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What 2021 Could Mean for Small Businesses

By growthzone | January 1, 2021

January 20, 2021 By Elliot Richardson Small Business Advisory Council SBAC President Elliot Richardson’s column discusses the Business and Economic Outlook Forum hosted by the Daily Herald Business Ledger.  The piece highlights the need for legislation that provides financial resources for small businesses to retrain and hire Illinoisans who have lost their jobs or businesses…

2020 to 2021 The Changing Landscape for Employment, Insurance and Lending

By growthzone | December 28, 2020

While mental health issues in the workplace have been a concern for some time, this past year, COVID-19 has shown the challenges employees are facing have spiked dramatically.  Hear from Jason Tremblay on how this will impact both employers and their employees in the video. Stephen Ball from Fifth Third discusses automatic forgiveness for PPP…

Univision entrevista a Neli Vasquez-Rowland

By growthzone | December 18, 2020

Muchas gracias a univision para su reportaje sobre nuestra campaña conjunta con a Safe Haven Foundation para mantener a las pequenas empresas aflote y para prestar asistencia a las personas mas necesitadas durante este periodo tan dificil.

Daily Herald 2021 Economic Outlook Webinar

By growthzone | December 11, 2020

We were grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Daily Herald 2021 Economic Outlook Webinar. Elliot talked about state legislation that can help individuals, families, small businesses and local communities recover from the pandemic. To watch the webinar, visit our “In The News” section or simply CLICK HERE.

SBAC and A Safe Haven on WCPT Chicago

By growthzone | December 11, 2020

Elliot Richardson and Neli Vasquez-Rowland on WCPT with Joan Esposito On December 3rd, Elliot Richardson, President and Co-Founder of SBAC and Neli Vasquez-Rowland, Founder and President of A Safe Haven were hosted on WCPT Chicago with Joan Esposito discussing the situation of homelessness and small businesses in Chicago. With the pandemic affecting small businesses on…

Congress Must Provide Relief to Local Chambers and Business Organizations

By growthzone | December 4, 2020

Congress Must Provide Relief to Local Chambers and Business Organizations Local chambers of commerce and business organizations provide crucial support to the small business community.  It is imperative that Congress provide them with the support needed so they can make it through these unprecedented times and help local businesses recover from the pandemic.  Over 50…

Home Based Businesses

By growthzone | December 1, 2020

Jumpstarting Chicago’s Economic Recovery The city of Chicago is facing unprecedented public health and economic challenges resulting from COVID-19. By executive order, by choice, or by necessity, many Chicagoans are starting and operating businesses from home during the pandemic. However, Chicago’s regulations make the home occupation license too complicated and too restrictive for these vitally…

Property Tax Reform

By growthzone | December 1, 2020

Citizens Empowerment Act The state of Illinois has the second highest property taxes in the US. Property taxes are a huge burden on Illinois residents and small businesses, and often drive people out of the state. Illinois also has 6,918 local units of government, according to the latest Census Bureau data, which is more than…

Make Minority Contracting Reforms Now

By growthzone | November 25, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the small business community. With businesses struggling, government contracts are even more important to many small businesses, including minority owned businesses with limited cash reserves and access to capital. The failure of governmental entities at all levels to ensure that minority businesses receive a fair share…

Urge Politicians to Make PPP Loans Deductible

By growthzone | November 24, 2020

ACTION CALL: Urge Politicians to Make PPP Loans Deductible to Support Small Businesses The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, or PPP, was passed in order to provide small businesses across the United States crucial relief during widespread government shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These loans can be forgivable when proceeds are used…

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