Engaged small business community can revive Illinois' economy

The small business community is comprised of driven and motivated individuals. Indeed, small business owners and their employees work tirelessly to sustain and grow their companies.

The long hours associated with operating a small business can understandably limit the ability of small business owners to get involved in politics. In Illinois however, having a politically engaged small business community has never been more important.

Illinois' politicians remain engaged in an unprecedented and destructive political stalemate that is harming small businesses, local communities, nonprofits, college students and many others. This inaction in Springfield is causing profound damage to our economy and eroding the already shaky confidence business owners have in our state government. Illinois' political leaders seem unable to solve the problems plaguing the economy. They can no longer be relied on to preserve a stable economic climate.

The small business community must come together, fight to end the budget impasse and push politicians to enact policies that will revive our economy. This is how we can get it done:

Nonpartisan advocacy

Illinois' politicians are operating in constant campaign mode and under the close scrutiny of their party leaders. While hyperbole runs rampant in the capital, common-sense seems to have disappeared. Entrepreneurs, their employees and folks who rely on small businesses can have an immediate impact by engaging in zealous nonpartisan advocacy. That includes demanding politicians work across the aisle to pass a responsible budget and make reforms that will revive the economy. It also includes holding politicians accountable for playing chicken with our state's economy.

No legislator responsible for the budget impasse or the state's troubled economy should be given a pass by business owners because they share the same political affiliation. Rather, those who own or rely on a small business must unite and push politicians to put our state before partisan politics. A united and focused small business community can be a powerful force and compel politicians to take actions to improve our state's fiscal health.

Substantive proposals

The small business community must offer substantive proposals to politicians and demand they strongly and publicly support them. At this point, it seems initiatives must be provided to legislators with instructions from their constituents to move them forward.

For example, Governor Rauner is committed to enacting workers' compensation reform as part of any deal paving the way toward passing a responsible budget. However, Democrats and Republicans have staked out extremely partisan positions on the issue and been unwilling to consider alternatives. There are common-sense proposals that have been presented to legislators that should reduce costs while protecting the rights of injured workers. Local politicians must be pushed to embrace them.

The small business community has provided substantive proposals on issues from term limits to pension reform. By publicly calling for politicians to act on these initiatives, the small business community can change the tone in Springfield and help enact legislation that will improve the economy.

Small businesses touch communities and families throughout our state. By coming together, forming coalitions and speaking with a strong voice, business owners and those who rely on small businesses have the power to influence politics and policy.

There are many ways to get engaged such as writing and calling legislators. People can also head to the capital and visit legislators in their offices to have an even greater impact. Writing editorials is a great way to influence policymakers and highlight an issue. Individuals can engage in grass roots and targeted social media campaigns, identifying legislators who are working to improve the state's economy, and those who are not.

Illinois needs the small business community's critical mass and engagement to end the state's destructive budget impasse and help enact policies to improve our economy. Our state's economy is depending on it.

• Elliot Richardson is the CEO of the Small Business Advocacy Council.