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SBAC Wins!

It's no secret that small businesses unite the community. The SBAC’s non-partisan advocacy work has demonstrated the ability to shape local, state and federal legislation for small businesses. We are proud to highlight a few of our successful advocacy efforts and our proven track record of providing non-partisan solutions to help the small business community.

To read more about our current initiatives and how you can join us, click here.

CITY COUNCIL EXPANDS OUTDOOR DINING IN CHICAGO

Chicago’s City Council passed an ordinance that reinstates policies that expand outdoor dining in Chicago. This ordinance will permit restaurants and taverns to serve customers near the curb, on the sidewalks of adjacent buildings, and in parking areas in proper situations. The ordinance also permits street closures to support local restaurants and taverns should various conditions be satisfied.

expanded outdoor dining

LEGISLATION FOCUSED ON REDUCING HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS OF SMALL BUSINESSES

Hear SBAC President Elliot Richardson’s comments about the legislation below or learn more about the bill here. Small businesses have been crushed by the escalating costs of health insurance. The SBAC championed legislation focused on reducing premiums for small businesses and increasing transparency so policymakers and the public can better understand what drives the costs of health insurance. This legislation will apply to health insurance plans in 2026, providing ample time to implement the process for prior approval. This is a big win for small businesses that want to provide affordable, quality health insurance to employees!

TRANSPARENCY BILL FOR GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

Each year Illinois awards government contracts to businesses. These contracts cover everything from construction projects to professional services. Small businesses that drive our economy often have difficulty competing for these government contracts. The same is true for minority and women-owned businesses. Recognizing the important role that small, minority, and women-owned businesses play in the economy, the Illinois legislature has set goals for state agencies. This legislation will require each state agency to provide important information about how much money they spent on government contracts and the amounts awarded to small, minority, and women-owned businesses. As well as require this information be made public so that Illinoisans can see how their tax dollars are being spent. A state contact can help a small, minority, and women-owned business grow and flourish. This bill will provide transparency and that will ensure eligible and qualified small, minority, and women-owned businesses receive government contracts. The Transparency Bill for Government Contracts has passed both the Illinois House and Senate, it will now head to Governor Pritzker to be signed.

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INCREASING ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS FOR SMALL, MINORITY, AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES

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View the press release on SB 2192 here.

Small businesses play a critical role in Illinois’ economy. Helping small businesses receive their fair share of state procurement contracts is important for job creation and the success of the state’s small businesses. The Procurement Bidding Reform legislation that will increase access to government contracts for small, minority, and women-owned businesses has passed both the Illinois House and Senate! Senate Bill 2192 provides that a bidder who has failed to be awarded a contract by the Department of Innovation and Technology, the Department of Transportation, the Capital Development Board, or the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority after four consecutive bids for the same services, will receive an explanation as to the reason for the rejections. This information is crucial for small, minority, and women-owned businesses struggling to obtain government contracts.

RELIEF FOR LOCAL CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Many chambers of commerce were devastated by the pandemic. However, this did not stop them from providing crucial support to local businesses. The SBAC is thrilled to report that Illinois politicians have provided 5 million dollars to support the recovery of chambers of commerce in Illinois. The SBAC has been working to procure this funding for the past year to foster the recovery of chambers. The distribution of these funds will be awarded via a grant through a program established by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Chambers can receive up to one-sixth of the annual revenue lost between 2019 and 2020. In the event additional funds remain after eligible chambers receive grants, additional grants can be made to chambers. This bill will apply to chambers with an annual revenue of up to one million dollars. Thank you to the chambers of commerce that worked with their legislators on this initiative. Thank you to the legislators that championed this legislation! This is a very big deal for the small business community

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LLC FEE REDUCTION

llc filing fees

The SBAC championed legislation in 2017 reducing the fees for forming an LLC (limited liability corporations) from $500 to $150, the annual renewal fee from $250.00 to $75.00 and other LLC fees, which were among the highest in the nation. Prior to the passing of the bill, SB 867, small business owners, who make up 98% of all businesses in the state of Illinois, were being disincentivized from forming LLCs due to the excessive cost to form as a corporation or filing in other states. By lowering LLC filing fees for forming from $500 to $150 and annual report fees to $75 from $250, small entrepreneurs are more likely to launch new businesses, creating new growth opportunities for the state. SB 867 was supported by legislators on both sides of the aisle as well as over 50 trade and business organizations.

