Posts Tagged ‘advocacy’
Let’s Transform Vacant Properties Into Thriving Small Businesses
Let’s Transform Vacant Properties Into Thriving Small Businesses Fact Sheet in Spanish Fact Sheet in Polish Fact Sheet in Arabic Fact Sheet in Vietnamese Fact Sheet in Chinese Fact Sheet in Cantonese Reduce Vacancies in Local Communities Fact Sheet Navigate Action Calls Advocacy CCRC Empower Events Information Lawyers Corner Member Communities Member Relations Premier Advocates…
Read MoreWords from Our Partners: Woodlawn Chamber of Commerce
Words from Our Partners: Woodlawn Chamber of Commerce The Small Business Advocacy Council and a coalition of engaged stakeholders have come together to revitalize, empower, and connect commercial corridors in Cook County in an effort to bring our community. In the Words from Our Partners Series, our coalition partners share their thoughts on our efforts…
Read MoreSBAC Advocacy Update: Health Insurance, Government Contracts & Outdoor Dining
SBAC Advocacy Update: Health Insurance, Government Contracts & Outdoor Dining Illinois legislators concluded their regular session. We are excited to report there were some big wins for the small business community! Health Insurance Many small businesses are struggling to afford the cost of health insurance. The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation focused on protecting small…
Read MoreCity Council Expands Outdoor Dining in Chicago!
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…
Read MoreSupport Outdoor Dining in Chicago
Support Outdoor Dining in Chicago Download the Outdoor Dining FACT SHEET Prompt Action Needed to Support Outdoor Dining in Chicago Chicago’s neighborhood restaurants suffered greatly during the pandemic. When people were unable to gather indoors at restaurants, outdoor dining became the viable alternative. Chicago policymakers took action to provide restaurants with more flexibility and to…
Read MoreSmall Business Mayoral Forum Recap
Small Business Mayoral Forum Recap The Small Business Advocacy Council and a robust number of chambers and organizations hosted a small business mayoral forum. This was a lively discussion about each candidate’s visions for supporting small businesses and neighborhood business districts. We want to thank all of the local chambers of commerce that partnered with…
Read MoreSBAC Women in Business: Roundtable on Small Businesses and Child Care
SBAC Women in Business: Roundtable on Small Businesses and Child Care The SBAC Women in Business hosted a virtual roundtable with Chairman Edgar Gonzalez Jr. to discuss accessibility to affordable child care and small businesses. It was an insightful conversation and we sincerely thank Chairman Gonzalez for taking the time out of his busy schedule…
Read MoreChildcare Tax Credit
Childcare Tax Credit Authors: Minna Pomeroy, Leverage People Leslee Cohen, All Rise Legal Counsel Employers across our state are struggling to find enough employees to support their businesses. Indeed, some businesses have been forced to scale back their operations because of a lack of employees in the workforce. The Small Business Advocacy Council is championing…
Read MoreBack 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…
Read MoreLegalization 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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