OpEd: Crains Chicago Business
February 08, 2022 11:34 AM A Labor Shortage Creates an Opportunity to Help the Homeless Illinois politicians should engage those leading the fight against homelessness and also engage small-business advocates to explore how to prepare homeless individuals for a return to the workforce. NELI VAZQUEZ ROWLAND ELLIOT RICHARDSON Read the FULL OpEd HERE SPONSORS…
Revitalization in the News: Chicago Recovery Plan Funding Available!
There’s still funding bids available through the City of Chicago and the Chicago Recovery Plan. “The Chicago Recovery Plan invests over $1.2 billion in new and existing initiatives. Over the lifespan of the Chicago Recovery Plan, there will be frequent opportunities to partner with Chicago organizations and we look forward to these partnerships.” The…
NRC Community Survey Has Been Extended!
Thriving commercial corridors and neighborhood business districts can support local communities across Chicago and Cook County. However, many commercial corridors are struggling. We are looking for your feedback and insight on how to revitalize and empower commercial corridors. Please take a moment to fill out this short survey so we can better understand the needs…
SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICTS
SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICTS BY REDUCING COMMERCIAL VACANCIES Struggling neighborhood business districts are often plagued by vacant properties. These commercial vacancies impact local economies, foster criminal activity and devastate communities. Local governments can reduce the property taxes owed by commercial property owners when their properties, or a portion of those properties, are vacant. While most…
SBAC Business Buzz – January 2022
SBAC Business Buzz – January 2022 Welcome to the inaugural episode of our new video series, SBAC Business Buzz, featuring Elliot Richardson’s update on SBAC initiatives impacting the Illinois small business community. Today’s 3-minute recap focuses on Back to Business Grants, Workforce, Occupational SPONSORS Fifth Third Bank Saul Ewing Arnstein Lehr Inland Bank Ntiva Daily…
Press Release: Illinois Legislative Leaders Support a Small Business Agenda
JANUARY 18, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Patti Zikmund // 773-459-3301 // patti@sbacil.org The Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC), and a coalition of 50 state-wide business organizations, is working with Illinois political leadership on multiple pieces of legislation supporting small business for the upcoming General Assembly. The legislation will foster the recovery of small businesses,…
REVITALIZATION IN THE NEWS: Illinois Announces $8.4 Million in Small Business Grants
“A strong pandemic economic recovery includes recognizing that some communities have long been denied their fair share of resources,” said Governor JB Pritzker. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has announced on Monday, January 10th that $8.4 million in new additional grants will be available to small businesses and commercial corridors. This is…
The RISE Grant Program
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…
Childcare Tax Credit
One issue that has lead many to put off re-entering the workforce from the pandemic fallout is the cost and difficulty in terms of finding affordable and quality childcare. The SBAC has determined it is such a significant issue that it has been added to our agenda for the 2022 Spring Session. The childcare tax…
CDC Shortens Quarantine Period and OSHA Updates Guidance on the ETS
The last two weeks have provided a rollercoaster ride for employers as they grapple with the resurrection of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, updated guidance from OSHA on the testing protocols under the ETS and new CDC guidance shortening quarantine periods. Employers…