My policy agenda (help me shape it!)
Dear friend,
The 2021 legislative session is about to begin in earnest. We recently passed the new House rules allowing for remote committee hearings, so we'll start considering bills in committee in the coming weeks.
I wanted to share with you a few of the key issues I'll be working on this year. First off: protecting the rights of gig workers. Right now people who work for Uber and Lyft and DoorDash and the like are treated as "independent contractors" instead of employees, meaning that the multibillion-dollar gig companies don't need to pay them minimum wage, provide them unemployment, protect their safety, or let them unionize. But of course they're not "independent contractors" — if they were, they could, you know, set their own rates and choose their own jobs, instead of having the app dictate all that to them. So we're going to shut that loophole down, and force Big Tech to treat their workers fairly.
I'm also the chair of the new Housing Committee, which means that will be a big area of focus. Too many families are facing housing instability, and when the eviction moratoriums eventually expire, hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans could be at risk of losing their homes. We're going to work on measures to protect people from needless eviction, support the creation and preservation of affordable housing, and prevent families from becoming homeless during the pandemic and beyond.
And prescription drug affordability will continue to be a central issue for me as well. We passed a landmark copay cap for insulin in 2019, but the state can only regulate a limited number of plans with that law. We want to expand affordability measures for insulin, and make sure that other drugs get similar protections. And also: we'll be working to create a prescription drug repository, where people can safely donate unused, unopened prescriptions to get redistributed to patients in need. Our state flushes tens of millions of dollars of prescription drugs down the drain each year, which is both terrible for our waterways and a huge waste of needed medications.
I'm filing lots of other bills too, on issues from wage theft and criminal justice reform to homemade foods and inclusive athletic uniforms. I'll keep you posted on all of it as the session unfolds.
But I also want to hear from you. What issues do you think I should be focusing on in Springfield? Please click this link and let us know! Your feedback is vital in helping me shape my policy agenda.
Stay safe, take care, and be in touch.
- Will
Tax Filing Resources
The 2021 tax filing season officially begins today! Click here to review key tax filing dates from the IRS, and here for dates from the Illinois Department of Revenue. If you're looking for free tax help visit TaxPrep Chicago to access free tax services to file your returns and claim your refund. Drop-off tax services are also available.
Remember, if you collected even $1 in unemployment insurance in 2020 you'll need to file a 1099-G tax form. Click here for more information and please don't hesitate to call our office with any questions or concerns.