immigration Reform 
  • Download his presentation here
• Senator Kwame Raoul, the Democratic Attorney General Candidate
• Erika Harold, the Republican Attorney General Candidate
• Governor Bruce Rauner
• Ben Brockschmidt, Vice President of Policy & Executive Director of the Infrastructure Council for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce
  • Key Bills available here
  • 100th General Assembly Legislative Ratings Midterm Report available here

After Chamber Day concluded, the group toured the Capitol, met with Treasurer Michael Frerichs and toured the Senate Chambers with Senator Fowler. 
 
Joining the Marion Chamber for the Chamber Day event in Springfield were representatives from the Saline County Chamber of Commerce, Carbondale Chamber of Commerce and Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.