Occupational licenses should protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. Unfortunately, some occupational licenses are unnecessary and burdensome. They create unwarranted barriers for Illinois entrepreneurs and those interested in working in new professions.
Needless occupational licenses also keep people from moving to Illinois. Needless occupational licenses, or those which are overly restrictive, also hurt small businesses struggling to find qualified employees.
Illinois policymakers can support small businesses, create jobs and empower entrepreneurs by guarding against the imposition of unnecessary red tape through new occupational licenses. Legislation has already been filed which, if passed, will establish a process to investigate and review whether new occupational and professional licenses are necessary.
Illinois House Bill 4012 will permit any individual or interested party to ask the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to review proposed legislation establishing new licenses or expanding the scope of those already in existence. The department will then be empowered to make recommendations to legislators before they vote to establish another occupational license.
Illinois legislators should also eliminate or modify unnecessary and burdensome licenses already on the books in Illinois. For example, a barber in Illinois must complete 1,500 hours of education, which is often costly, before being able to cut hair or start their own business.
This is only one example of a license that creates barriers for people trying to work.
Read the article in its entirety here
2021 SBAC Small Business Pitch Throwdown Photos
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2021 SBAC Small Business Pitch Throwdown on December 2nd at Workbox! We had a blast watching the finalists pitch their business with a hearty CONGRATULATIONS to this year’s winner, Mycocycle!! Special thank you to Kristi Ross for being such an inspiration and giving some incredible business advice…
REVITALIZATION IN THE NEWS: New North Austin Community Center Moves Forward
“We saw kids were hopeless. We believe we will give kids the opportunity to find some hope…” The Chicago City Council has agreed to sell public land for one dollar and has provided approval for the development of the North Austin Community Center. The $31 million project is being developed as a partnership between…
Policymakers must focus on reducing property taxes in 2022
Property taxes are a huge burden on Illinois residents and small businesses. Politicians on both sides of the aisle understand they are oppressive and drive people out of Illinois. Politicians throughout the state, and all levels of government, acknowledge that solutions must be put forth and moved forward to stabilize property taxes. In his…
