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Regulatory Sunset Act Amendment to Help Local Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Regulatory Sunset Act Amendment to Help Local Businesses and Entrepreneurs We did it!  Legislation amending the Regulatory Sunset Act passed the Senate unanimously! This bill lowers barriers for licensed applicants while still addressing genuine public safety concerns.  After passing in the House – it now moves on to the Governor.  Click here to read more about…

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You’re Invited to The Rebound!

You’re Invited to The Rebound! The SBAC and A Safe Haven are thrilled to invite you for a LIVE and IN-PERSON evening you won’t forget! It will be our first big live event of the year, and with the mask mandate now lifted, we hope to see many of you face-to-face once again.   Join…

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Back to Business Grants Action Call

Back to Business Grants Action Call Illinois Policymakers Should Support Small Businesses The pandemic and COVID-19 mitigations began inflicting immense damage to small businesses in March 2020.  Thousands of small businesses initially applied for Illinois Business Interruption Grants.  While these grants helped some small businesses, approximately 80% of applicants were not awarded a grant. Illinois…

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Legalization of Sandwich Signs to Help Local Businesses

Legalization of Sandwich Signs to Help Local Businesses After persistent support from the SBAC to legalize sandwich signs, in June 2021, Chicago Alderman voted to adopt a new policy on sandwich signs, which will go into effect NEXT WEEK. On March 1, 2022, Chicago small businesses can officially use “A-frame” or sandwich signs on the…

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OpEd: Crains Chicago Business

OpEd: Crains Chicago Business February 08, 2022 11:34 AM A Labor Shortage Creates an Opportunity to Help the Homeless Illinois politicians should engage those leading the fight against homelessness and also engage small-business advocates to explore how to prepare homeless individuals for a return to the workforce. ​​​​​​​ NELI VAZQUEZ ROWLAND ELLIOT RICHARDSON Read the…

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SBAC Business Buzz – January 2022

SBAC Business Buzz – January 2022 SBAC Business Buzz – January 2022 Welcome to the inaugural episode of our new video series, SBAC Business Buzz, featuring Elliot Richardson’s update on SBAC initiatives impacting the Illinois small business community. Today’s 3-minute recap focuses on Back to Business Grants, Workforce, Occupational Insights Archive Insights Archive Select Month…

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Press Release: Illinois Legislative Leaders Support a Small Business Agenda

Press Release: Illinois Legislative Leaders Support a Small Business Agenda JANUARY 18, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Patti Zikmund // 773-459-3301 // patti@sbacil.org The Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC), and a coalition of 50 state-wide business organizations, is working with Illinois political leadership on multiple pieces of legislation supporting small business for the upcoming…

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The RISE Grant Program

The RISE Grant Program 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…

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Childcare Tax Credit

Childcare Tax Credit One issue that has lead many to put off re-entering the workforce from the pandemic fallout is the cost and difficulty in terms of finding affordable and quality childcare. The SBAC has determined it is such a significant issue that it has been added to our agenda for the 2022 Spring Session.…

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Byline Bank Recognizes Small Business Saturday with Small Business Advocacy Council Contribution

Byline Bank Recognizes Small Business Saturday with Small Business Advocacy Council Contribution CHICAGO, IL (November 2021) – This Small Business Saturday, November 27, Byline Bank, Illinois’ top Small Business Administration lender, is recognizing the work of the Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) of Illinois with a $5,000 sponsorship contribution. The SBAC is a nonpartisan member-driven…

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