Supporting Struggling Small Businesses
The pandemic and Covid-19 mitigations began inflicting immense damage to many small businesses in March of 2020. Thousands of small businesses initially applied for Illinois Business Interruption Grants. While these grants helped some small businesses, approximately 80% of eligible small businesses which applied were not awarded a grant.
Subsequently, Illinois received over 8 billion dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funds. However, only $250 million were allocated for Back to Business grant program. These funds will likely be exhausted before many struggling and eligible businesses receive grants.
Illinois still has billions of federal funds and should replenish the Back to Business grant program with an additional $300 million. Our policymakers should not pick winners and loses when there is adequate funding to support the struggling small businesses.
House Bill HB5489 will allocate an additional $300 million for the Back to Business grant program. Please ask your legislators to support this legislation so that struggling small businesses can receive the support they need to recover from a pandemic, and associated mitigations, which they could not control.
BLOCK CITY CHICAGO REPORTS on Commercial Corridor Revitalization
BLOCK CITY CHICAGO REPORTS HYDE PARK, WOODLAWN, SOUTH SHORE Some Landlords Keep Their Storefronts Empty For Years – And Get Tax Breaks For It. Business Leaders Want To Change That Small business advocates want to limit the tax breaks property owners can get on vacant storefronts. On 79th Street, three in five storefronts were vacant…
Funding For Local Chambers of Commerce
HB4993 -> 1 Pager & Endorsements Chamber Relief Grant Program Local chambers of commerce provide important support and services to small businesses. They connect small businesses to potential customers and play a pivotal role in fostering commerce in local communities. However, many chambers have been devastated by the pandemic. For that reason, we are asking…
Occupational Licensing Reform
Occupational Licensing Reform Occupational licenses are often necessary to protect the safety, health, and welfare of the public. However, when these licenses are revisited by legislators, it is important they have accurate and unbiased information before determining whether and how to maintain such a license. Regulatory Sunset Review – HB5576 This legislation amends the Regulatory…
