Illinois Technology Partners Policy Position

As relevant issues arise, ITP will advocate for forward-thinking policies at the State and local levels that are consistent with the principles set forth in our Mission.

Undoubtedly, given the diverse breadth of issues policymakers must understand in order to make sound legislative decisions (and the understandable competition for their attention), it takes an organized effort such as ITP to help educate legislators about emerging technologies.

And given the pace of technology and its central role in the way we live and work, it is important for the Illinois Technology Partnership to watch closely the issues that could affect our digital State and advocate for sensible legislative action on behalf of our partners and members.

Contact your legislator today — for tech’s sake.

As you may know, the Illinois General Assembly is heading into their last week of session and debating a state budget for 2009. Lawmakers are considering a new tax on software in our State. This may sound like something that would only affect high-tech companies, but it could actually impact many businesses — large and small — across Illinois which depend on custom software for their day-to-day operations. Systems that support payroll, accounting, design, marketing — even e-mail — could cost more because of the tax.

We all want Illinois to be a State where people want to live and businesses want to locate and thrive. Amidst difficult economic times, Illinois companies don’t need another tax. Illinois has made strides in recent years when it comes to technology growth and new job opportunities, and we’re moving in the right direction.

Let’s keep it that way. Tell your State legislator you don’t want to take a step backwards.

Contact your elected officials today, and urge them to oppose the software tax!

For more information on the proposed software tax, visit Protect Illinois Technology.

Click here to send an email directly to your State legislators.

Take action and be part of the process in just a few minutes flat!

ITP Testifies in IL Senate Committee

The Illinois Technology Partnership recently had the opportunity to provide testimony in the Illinois Senate’s Telecommunications and Technology Committee as they held subject matter hearings on the Telecom Act Rewrite & Technology Policy. Several issues were discussed - including the upcoming sunset of the Illinois Telecommunications Act, how drastically the landscape has changed since the Act was last revamped in 2001, and what the future of technology in our state can look like in a way that is both healthy for business and fair to consumers.

Many thanks to Chairman Michael Bond, the committee members, and Senate staff for their interest and commitment.

To read the full version of our written statement, please click here.

Contact your legislator today about SB1522

Next week, a committee of the Illinois House of Representatives will vote on a bill that is important to technology in Illinois - Senate Bill 1522, the Emerging Technology Industries Act.

This bill (SB 1522) will help foster a diverse and growing technology industry in Illinois. It will stimulate our economy, generate high quality jobs, and encourage innovation and research. This research results in advancements in science and medicine, but tech companies and talent often leave Illinois to do this kind of work because they are lured away by competing incentives in other states.

Whether you work in the tech field or simply depend on technology in your everyday life, this bill is important to all of us as technology consumers.

Take action today!

Specifically, SB1522 will attract and retain start-ups here in Illinois and create technology jobs by:

1. Establishing a program to award grants to emerging tech businesses in Illinois
2. Creating an income tax credit for qualified individuals who make an investment in these businesses.
To read the full text of the bill, click here.

You can be an important voice for the future of technology businesses and organizations, as well as the employees and consumers that depend on them.

And we’ve made it easy:

Click here to send an email directly to your State Rep.

Take action and be part of the process in just a few minutes flat!

ITP Supports Legislation that Supports Technology

The Illinois Technology Partnership is proud to announce its support for the following state legislation. These bills not only support the technology community, but as tech has become the common denominator in all industries, will help spur growth in a number of areas.

The bill summaries are below, but to read more and learn about the bill sponsors and status, click on the hyperlinks provided.

To locate YOUR legislators and voice your support for these and other bills that promote investment in technology, visit www.civicfootprint.org (if you live in Cook County), or the State Board of Elections throughout the entire State.

Finance - Technology Account (TDA)

House Bill 175, Senate Bill 265

Amends the Technology Development Act. Authorizes the State Treasurer to segregate up to 2% of the Treasurer’s investment portfolio in the Technology Development Account IIa. Authorizes investments from the account to provide venture capital to help attract, assist, and retain quality technology businesses in Illinois. Contains provisions concerning soliciting proposals from entities to manage and be the General Partner of Technology Development Account IIb, consisting of investments from the private sector that must invest, at the direction of the Treasurer, in tandem with TDA IIa. Sets restrictions and conditions. Effective immediately.

