Illinois Policymakers Should Support Small Businesses
The pandemic and COVID-19 mitigations began inflicting immense damage to small businesses in March 2020. Thousands of small businesses initially applied for Illinois Business Interruption Grants. While these grants helped some small businesses, approximately 80% of applicants were not awarded a grant.
Illinois then received over $8 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds. However, only $250 million was allocated to the new grant program for struggling small businesses. These funds will likely be exhausted before many eligible businesses receive grants. With billions of ARPA funds remaining, policymakers should allocate an additional $300 million for grants to struggling small businesses.
Illinois politicians should finish what they started. They should replenish the Back to Business grant program and promptly get funds to struggling small businesses, some of whom have waited almost two years for a grant to help offset the damage caused by the pandemic and mitigations established to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Please fill out the call to action below and ask your legislators to support struggling small businesses. Thank you for supporting the small business community!
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
