In recognition of  National Women's Small Business Month, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) recently announced it will host a series of webinars to support the advancement of women-owned businesses. The discussions scheduled by DCEO and a host of industry partners, including Groupon, will offer support and insights for small businesses to grow, position themselves, and seek out resources that will help them overcome the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

The application for Business Interruption Grants (BIG) is currently available for review by businesses seeking assistance. Applications will be accepted between June 26 through July 7, 2020.

In the first round of grants, the state has allocated $60 million for businesses experiencing extreme hardship as a result of COVID-19 related closures. Up to $20,000 per business will be awarded for eligible applicants.

Cloaked under the description of “privacy” legislation, a package of bills under consideration in Springfield takes solid aim at two of the state’s key economic performers — small businesses and the burgeoning tech industry in Illinois.

These bills include complex compliance regulations, which would apply to businesses of all sizes, but would place an enormous burden on small businesses statewide.

The “Right to Know” bill (House Bill 2774) would require any business with a website — even a local flower shop or pizza parlor — to draft privacy policies longer and more confusing than anything required by existing law and to create new IT systems — at best, a complex and expensive undertaking; at worst, impossible to implement — to respond to consumer requests under threat of liability. Read the opinion piece in SJ-R.

Scammers are trying to collect a phony $125 “fee” by telling businesses in Illinois that the money is owed to the state to process their “Annual Minutes Records Form.”

Businesses are approached by the Illinois Council for Corporations, which sends them a form similar to a legitimate report required by the secretary of state’s office.

“We are concerned that companies are filing the form and paying the $125 fee because they believe they are filing their annual report with us, as required by law,” said Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. WQAD has the story.

Small business now has a stronger voice in Springfield, thanks to State Rep. Keith Wheeler, R-Oswego, and State Rep. Carol Sente, D-Vernon Hills, who recently formed the Small Business Owners Caucus in the Illinois House of Representatives.

“Small business is the backbone of our state and local economy, accounting for over 60% of all new private-sector jobs created in America each year,” Rep. Wheeler said. “This new bipartisan caucus will bring together small business owners from every region of Illinois to formulate policy reforms that will make our state more competitive and help to attract and retain quality Illinois jobs for Illinois families.”

The 20-member Small Business Owners Caucus has been created to bring together state legislators who are current or former small business owners to share similar entrepreneurial experiences. Activities will include caucus-backed legislative proposals and supporting individual caucus members' legislative ideas, as well as holding subject matter focused business discussions with the constitutional officers, agency directors, legislative leaders and pro-business organizations. Various business groups have already come forward with ideas of establishing an annual scorecard of pro-business legislation and nominating annual champions of the business community. Read more.

Rep. David Reis

State Representative David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) is joining fellow lawmakers and local residents in voicing strong opposition to a proposed regulation by the Illinois State Fire Marshal mandating fire sprinkler systems be installed in all new residential home construction and existing places of assembly.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) proposed the new regulation on June 28, 2013, requiring the installation of fire sprinkler systems in new one-and-two family homes.   Existing churches and other places of public worship are also affected by this rulemaking.

“Right now families are working hard to save enough money to purchase or build a home, and with this mandate, they will be required to pay thousands of dollars more,” Rep. Reis said.  “Additionally, many homes downstate rely on wells for fresh water that cannot accommodate these increased demands, which will lead to additional well drilling costs.”

From Reboot Illinois:

At its June 26th Board of Directors meeting, the Illinois Chamber Board voted unanimously to oppose a graduated income tax for Illinois.

You'll be hearing a lot more about this topic in the coming year -- proponents will be doing everything they can to convince you -- the citizens of Illinois -- to vote "yes" for a Constitutional Amendment that would, for the first time in our state's history, permit the Illinois General Assembly to impose a graduated income tax.

The November 2014 general election will be the last opportunity to pass a Constitutional Amendment authorizing a change in tax structure before the temporary income tax rate increases enacted in January 2011 begin to roll back.

Read the full story.

The House Republicans know how important small business is for Illinois families and our economy. Small businesses provide the lion's share of Illinois jobs and their owners find ways to live within their means while providing a quality product and/or service. We believe Illinois' small businesses and the people of our state deserve nothing less from their state government. 

In Reboot Illinois, Elliot Richardson, CEO of Small Business Advisory Council, calls on Illinois lawmakers to take some cues from small business. Here is a synopsis of his column. 

"...A dysfunctional government in Springfield causes uncertainly for small business owners and costs people jobs.

Business owners understand that operating their companies in a smart, and efficient manner, is a critical part of ensuring their viability.  Most also acknowledge that politics can be complicated and policy-making difficult.  However, in talking with thousands of business owners over the past few months, who deal with complicated issues of their own, here are a few suggestions that have been offered to the folks in Springfield.

Illinois' growing number of farmers markets are the favorite shopping option for families looking for locally grown produce and products like honey, soap, wine, flowers, spices, eggs, cheeses, preserves and more.

Not only will you find the freshest and tastiest seasonal fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, you'll be supporting Illinois farmers, artisans and small business owners. You'll also be doing your part to protect our environment. On average, food travels 1,500 miles to get to your plate. This transportation uses natural resources like fossil fuels, contributes to pollution, and creates excess trash with extra packaging need for transporting.

Add shopping at farmers markets to your summer activities. Here are links to resources to help you find a market near you:

Illinois Department of Agriculture searchable list of farmers markets.
Illinois Tourism list of farmers markets
Local Beet Chicago Edition
FarmersMarketsOnline