2027 Advocacy Agenda

Our Small Business Advocacy Agenda

Q: How Can We Make Health Insurance More Affordable for Small Businesses?

The SBAC is pursuing two bipartisan reforms: expanding access to Association Health Plans (AHPs), which let small businesses purchase coverage cooperatively, giving them the same economies of scale as larger businesses; and creating a state tax credit to encourage small businesses to offer Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), which reimburse employees for health insurance premiums and medical expenses.

We champion the interests of small businesses in Washington, Springfield, and Chicago through nonpartisan advocacy and grassroots engagement.

Start with health insurance Join Our Community

Leader Robyn Gabel with Small Business Advocacy Council members at an Illinois Powerful Women event

Jump to one of our focus areas

Our goal is to achieve a world where every small business has the opportunity to succeed.

Since 2010, the Small Business Advocacy Council has pushed for common-sense policies that strengthen small businesses across Illinois. Our advocacy focuses on four areas: reducing health insurance costs, cutting unnecessary red tape, encouraging local ownership, and leveling the playing field for small business owners. Learn more about each issue area below and follow our advocacy agenda on Substack.

Reducing Health Insurance Costs

Why Is Health Insurance So Expensive for Small Businesses Right Now?

Health insurance premiums are rising rapidly for small businesses, driven largely by the underlying cost of medical care and prescription drugs. Average small group annual premiums were $7,300 per enrollee in 2024, and small group market premiums are set to increase by another 14% on average in 2027. Insurers predict that underlying medical costs will rise by nearly 11%.

$7,300average small group premium per enrollee, 2024

14%expected average small group premium increase in 2027

11%predicted rise in underlying medical costs

How Many Small Businesses Offer Health Insurance in Illinois?

35.5%

Just 35.5% of Illinois businesses with fewer than 50 employees offered small-group health coverage to their workforce in 2025.

How Can We Make Health Insurance More Affordable for Small Businesses?

The SBAC is pursuing two bipartisan reforms:

Expanding access to Association Health Plans (AHPs), which let small businesses purchase coverage cooperatively, giving them the same economies of scale as larger businesses.

Creating a state tax credit to encourage small businesses to offer Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), which reimburse employees for health insurance premiums and medical expenses.

Cutting Unnecessary Red Tape

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Encouraging Local Ownership

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Leveling the Playing Field

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Why health insurance is the first thing on our advocacy agenda

35.5%of Illinois businesses with fewer than 50 employees offered small-group health coverage in 2025.

$7,300average small group annual premium per enrollee in 2024.

14%expected average increase in small group market premiums in 2027.

Reducing Health Insurance Costs

Health insurance costs are a major challenge for small businesses and their employees. We are pursuing reforms that make it easier for small businesses to offer affordable healthcare coverage.

Read the full Health Insurance Agenda

Small Business Health Pool Act

This bill will allow eligible businesses and self-employed individuals to join together and access healthcare coverage through a Small Business Health Pool (SBHP).

Download the one-pager (PDF)

Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credit

This legislation will reward small businesses that offer HRAs to their employees. Small businesses use HRAs to provide their employees with the money to purchase health insurance, creating cost predictability and reducing administrative burden.

Read the full summary

Cutting Unnecessary Red Tape

A buildup of unnecessary regulations and bureaucratic hurdles has made it harder for small businesses to open their doors and grow. We are working to eliminate red tape at the state and local levels.

Chicago Small Business Bill of Rights

Read the Bill of Rights

Debt Check Reform

Encouraging Local Ownership

Local ownership keeps wealth in communities and strengthens neighborhoods. We are asking the state to increase its investment in employee ownership and in shared ownership of commercial property.

Coming soon

Leveling the Playing Field

Small businesses deserve a fair shot to succeed. We are fighting to give small businesses access to affordable capital and meaningful opportunities to compete for public dollars.