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.
Support Outdoor Dining in Chicago
Download the Outdoor Dining FACT SHEET Prompt Action Needed to Support Outdoor Dining in Chicago Chicago’s neighborhood restaurants suffered greatly during the pandemic. When people were unable to gather indoors at restaurants, outdoor dining became the viable alternative. Chicago policymakers took action to provide restaurants with more flexibility and to build on the popularity of…
Legislation Focused on Reducing Health Insurance Premiums of Small Businesses
View and Download the SBAC FACT SHEET Legislation Focused on Reducing Health Insurance Premiums of Small Businesses Passes! Governor Pritzker signed legislation focused on protecting small businesses from excessive premium increases and increasing transparency so that consumers can understand the cost drivers of health insurance. This legislation will apply to health insurance plans beginning in…
SBAC Legislative Agenda 2023
2023 SBAC Lobby Day in Springfield SBAC Legislative Agenda 2023 The Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) is laser-focused on formulating and fighting to pass policies that support small businesses and local communities. The SBAC’s 2023 agenda includes legislation that will support small businesses struggling to hire and retain employees and stabilize the costs of health…
