WESTERN SPRINGS – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is highlighting the new employee safety measures for businesses that will reopen under the modified Stay at Home Order.
“Protecting the health of employees and customers is paramount as we begin to reopen the economy,” Glowiak Hilton said. “These guidelines clearly lay out what steps employers should take to keep everyone safe and healthy.”
Aurora, Ill. – State Senator Linda Holmes joined Gov. JB Pritzker and local officials in Aurora Thursday to launch the 605 Innovation District and bring greater business and technology development to the city. Holmes released the following statement to recognize the investment in technology and jobs for Aurora:
“Gov. Pritzker is such a champion of innovation and I welcome him to Aurora to recognize the great opportunity that Bureau Gravity is bringing here. This has been Jimi Allen’s dream for years, we spoke of it often when we were office neighbors. I’m honored to be here to celebrate his awesome achievement.
SPRINGFIELD – To push for greater fairness and diversity in contract work, Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) proposed new legislation setting goals for larger municipalities to include minority-owned businesses.
“We need to ensure that minority-owned businesses are not being passed over as these municipalities continue to hand out millions of dollars in taxpayer money, and a good place to start is setting contracting goals,” Harris said.
The legislation would set goals for cities which receive more than $1 million in state motor fuel taxes to hire more minority-owned and -operated businesses when awarding contracts. The measure is an effort to include more minority, veteran and woman-owned businesses in local government contracting.
SPRINGFIELD—Businesses along Illinois’ borders will be able to better take advantage of state resources thanks to legislation that passed the Senate today.
State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) is the sponsor of Senate Bill 3285, which aims to help businesses located in Illinois identify existing and often underused state resources.
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator James F. Clayborne (D-Belleville) passed a measure through the Illinois Senate Wednesday which aims to increase the number of minority-owned, female-owned and veteran-owned enterprises Illinois companies contract with.
The measure, Senate Bill 262, would require Illinois companies to submit a report outlining their procurement goals and highlighting minority ownership of businesses they contract with.
“This measure is about ensuring corporations do not continue to overlook minority-owned businesses,” Clayborne said. “I want to ensure that companies are investing back into the communities they provide service. If a company is supplying services in a community like East Saint Louis, they should do everything they can to contract with businesses in that community.
“It is also important that these companies show every best effort to diversify who they contract with. I want to make sure minority-, female- and veteran-owned businesses have a fair chance in this business climate.”
If companies fail to report their efforts showing their diversity goals to the Illinois Commerce Commission and the Business Enterprise Council, they would be barred from bidding on state contracts for one year.
The legislation passed the Senate Wednesday and now goes to the House for consideration.
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois low-income entrepreneurs and small businesses may soon find relief from high fees, thanks to Villa Park Democrat State Senator Tom Cullerton.
Cullerton passed Senate Bill 867 to lower the cost to create a Limited Liability Company to $39 from $500.
“It should be easier for entrepreneurs to start and maintain their businesses,” Cullerton said. “Small businesses drive our economy. It’s important we give them an opportunity to thrive and be successful.”
SPRINGFIELD – A bipartisan measure to help first-time business owners in Illinois was approved by the Illinois Senate today. The entrepreneur learner’s permit program was introduced by State Sen. Linda Holmes, a Democrat from Aurora.
“There has been a lot of talk about making Illinois more business friendly, but not enough action,” Holmes said. “This legislation encourages first-time small business owners to set up in Illinois by giving them incentives. It is important that we as lawmakers do whatever we can to strengthen Illinois’ economy in real and tangible ways.”
The entrepreneur learner’s permit would encourage small business growth by reimbursing first-time business owners for certain costs paid to the state for licensing and permits. The Illinois legislation creates a pilot version of a similar program established by the Connecticut State Legislature in July of 2016.
The measure, Senate Bill 1462, has been approved by the Illinois Senate and now moves to the House of Representatives.
State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for a project that will bring businesses and jobs to Shorewood.
The plan, which Bertino-Tarrant pushed for, will allow for land at the northwest corner of the intersection of Routes 59 and 52 in Shorewood to be redeveloped.
“More businesses and jobs will be coming to Shorewood,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “This initiative is good for the community, and I look forward to continuing to support projects that will enhance economic development throughout my district.”
Businesses will find it easier to operate in Illinois under legislation sponsored by Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) that was signed into law Thursday.
House Bill 4361 is a broad, comprehensive modernization of Illinois’ Limited Liability Company Act, which last was rewritten in 1994. The law had been updated in a piecemeal fashion since then, but it was due for a sweeping update.
