Page 4 - December 31 2017 Reporter

Message From
the League President
Man was never intended to become an oyster.”
Erich Bloxdorf
As the calendar turns another page, it is
at this time that many are embarking on New
Year’s resolutions. Some choose the path to
greater health; some to improved relationships;
and some to actions that will bring about a
successful year in one’s chosen field. Might I
add another thought? Consider being active in
advocacy, career development and in general,
supporting The League.
Over the past year, the staff and Board of
Directors of The League have been laying the
foundation for growth in 2018. Our membership
is up 6%. Attendance at our educational events
has also increased and we have expanded the
service offerings available to our members. Our
website and bi-weekly e-newsletter keeps you
up to date with the efforts of The League on
issues that are important to your organization’s
effectiveness.
As I look into 2018, I see a year of
challenges, but more importantly, a year of
opportunity. Opportunity to get our economy
growing, not simply through tax reform, but
through less burdensome regulation for our
member institutions. And there is opportunity
for our members to access new products,
services and educational opportunities from The
League. But before we close the book on 2017,
a quick look at the efforts on your behalf, in that
last quarter…
1
December 2017
“Get action. Seize the moment.
Teddy Roosevelt
Advocate
I met with the staff of the Department of
Financial and Professional Regulation at the
“Day with the Secretary” at the beginning of the
quarter. This was more of a chance to network
with members and to gain valuable “face time”
with key DFPR staffers.
I attended the ABA Grass Roots Alliance
and State Issues Summit in Chicago. This was
a gathering of lobbyists in the financial services
industry from across the country. Our advocacy
efforts are beginning to bear fruit. Regulatory
relief, in the areas of the treatment of portfolio
loans as Qualified Mortgages, charter flexibility
for Thrifts and other regulatory relief will soon
be signed into law. This is gratifying as The
League has been focused on these efforts in
2017.
At the State Executives Conference in
November I had the opportunity to meet
with Rob Nichols, President and CEO of the
American Bankers Association. We discussed
tax reform and the vigilance required to ensure
that the final product does not injure our
membership. And finally, we discussed our
ongoing efforts to bring about the end of tax
breaks for credit unions. While this will be a
challenge, we remain, as an industry, committed
to eliminating this unfairness.
IllInoIs RepoRteR