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.
Elliot Richardson speaks with FOX 32 about #ChiBizStrong on June 19th.
Elliot Richardson, SBAC President, speaks with FOX 32 about #ChiBizStrong and stopping politics from derailing important reforms for business. Please translate this page to the language of your choice. Supporters Fifth Third Bank Saul Ewing Arnstein Lehr Inland Bank Ntiva Daily Herald Tandem HR Interprenet Signature Bank Lexitas Empower Korey Richardson Open One Solutions Freeborn…
Are Illinois politicians supporting small businesses?
Illinois politicians have completed their spring legislative session. The Democrats, who hold a supermajority in both legislative chambers, proclaim their budget supports the small business community. That budget allocates $300 million for the Back to Business grant program, presumably to be awarded to small businesses struggling to recover from the pandemic. The budget also includes…
Elliot Richardson’s interview with Lauren Cohn on “Connected to Chicago”
The mayor wants to eliminate red tape for small businesses to help with reopening. Small Business Advisory Council President and Co-Founder Elliot Richardson joins Connected to Chicago” to discuss what can be done. Please translate this page to the language of your choice. Supporters Fifth Third Bank Saul Ewing Arnstein Lehr Inland Bank Ntiva…
