SBAC is the voice of small business and your support is key to our success. Our non-partisan advocacy agenda focuses on initiatives to promote a functional government, level the playing field for small businesses and economic development.
FEDERAL PRIORITIES
SBAC 2018 Federal Legislative Agenda
The Marketplace Fairness Act and its companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, The Remote Transaction Parity Act, grants states the authority to compel online and catalog retailers, no matter where they are located, to collect sales tax at the time of a transaction – exactly like local retailers are already Related Documents: Over the past two decades, the internet has changed the way consumers communicate, access information, and participate in the economy. Just as consumer behavior is evolving, technology is also creating new opportunities and challenges by changing the way businesses engage with customers. Related Documents:
required to do.
Legislative Summary & Status
Net Neutrality Ensured Vote on Senate Floor [The Hill]
FCC Repeals Net Neutrality Rules [New York Times]
What is net neutrality and how does it impact small business?
SBAC & Net Neutrality Coalition Efforts
STATE PRIORITIES
SBAC 2018 State Legislative Agenda
| Allow Local Communities to Address Local Licensing Issues [100th GA Legislation: SB2436] Related Documents: Coalition Letter in Support of SB 2436 Illinois Letting 1934 Law Hamper its Food Biz [Crain’s Chicago Business] Governor Rauner Signals Support for SBAC Initiative Allow Restaurants that are Within 100 ft. of a Church to Sell Alcohol |
The SBAC strongly support a common-sense amendment to The Liquor Control Act of 1934. This provision would grant authority to the local liquor control commissioner to give exemptions for businesses who wish to serve alcohol within 100 ft. of a churches, school, and other community establishments currently prohibited by state law.
Every community is unique and faces different challenges, therefore, giving local government’s discretion over this standard is a practical solution to our current regulation. Due to state law, business owners must contend with a long and exhausting procedure to apply for an exemption, even with the consent and support of the impacted institution, city council member and community leaders. This legislation passed the Senate with unanimous, bipartisan support on February 27, 2018. |
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| Small Business Economic Impact Analysis [100th GA Legislation: HB5253] |
Many regulations imposed by state agencies disproportionately impact small business owners, causing many to make tough decisions on cutting employees and changing business procedures to comply with newly imposed regulations.
The SBAC introduced legislation to expand economic impact analysis when new rules are proposed by requiring state agencies to list the industries that will be impacted, and identify the types of impacts small businesses the proposed ordinance will have on small business owners. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will also place notification of all proposed rules affecting small businesses on its website. This legislation passed the House with unanimous, bipartisan support on April 27, 2018. |
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| Small Business Job Creation Act [100th GA Legislation: SB3153] |
Illinois small businesses employed 2.4 million people, or 46.4% of the private workforce in 2013. Encouraging job growth to our state’s largest economic contributor is vital to ensure economic growth in the state. Under the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit Act, employers under 50 employees qualify for a tax credit for each new job created encouraging small businesses to create jobs however that act did sunset. We encourage Springfield to bring back this widely used program.
This legislation was filed in the Senate on February 16, 2018. |
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| Redistricting Reform [100th GA Legislation: HJRCA0043 & SJRCA0026] Related Documents: SBAC Fair Maps “Write Your Legislator” Campaign Illinois Redistricting Collaborative Constitutional Amendment Fact Sheet After Previous Defeats, Redistricting Reformers Start Lobbying Legislators [Daily Herald Editorial Board] Small Business Takes a Stand Against Gerrymandering [Daily Herald Business Ledger] SBAC Kicks Off Redistricting Reform Effort in 2018 |
The SBAC is fighting to end gerrymandering in Illinois because entrepreneurs are reluctant to expand when they are not confident in their government or ability to weigh in on policies that impact their businesses.
The SBAC is a member of the Illinois Redistricting Collaborative, a non-partisan coalition of organizations seeking to implement an independent commission to draw representational districts for state elected officials. This effort is focused on making this change through a constitutional amendment via legislative action. This legislation was filed in the House on February 26, 2018 and the Senate on March 13, 2018. |
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| Term Limits on Leadership [100th GA Legislation: SJRCA0019] |
The SBAC urges legislators to support limiting a person’s total service in the offices of Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and Minority Leader of the Senate. This reform is important to ensure no one individual accumulates too much power or influence over our state’s government. It will also help curb the influence of entrenched interests in the political process and give it back to voters.
This legislation was filed in the Senate on February 6, 2018. |
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| Workers’ Compensation Reform: Proportional Causation Standard [100th GA Legislation: SB3091] |
The high cost of procuring workers’ compensation insurance hurts the small business community and curtails the growth of Illinois businesses. The manner by which Illinois handles causation is one of the reasons for Illinois’ high workers’ compensation premiums.The SBAC and several coalition partners are advocating for a workers’ compensation proposal that charges arbitrators with apportioning damages and compensating injured workers to the extent a work-related accident caused their injuries. For example, if an arbitrator determines 20% of an injury was caused at work and the remaining condition was caused by other factors, a petitioner would collect 20% of the award for damages. If an arbitrator determines that an injury was 80% attributed to a work injury, and 20% to other factors, an employee would recover 80% of the damages award. More than half the states have adopted percentage-based or proportional causation systems.This legislation was filed in the Senate on February 15, 2018. |
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| Constitutional Pension Reform – Accelerated Benefit Program [100th GA Legislation: HB0315] |
The SBAC urges legislators to introduce and support a bi-partisan pension bill previously introduced by Representative Mark Batinick. Under this proposal, eligible retirees will be offered the option to take a lump sum payment in exchange for all or a portion of their annuity, at a 25% discount to the state. Only those retiring will be presented this option. While Illinois faces a growing $111 billion pension shortfall, this bill could potentially net the state billions in long-term savings. Most importantly, this legislation provides a voluntary and constitutional approach to addressing the state’s pension obligations, while giving retirees greater control over their money. We ask our elected officials to make it a top priority to pass constitutional pension reform in 2018.
This legislation was filed in the House on January 10, 2018. |
CHICAGO PRIORITIES
Chicago’s economy is fueled by small and local businesses. They are the engines of economic growth and job creation, and are integral parts of our local communities. Therefore, eliminating barriers that make it difficult to start and operate a business is crucial. Creating an environment where small businesses and entrepreneurs can thrive will support communities throughout the City. The following recommendations are proposed by the Small Business Advocacy Council and a city-wide coalition of chambers, civic, and trade associations.
Related Documents:
Signs of Change Coalition
City of Chicago (Department of Buildings) Business Owner’s Guide to Signs
2017 Chicago Small Business Reforms Package
