Posts by growthzone
Twenty-Eight Groups Send Letter to Chicago City Council Members on PTO Ordinance
Twenty-Eight Groups Send Letter to Chicago City Council Members on PTO Ordinance City Council has passed a PTO ordinance that provides greatly expanded paid and sick leave for Chicago employees. The ordinance, however, subjects small businesses to crushing penalties and lawsuits. Many small businesses will also be unable to comply with the mandates of the…
Read MoreEmpowering New Businesses: Illinois Launches Back to Business (B2B) NewBiz Program
Illinois Launches Back to Business (B2B) NewBiz Program The application window for the B2B NewBiz program opens on November 30, 2023, and will remain open until January 11, 2024. The Small Business Advocacy Council has advocated for a program that provides grant funding to businesses that launched in 2020 (prior to the pandemic) and in…
Read MoreGiving Tuesday
As we move into 2024, we would be honored to have you engaged with EMPOWER as one of our supporters. Thank you again for your unwavering support; we look forward to staying connected in the future! Insights Archive Insights Archive Select Month September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 May 2024 April 2024 February 2024 January…
Read MoreLetter to Alders
To Members of the Chicago City Council: Chicago small businesses have faced many challenges over the past several years and encountered numerous obstacles while attempting to recover from the devastating pandemic. Disinvested communities continue struggling to fill vacant storefronts, attract businesses, and foster economic development. We ask that you refrain from passing the Chicago Paid…
Read MoreChicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance
Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance A press conference was held at City Hall to highlight concerns with the PTO ordinance and ask that changes to the ordinance be made. Hear from business owners, community advocates, and local chambers who passionately discussed their concerns and suggested possible improvements to the ordinance…
Read MoreSBAC Advocacy Update
October 10, 2023 The SBAC continues fighting for policies that will support small businesses and neighborhood business districts. Here are some updates on our efforts! Health Insurance The rising cost of health insurance continues to be a challenge for the small business community. Last spring the SBAC championed legislation focused on reducing premiums for small…
Read MoreSBAC Oktoberfest ’23
Oktoberfest war ganz Spaß! (Oktoberfest was really fun!) If you missed our event and would like to contribute to the SBAC, please click on the button to the right. The SBAC works diligently to advance policies that support small businesses, their employees and the revitalization of neighborhoods. ***The Small Business Advocacy Council has been determined…
Read MoreChicago Neighborhood Revitalization Caucus
Chicago Neighborhood Revitalization Caucus This is a crucial time for lawmakers to support policies that will revitalize neighborhood business districts and support Chicago small businesses. Therefore, we have formed a neighborhood revitalization caucus where politicians from various facets of government can come together, collaborate with stakeholders, and work to revitalize local economies. We are very…
Read MoreChicago Women’s Expo – Mentee Shelley Carrillo!
DONATE https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1994/2023/10/Chicago-Womens-Expo-Beards-Bellas-f67f4b3d-cbea-4500-8b51-aadf99f73791.mp4 After submitting Shelley and her business for the Ultimate Women’s Expo, which has been running strong for now 30 years in Illinois and other cities like Atlanta, Miami, New York to name a few, Shelley has been accepted and now one of the feature vendors! Out of hundreds of vendors, Shelley’s standout and…
Read MoreTown Halls to Support Local and Small Businesses
Town Halls to Support Local and Small Businesses We’re excited to announce a series of free community town halls focusing on policies that help revitalize neighborhood business districts and support small businesses. These town halls are designed to be informative, and interactive, and to bring communities together. Members and business owners are encouraged to further…
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