SPRINGFIELD – Figures reported by U.S. Public Interest Research Groups found the federal government lost over $150 billion in revenue in 2013 due to offshore corporate tax havens.

State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) championed the override of the governor’s veto of House Bill 3419 to level the playing field among businesses that compete for state contracts and investments.

“Corporations that use offshore tax havens to avoid paying taxes should not be rewarded with state contracts and business,” Hastings said. “If businesses are going to avoid paying taxes, they should not be making money off of taxpayer dollars.”

House Bill 3419 will prohibit expatriate corporations from submitting bids or entering into contracts with state agencies.

Expatriate corporations utilize tax havens to avoid paying taxes.

“It is plain and simple. If corporations don’t pay taxes they should not benefit from state contracts,” Hastings said. “We need to give local businesses that play fair and pay their fair share of Illinois income taxes a chance to compete and be successful when they bid for state contracts.”

This will apply to any foreign country that does not impose a substantial income tax or substantial business activity tax.

SPRINGFIELD- Illinois startups may soon have a new tax credit available, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park).

Hastings joined the Illinois State Senate in voting to override the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 1462, which creates a new tax credit to reimburse new startup businesses for state fees associated with forming a new business in Illinois.

“The investments we make in small businesses spur economic development and new jobs for our communities,” Hastings said. “Our communities win when small businesses thrive in Illinois.”

The tax credit will reimburse beginning entrepreneurs who are forming new businesses in the information service, biotechnology and green technology business sectors for state fees associated with starting a new business in Illinois.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Development will administer the program. The program is capped at a total of $500,000 in reimbursements.
Hastings was shocked by Governor Rauner’s veto of legislation that may help build Illinois’ economy.

“I was surprised the self-described ‘business governor’ did not embrace new legislation to enhance Illinois’ economy and encourage new residents to invest in our communities,” Hastings said. “Growing our economy is not a partisan issue. It is our responsibility to work together to create new jobs and encourage entrepreneurs to choose Illinois as their home.”

Hastings says the Department of Commerce and Economic Development will evaluate the program’s effectiveness and report back to the General Assembly and governor to ensure the tax credit is achieving its goal. At that time the General Assembly can work together to enhance and change the tax credit to make sure it is meeting the needs of local residents.

Senate Bill 1462 passed the Senate and now heads to the House for consideration.

TINLEY PARK- During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, State Senator Michael E. Hastings reminds residents that domestic violence is a daily issue that affects many Illinoisans.

“As a state, it is our duty to condemn domestic violence in any form and continue our charge to support a safe living and work environment for all Illinois residents,” Hastings said. “Confronting an attacker is hard process for survivors of domestic violence. When someone is ready to take this step of bravery there are is a new measure in place to help provide them with justice.”

Hastings championed a measure to help protect victims of domestic violence in Illinois during the legislative session.

The new law will improve the processing and review of sexual assault evidence by requiring the Illinois State Police to implement a new statewide sexual assault evidence kit tracking procedure. It also creates the Sexual Assault Evidence and Reporting Commission to research and develop best practices to establish a statewide plan to track and report sexual assault evidence.

“The justice system was created to give our citizens the opportunity to confront their abusers and for the innocent to be absolved of faulty accusations,” Hastings said. “This new law will ensure survivors of sexual assault are equipped with the right evidence to receive their fair day in court.”

Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault reports that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience some form of sexual assault in their lifetime. Illinois became the first state in the nation to a enact rape kit reform law in 2010. Hastings believes this new law is the next step in ensuring transparency and ending the backlog of untested evidence.

“Transparency is key to ensure rape kits are tested responsibly and in a timely manner,” Hastings said. “Our hope is this new process will implement a system that stresses accuracy and accountably to give survivors of sexual assault some peace of mind.”

House Bill 528 passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support. The new law is now in effect.

TINLEY PARK- Military families who have made the ultimate sacrifice will have one less hurdle to jump through in Illinois.

State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) championed a new law to update the Line of Duty Compensation Act to include recent military operations: Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation New Dawn and Operation Inherent Resolve.

“This simple step will remove a hurdle for our brave military families who have already lost too much,” Hastings said. “It is our duty to honor and respect the sacrifices their loved ones made for our great nation.”

The Line of Duty Compensation Act provides for death benefits to be paid through the Court of Claims when law enforcement officers, firemen and military service men and women are killed in the line of duty.

The Attorney General’s Office reached out to the sponsor after a claim filed by the wife of a U.S. Army serviceman who was killed during Operation Freedom Sentinel was not included in the act.

“We need to continue to look for ways to honor our nation’s heroes and their loved ones,” Hastings said. “Illinois needs to remain true to the bravery of our military men and women.”

Hastings advanced to the rank of a captain in the U.S. Army and served as aide-de-camp to the commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division in Iraq. He earned the Bronze Star for his meritorious service in a combat zone.

“I want my fellow service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice to be honored and remembered for their bravery,” Hastings said. “This small change will make it the process easier for their loved ones and families.”

Senate Bill 860 passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support. The updates to the Line of Duty Compensation Act are now in effect.