"A-FRAME" OR SIDEWALK SIGNS

The SBAC has fought arduously for the legalization of sandwich signs (sometimes referred to as "A-frame signs"). After 7 years, the SBAC's tenacity paid off with a BIG win for the small business community. In June 2021, Aldermen voted to adopt a new policy on sandwich signs - effective March 2022 Chicago businesses can use sandwich signs to drive foot traffic into their stores!

AFrame

OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

Occupational licenses can create unnecessary barriers for Illinois residents looking to start new jobs. Occupational licenses can also create roadblocks for entrepreneurs that would like to start new businesses. House Bill 5576 unanimously passed the Senate and will go to the Governor! This legislation builds on the current licensing review process by collecting important information about the requirements associated with obtaining a license, so they can be more comprehensively reviewed by the General Assembly. This legislation will provide crucial information which can help legislators evaluate occupational licenses and eliminate or modify them when appropriate. Modifying or eliminating overly burdensome or restrictive occupational licenses can support small businesses struggling to hire employees, remove unnecessary or outdated barriers for entrepreneurs, and foster the growth of our economy. We are thankful to our partners at the IJ Clinic on Entrepreneurship for their collaboration. We are grateful to Representative Ammons and Senator Koehler for their leadership in moving this legislation forward.

LIQUOR LICENSING

The Small Business Advocacy Council and various city chambers supported ordinance 02018-7001. The ordinance made conforming changes to the previously enacted state legislation, SB2436, which grants localities the authority to issue exemptions to the 1934 Illinois Liquor Control Law prohibiting restaurants located within a 100 feet of a church, school, hospital and certain other building from serving alcohol to their guests. The ordinance grants authority and sets forth a process for the Local Liquor Control Commissioner to issue a liquor license to the applicant restaurant.  While also leaving an outlet for aldermanic objections. The adoption of the ordinance has made it easier for restaurants and bars to make a profit in areas previously prohibited from serving alcohol.

liquor license

Restrictions, Permits, Fees, ETC.

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Join The SBAC Today

Joining the SBAC will give you the opportunity to immediately get engaged in our organization through the following offerings:

  • Advocacy efforts
  • Policy committees and subcommittees
  • Informational webinars and town halls
  • Networking events
  • And many more!

Do not miss out on your opportunity to work towards improving the small business environment in your community! We look forward to working with you!

WGN News Highlights Policy Change for Vacant Storefronts

By emma@sbacil.org | February 27, 2024

Help Us Reduce Vacancies in Local Communities! SBAC INSIGHTS PAGE WGN News Highlights Policy Change for Vacant Storefronts Vacant storefronts litter neighborhood business districts in disinvested communities, causing blight, impacting safety, and depressing economic activity. Because of the negative impact of vacant properties in neighborhoods across the city, a robust coalition of chambers and place-based…

Proposed Updates to Chicago’s Retailer and Food Vendor Rules

By natalia.borowska | February 19, 2024

Visit the BACP website SBAC INSIGHTS PAGE Proposed Updates to Chicago’s Retailer and Food Vendor Rules The Department of Business and Consumer Affairs (BACP) has published proposed updates to the City of Chicago’s Retailer Rules. The Department has also introduced certain rules for food vendors.   BACP is accepting public comments until February 26, 2024,…

The Debate Over The Chicago Real Estate Transfer Tax

By emma@sbacil.org | February 5, 2024

Download pdf here SBAC INSIGHTS PAGE Register for the SBAC Informational Webinar: The Chicago Real Estate Transfer Tax HERE. The Debate Over The Chicago Real Estate Transfer Tax Chicago is a tremendous city with a proud tradition. Our great city, however, faces multiple challenges, including persistent economic headwinds and an increase in homelessness. Economic development…

Support Chicago Small Businesses By Reducing Red Tape

By natalia.borowska | January 31, 2024

Download pdf here SBAC INSIGHTS PAGE SUPPORT CHICAGO SMALL BUSINESSES BY REDUCING RED TAPE Policymakers can support small businesses and revitalize neighborhood business districts by cutting red tape, streamlining processes, and reducing the costs of launching and expanding Chicago businesses. This is a crucial time to break down barriers that cause unnecessary hardships for local businesses…

Small Business Grants in Illinois

By patti@sbacil.org | January 30, 2024

Financial Growth Opportunities Running a business is hard and small business owners often do not have time to navigate grants, tax credits, and other funding opportunities. We are excited to help. While we cannot cover everything, we will do our best to keep you current on economic incentives that may be available for your business…

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