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.
IACCE Chamber Call with Senate President Harmon
IACCE Chamber Call with Senate President Harmon The SBAC and Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives hosted Senate President Harmon, Senator Castro and Senator Sims for a broad discussion about how the small business community and Illinois Senate can work together. There has never been a more important time to advocate for the small…
What Small Business Needs to Make It Through
What small business needs to make it through An advocate has advice and a forecast for the sector as entrepreneurs navigate a pandemic that remains in flux. This week Chicago Comes Back welcomes Elliot Richardson, co-founder and president of the Small Business Advocacy Council, an organization dedicated to advocating for small businesses in Illinois. We…
Big win for small businesses!
SBAC Applauds Mayor Lightfoot and City Council For Providing Small Businesses a Big Win For Immediate Release July 21, 2021 Statement by Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) President Elliot Richardson: The SBAC and a robust coalition of business and community organizations have been fighting to reduce the time it takes for small businesses to obtain…