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.
Graduated Income Tax Town Hall Recording 9/24/2020
The resounding success of our last Graduated Income Tax Town Hall has prompted the IACCE and SBAC to partner on a follow-up forum. Ralph Martire and Leslie Munger returned to answer your questions about the proposed graduated income tax. Ralph Martire is the Executive Director for the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability and Rubloff Professor…
R.I.S.E. Act
READ HB-0801 HERE READ SB-2490 HERE TAKE ACTION Recovery Initiative to Support Employment Small businesses in many industries are struggling and as a result, have no choice but to layoff valued employees. Entrepreneurs and independent contractors in the fields most impacted by the pandemic are also losing their businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic has been unforgiving…
SBAC Women in Business Present Part 2 – Racial Injustice
Post content here. Talking Candidly About Anti-Racism What is My Role, My Business’ Role and the Greater Community’s Role? On July 21st, the SBAC WIB held a very well-received virtual event on better understanding racial injustice. We heard from four engaging and prominent black and brown female panelists who candidly shared their perspectives…