Upcoming Illinois Legislative Conference

Last week I attended the annual SHRM Employment Law & Legislative Conference in DC and visited our states two Senators office and my local congressman's office to discuss health care reform and workplace flexibility in support of SHRMs position. Before the conference started, I also had the opportunity to hear best practices among 48 of our 50 State Legislative Directors who were in the room.  It is absolutely amazing to me what some of the other states are doing from a legislative standpoint (state lobbyist, govt. affairs, state & federal directors, etc.). By comparison, they don't have half as many enacted employment related regulations on the books that Illinois does. We are only beat by California and they were not in the room so I am not sure what they are doing. What are we doing, right now. Well to be honest, NOTHING. However, I personally would like to change that and absolutely need your support.

It is my goal to fund legislative efforts at the state level with the annual Legislative Conference going forward. As we have been preparing for the event (April 12-13) we have discovered almost triple digit bills waiting to be pushed through. Some of them are good for HR and business and some are not. IL State Legislators need to hear from us with regard to those that are not, so they will be less likely to vote them into law.

Illinois is one of 10 states this year that SHRM Government Affairs plans to work with to bring about advocacy in all 19 of our districts. Michael Laymen, SHRM, Govt. Affairs is coming in for our Legislative Conference to not only provide us with a federal update but to train us on how to make those connections and advocate for what we think is right as it affects our everyday life. I hope you will consider joining us in this initial effort. It is of utmost importance that your local legislators hear from you, know you, call on you when they have a question about something that will ultimately affect your job.

Please support the HR Legislative efforts in Illinois by first attending this conference  and second by telling other members and HR professionals about it! We can work together to make a difference in Illinois! As an incentive, the state council will reimburse mileage for one (1) carload of attendees from each chapter. Carpool to save gas, network, and strategize about how you will make a difference. Are you with me?

-Donna Rogers State Director ISC SHRM