Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County Legislative Committee met Sept. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. CALL TO ORDER 

11:30 AM meeting was called to order by Chair Dawn DeSart at 11:30 AM.

2. ROLL CALL 

Additional Board Members present: Member Yoo, Member Evans, Member Gustin, Member Krajewski, and Member Deacon Garcia.

Staff Present: Sheryl Markay (Chief Policy & Program Officer), Jason Blumenthal (Policy & Program Manager), Evan Shields (Public Information Officer), Conor McCarthy (State Attorney's Office)

Guest via Zoom: Lobbyist Marc Poulos and Lobbyist Chip Humes

Guests: Marc Ayers, Illinois Director for The Humane Society of the U.S. and Dennis Brennan (DuPage Health Department Legislative Manager)

PRESENT Chaplin, Childress, DeSart, Eckhoff, Galassi, and Zay

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES    

3.A. 23-3079  

Legislative Minutes - Regular Meeting - Tuesday, August 22, 2023 

RESULT: APPROVED 

MOVER: Dawn DeSart 

SECONDER: Liz Chaplin  

4. PUBLIC COMMENT  

No public comments were offered. 

5. CHAIR'S REMARKS - CHAIR DESART  

Chair Dawn DeSart thanked all who attended the meeting. She requested that Board Members start sending Legislative agenda items for the spring session to she and Sheryl Markay. A few items already on the spring agenda include a declawing and debarking ban as well as a registration fee for electric vehicles.

6. DISCUSSION  

6.A. 23-3115  

Overview of Animal Services Legislation - Marc Ayers, Illinois Director for The Humane Society of the U.S.

Mr. Ayers gave an overview of recent Animal Services legislation. The overview included the accomplishments of defeating HB 2793 - Repeal of Humane Pet Store Law, passage of SB 1882 - Prohibit Dog and Cat Toxicity Testing, passage of HB 3236 Pet Store Finance Clean up, passage of SB 1883 - Public Contact with Bears and Non-Human Primates and passage of HB 1049 Dog Breed Insurance which restricted insurance companies from dropping insured parties that have certain dog breeds. Additionally, Mr. Ayers spoke to bills that were only passed by one chamber. Lastly, Mr. Ayers presented the items that The Humane Society is asking for DuPage County's support for the spring session. See attachments for details. 

RESULT: NO ACTION REQUIRED 

6.B. Veto Session Preview – DuPage County Lobbyists 

Lobbyist Marc Poulos joined via Zoom to discuss the upcoming fall Veto Session. Mr. Poulos stated that the Governor vetoed SB 76 and HB 2878. Mr. Poulos also discussed HJR 23, a joint resolution that establishes the I-55 Managed Lane Project. There was discussion clarifying these bills and their expected outcomes. 

7. OLD BUSINESS  

No old business was discussed. 

8. NEW BUSINESS  

Member Liz Chaplin stated she supports legislation to protect animals and is glad we lobby for bills that benefit them however she would also like the topics of food insecurity, gun violence, housing, and unemployment to be addressed by the Legislative Committee. Chair DeSart agreed and asked Member Chaplin to work with she and Sheryl Markay toward that goal. 

9. ADJOURNMENT 

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:35 PM.

https://dupage.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1111103&GUID=56700A2D-2904-43D8-82AB-CDC710DA8253