Peoria Standard

Senator Neil Anderson called his 100% on the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) scorecard "an honor." He made the statement in an Aug. 12 Facebook post.

"Its's an honor to be recognized," said Anderson, Illinois State Senator (R-Andalusia), according to Facebook.

For the 2023-2024 legislative scorecard put out by the NFIB, Senator Neil Anderson received a perfect score. According to Anderson, "Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, and they are under increasing pressure from policies coming out of Springfield. These locally owned businesses provide good jobs that sustain our local economies. I am proud to stand with them and will continue to fight for them," he said in a news release on his website.

Screenshot of Sen. Neil Anderson's August 12 Facebook post. | State Senator Neil Anderson's Facebook page.

The NFIB evaluated legislator voting records for eight specific bills to compile this report card ranking. The bills include a house bill with new requirements for job postings—requiring employers of 51 or more employees to include salary ranges and benefits in job postings; voting against this bill supports the NFIB position. Another bill would require day or temporary workers who work more than three months with one client to receive the same pay and benefits as direct hire employees, and a vote against this bill supports the NFIB position.

Another bill that garners NFIB support with a "no" vote is Senate Bill 3649, which limits employers' rights to hold mandatory workplace meetings to discuss their perspective on unionization with employees. The expansion of prevailing wage to include positions related to removal, hauling, transportation, and disposal of biosolids, sludge, lime, and lime residue from water treatment plants is another bill where a "NO" vote from a legislator would support the NFIB position, according to a list of bills used by the NFIB in scoring legislators.

"Senator Anderson racked up a 100% small-business voting record this past legislative session," said NFIB Illinois State Director Noah Finley. "He understands that Main Street businesses are essential to our local communities and has stood up against harmful regulations and governmental mandates that put small businesses at a disadvantage in today’s global economy."

Senator Neil Anderson has served the people of the 47th District since 2015. He grew up in the Quad City area and worked in the family business installing floors. He was a walk-on for the University of Nebraska football team before joining the Moline Fire Department after earning his paramedic license. He currently works for the Moline Fire Department.