State's taxes, regulations suffocate small businesses
Illinois is taking an unsettling direction with small business policies. I worry about the future my funeral home and other local businesses will face if nothing changes.
My family has run a funeral home in Lake County for over 50 years. In that time, we've come to intimately understand the rich tapestry of lives and experiences that make our community a wonderful place to live and grow a family.
But that tranquility is being disrupted by policymaking in Springfield, which makes operating even the most simple businesses a monumental challenge.
Our family business, like countless others, is feeling the pinch.
Rising costs, fueled by escalating taxes and ever-tightening regulations, make the entrepreneurial journey increasingly treacherous. The growing financial strain risks collapsing the road to financial stability that has kept families like ours in Illinois for generations.
The layers of expenses, be it from taxes or regulatory impositions, make it nearly impossible for businesses to flourish. We find ourselves at a crossroads, reassessing our viability relative to neighboring states and on the broader national canvas. Witnessing our representatives make decisions that add to our challenges is disheartening.
Why impose such burdens - particularly on small family-operated ventures? Beyond offering services, we're the torchbearers of traditions, the upholders of community ethos, and a crucial link in the chain of the local economic armor. Hampering our growth weakens the foundation of our communities.
Our 50 years of service are a testament to our unwavering commitment to our community and Illinois. But how sustainable is this commitment amid the shifting sands of Springfield's policies?
Our lawmakers must understand the simple truth: Remember the heartbeats of businesses like ours when you gather. Reflect on the families, the histories, and the neighborhoods that bank on us. We're not mere entries in a ledger; we are Illinois' pulse.
Mark Symonds Sr.
Highland Park