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.
Urge Politicians to Make PPP Loans Deductible
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…
SBAC featured in NBC News
Small Businesses struggle amid the Pandemic The SBAC has long been advocating for relief for Small Businesses since the COVID-19 Pandemic started. Elliot Richardson, President of SBAC was featured in NBC News stating “if there is no government intervention and stimulus relief provided to small businesses, many more will not make it through the winter,”…
SBAC Action Call – Support the R.I.S.E. Act!
Urge Politicians to Help Create Jobs and Support Small Businesses With the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Illinois, our politicians must act quickly to help those who have lost their jobs or businesses get safely back to work. State Senator Ram Villivalam has filed legislation that will incentivize small businesses to retrain and hire those…