The measure, which had bipartisan support in the legislature, is another effort to make Illinois a more business friendly state.
“This update to Illinois’ LLC Act not only modernizes some of our laws, it also eliminates unclear or contradictory rules that can be frustrating for companies to navigate,” Harmon said. “It makes our laws more consistent with those of other states and enables Illinois to be a more attractive and inviting place for businesses to set up shop.”
The legislation was the result of a six-year project by the Institute of Illinois Business Law to update the state’s LLC Act. The project was prompted by the 2006 publication of the Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws.
Joliet attorney Michael Hansen is past chairman of the Institute of Illinois Business Law, a group of about 40 corporate lawyers in Illinois who oversee the state’s business and corporate laws.
“Limited liability companies are now the favored business entity,” he said. “The changes to the Act will mean the formation in Illinois of more LLCs, while still providing necessary protections to the members of the LLC.”
Representatives Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook) and Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) sponsored the measure in the Illinois House.
SPRINGFIELD— Legislation that would help veterans become business owners was passed out of the Illinois Senate Thursday.
The measure, Senate Bill 324, would create a program at the Illinois Finance Authority that would allow veterans to apply and receive a business loan. The program would be similar to agribusiness and farming programs administered by the state treasurer.
State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton), who is the chief co-sponsor of the measure, said that this initiative would help veterans to receive start-up capital they need to start their own businesses.
“This legislation would create a great program to help those who have served our country. There are so many veterans out there who face adversity when they return from service,” Haine said. “These are people who have great leadership skills, yet lack the resources to funnel those skills into a career that works for them. This measure would provide that avenue. I am happy to be a sponsor of this initiative, and I am happy be able to give back to the veteran community.”
Today, less than 7 percent of returning veterans own their own businesses.
Nearly 550 service members transition from military to civilian life each day, and an estimated 1 million veterans will settle into communities across our country within the next three to five years. This plan would help veterans readjust.
The measure was introduced by Senator Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood). It passed the Senate on Thursday and will now go to the House for consideration.
SPRINGFIELD— Legislation that would help veterans become business owners was passed out of the Illinois Senate today by State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood).
“There are many veterans who heroically serve our nation, gain valuable leadership and management skills yet can have a hard time starting a new career when they come home,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “My plan would help our veterans get the start-up capital they need to start their own businesses and create jobs for others.”
Bertino-Tarrant is working on her proposal with Lynn Lowder, a former Marine officer and advocate for veterans becoming small-business owners.
“In the nine years following World War II, 50 percent of veterans ended up in business for themselves,” Lowder said. “Unfortunately, fewer veterans now are able to start a business. This initiative is the key missing piece that would give our veterans the tools they need to become entrepreneurs.”
Today, less than seven percent of returning veterans own their own businesses.
Nearly 550 service members transition from military to civilian life each day, and an estimated 1 million veterans will settle into communities across our country within the next three to five years.
“When our veterans come home, we need to make sure our veterans have the full support of our state as their service deserves,” Bertino-Tarrant said.
Bertino-Tarrant is sponsoring Senate Bill 324 that would create a program at the Illinois Finance Authority that would allow veterans to apply and receive a business loan. The program would be similar to agribusiness and farming programs administered by the State Treasurer.
Bertino-Tarrant advanced Senate Bill 324 out of the Illinois Senate today. It will now go to the Illinois House for approval.
State Senator Terry Link (D-Waukegan) joined a gathering of more than 100 business professionals and area lawmakers this week. The event, sponsored by the Green Oaks, Libertyville, Mundelein, Vernon Hills (GLMV) Chamber of Commerce, was an opportunity for an open dialogue on legislation aimed to improve the business environment in Illinois.
“Working side-by-side with the business community to keep a healthy economy and employment opportunities is one of my top priorities,” said Link. “I look forward to continuing to work with these entrepreneurial leaders to promote a thriving Illinois."
Sen. Link joined U.S. congressman Robert Dold and State Representatives Carol Sente and Ed Sullivan Jr. at the annual breakfast event.
JOLIET — State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Plainfield) partnered with the Illinois Department of Employment Security to hold a successful hiring fair this week.
“Job fairs are important for connecting employers with community members who are looking for work,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “I enjoyed meeting those who attended, and I look forward to having future events that will help people obtain employment.”
More than 50 people showed up to meet with representatives from participating businesses. The first hour of the hiring fair catered specifically to veterans.
“Our veterans have loyally served our nation, and I’m committed to doing what I can to make sure they’re employed,” Bertino-Tarrant said.
Details on Bertino-Tarrant’s upcoming events are on her website.