The RISE Grant Program
The pandemic has had a significant impact on the Illinois workforce. Small businesses are still struggling to hire qualified employees which has greatly impacted their operations. Illinois policymakers will need to promptly pass forward-thinking policies to help get folks back into the workforce.
The SBAC is advocating for the passage of The RISE Grant Program - HB4455. This legislation connects those interested working in a new field or industry with small businesses struggling to hire new employees. Importantly, HB4455 offsets the costs associated with on-the-job training at the inception of the employer-employee relationship. The legislation provides funding for $5,000 grants which can be awarded to businesses that (1) retrain and hire employees that lost their jobs or businesses because of the pandemic; (2) employ less than 50 employees; and (3) create a new net job.
Illinois received over $8 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act funds. The SBAC contends a responsible portion of those funds should be used to support small businesses struggling to hire new employees. This legislation allocates $250,000,000 in funding for this new grant program. This legislation connects those interested working in a new field, in part, facilitated by the pandemic, with small businesses that are struggling to hire new employees. HB4455 creates opportunities for small businesses, while helping get people back into the workforce.
Phil Gafka – Insights & Blogs
Phil has been a mentor with us for a minute now and he’s always willing to help where there is need. Perhaps you joined us last summer when he hosted our first ever Lunch-and-Learn on leadership, a quality he demonstrated well then. Phil’s also a writer, and he frequently updates his website with blogs he’s…
Saul Ewing Employment Update
SBAC INSIGHTS PAGE January 2024Authored by: David G. Shapiro and Marielle C. MacMinnSBAC Partner, Saul Ewing, provides an update on dubious Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims – “many of which were made at the urging of aggressive promoters. The IRS is offering a limited-time Voluntary Disclosure Program (VDP) to encourage taxpayers to come forward, allowing…
Chicago Paid Time Off Ordinance Final Rules
SBAC INSIGHTS PAGE Helpful Resources: Chicago Labor Laws Educational Resources: You can find law-specific fact sheets for all Chicago Labor Laws, as well as additional resources focused on Chicago’s Paid Leave and Paid Sick Leave Ordinance. Overview of Chicago’s Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance Webinar – May 22, 2024 Descripción General…
