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.
Occupational Licensing Reform
READ H.B 4012 Why Occupational Licensing Needs Reform Occupational licenses are issued to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare. The number of required licenses in Illinois has grown from a handful in the 1950’s to over 430 today. Policymakers across the political spectrum are challenging states to examine occupational licensing and its impact on…
Support Small Business and Prevent Foreclosures
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on the small business community. Many small businesses are struggling to pay their employees and rent. Commercial property owners cannot pay their mortgage when their small business tenants cannot pay rent. Without swift action, small businesses will fail and foreclosures will skyrocket. Federal Legislation Needed The…
SBAC’s Elliot Richardson on WGN Radio
SBAC’s Elliot Richardson talks with Anna Davlantes on WGN Radio about the impact the pandemic has had on the small business community. There has never been a more important time to stand with small business than right now! Listen to the whole 8-minute interview here: Listen to the Interview Here
