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 The RISE Grant Program - HB4455. This legislation connects those interested working in a new field or industry with small businesses struggling to hire new employees. Importantly, HB4455 offsets the costs associated with on-the-job training at the inception of the employer-employee relationship. The legislation provides funding for $5,000 grants which can be awarded to businesses that (1) retrain and hire employees that lost their jobs or businesses because of the pandemic; (2) employ less than 50 employees; and (3) create a new net job.
Illinois received over $8 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act funds. The SBAC contends a responsible portion of those funds should be used to support small businesses struggling to hire new employees. This legislation allocates $250,000,000 in funding for this new grant program. This legislation connects those interested working in a new field, in part, facilitated by the pandemic, with small businesses that are struggling to hire new employees. HB4455 creates opportunities for small businesses, while helping get people back into the workforce.
Chicago businesses are feeling the effects of supply-chain slowdowns
“Small businesses are just having a tremendously difficult time getting the supplies that they need to run their business, and, of course, this is even more concerning with the holiday season approaching,” said Elliot Richardson, president of the Small Business Advocacy Council in Chicago. He said the supply-chain problems are impacting all kinds of retailers.…
IACCE Conversation with Speaker of the House, Chris Welch
The SBAC’s Elliot Richardson had the distinct pleasure of moderating the IACCE – Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives call with Emanuel Chris Welch and Office of State Representative Carol Ammons last Friday. Watch the entire conversation addressing issues such as Back to Business Grants Workforce Development Unemployment Trust Fund Child Care Tax Credit/Grant…
REVITALIZATION IN THE NEWS : South Shore
REVITLIZATION IN THE NEWS Residents in the South Shore are taking revitalization into their own hands, revitalizing vacant spaces in their community. Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about news from the local housing market, including neighbors taking a redevelopment project into their own hands and more. …