Emerging Technology Investment

House Bill 351, Senate Bill 1522

Creates the Emerging Technology Industries Act. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish and maintain a program to award grants to emerging-technology enterprises in the State. Sets forth eligibility requirements and funding priorities for awarding the grants, and sets forth procedures for awarding the grants. Requires written contracts in which the emerging-technology enterprise guarantees that it will perform the actions expected to be performed. Sets dollar limits on matching funds for federal Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants and total grant matching funds per year. Limits total credits to $15,000,000 in any one State fiscal year. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Emerging Technology Grant Fund. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for qualified investors who make an investment in an emerging technology enterprise in the State. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity must certify the amount of the credit and sets forth the procedures for the application and certification of the credit. Sets forth provisions for the revocation and recapture of the tax credit. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

ITP Testifies in IL House Computer Technology Committee

The Illinois House of Representatives’ Computer Technology Committee held a subject matter hearing on July 24, 2008 to explore the current state and future needs for improved digital government. Click here to read testimony offered by ITP Executive Director Aviva Gibbs.

ITP Supports Treasurer’s Investment in Venture Capital to Grow Tech (SB 786)

The Illinois Technology Partnership supports Senate Bill 786 which would authorize the State Treasurer to allocate more investment funds to help bolster technology business in Illinois. We believe that this bill speaks directly to the importance of boosting the Illinois’ tech community with necessary capital and encouraging more businesses to “open shop” in our State.

From the Bill Summary:

More details on the legislation can be found here.

We applaud the bill sponsors for their efforts, as well as State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and his office for leadership on this important initiative.

SB786 passed unanimously through the Senate earlier this year. The bill is currently awaiting consideration in the House Rules Committee.

Illinois Technology Partners Events

Past Events

May 6, 2009

B2B Xpo Chicago

Save the Date: B2B Xpo is coming soon!

Learn helpful tips from industry experts so you can take your business to the next level.

Network and share best practices with other small business owners in the city’s growing Industrial Corridor while enjoying complimentary buffet and beverages.

B2B XPO brings business experts to the table, each prepared to meet with you
one-on-one for hands-on sessions focused on what you can do now to improve and grow your business.

Free Admission

For more information call Terry at 773-769-1992 or visit www.b2bxpo.org

View the event flyer HERE.

ITP is a proud partner of B2BXpo.

Time: 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago 2010 W. Fulton - Suite 280 Chicago, IL

ITP IL2.0 Event - Big Success

A Discussion on Digital Media, Advocacy, and the Political Process

Last week, the Illinois Technology Partnership (ITP) hosted “Illinois 2.0″, an interactive digital media discussion with legislators, staff and others interested to learn more about new media and how these tools are affecting advocacy and the political process.

Aviva Gibbs, the Executive Director of ITP, walked through best practices of digital media and offered tips for leveraging social networks to reach a broader audience. Attendees were equipped with The ITP Guide to Social Media and ITP’s E-Glossary of Social Media Lingo. Gibbs also shared information on Who is Going 2.0 and recent news clips to give audience members perspective on the growing influence of new technology not only on the private sector, but on state and federal government as well.

Gibbs was joined by Rich Miller, Editor and Publisher of The Capitol Fax and columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, who discussed the effects of blogging and new technology on the political process. To spur discussion at the event, Miller pointed to his blog’s Question of the Day:

What would you tell a candidate about setting up his or her Website and social media outreach efforts? Not only what they should do, but what they should avoid.

Much like the world of social networking and blogging, “Illinois 2.0″ was a two-way discussion on digital media. Miller referred to his readers’ answers throughout the discussion, and tech savvy audience members talked about their experiences with those less familiar with the medium. Several legislators who use tools like Twitter and Facebook to communicate with their constituents and supporters also shared their insights on the impact of new technology on the political process.

Throughout the event, many guests were live Tweeting using the event’s designated hashtag, #IL2.0, and several were so inspired, they have since joined Facebook and Twitter as a result.

The full-house audience had a range of tech familiarity and represented a diverse cross-section of legislators, House and Senate staff, campaign volunteers, issue advocates, agency officials, non-profit organizations, and other tech enthusiasts.

“Once I started using Facebook and Twitter, it became quickly evident that people were listening, and not only listening, but responding and giving me important feedback,” said Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago). “I started hearing from people who would probably never write or call my office, but are online and very engaged in what’s going on in Springfield.”

The Illinois Technology Partnership looks forward to communicating with our new digital media “Friends” and “Followers,” and we encourage those of you who were at “Illinois 2.0″ as well as those of you who couldn’t make it to look us up on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, @ILTechPartner.

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