'Stacked costs' crippling businesses

Navigating the business landscape in Illinois, an uphill battle in the best of times, is becoming unscalable thanks to the pervasive challenge of stacked costs on enterprises across the state.

As the owner of Timber Ridge Landscaping in Addison, I am intimately aware of the rising costs that are hindering the growth and sustainability of small businesses. Stacked costs manifest in various forms, challenging every facet of our operations.

The surge in material costs, fueled by inflation and supply chain disruptions, has elevated our expenditures. From the prices of plants and mulch to essential equipment and fuel, every component of our services has increased in costs. Regulatory compliance costs add to the financial strain, demanding considerable time and resources.

Navigating the intricate web of government regulations translates to an incessant stream of paperwork and escalating expenses with each new law. The upward trajectory of labor costs further compounds our challenges.

In a fiercely competitive market, recruiting skilled labor necessitates offering higher wages and investing in training programs. While we are committed to providing equitable compensation and favorable working conditions, these essential expenses inevitably exacerbate the strain on our budget.

Small enterprises like Timber Ridge Landscaping find themselves increasingly priced out of the market, fostering a ripple effect that detrimentally impacts communities and places immense pressure on hard-working small business owners in Illinois.

I urge our lawmakers in Springfield to consider the repercussions of their decisions on small businesses. We urgently need policies that bolster our endeavors rather than impede them. This entails a concerted effort to reduce superfluous regulations, provide essential tax relief, and extend meaningful support to small businesses.

By fostering a more conducive environment, we can pave the way for the prosperity of businesses like mine and contribute to the overall economic well-being of our communities.

Mark Casazza

Addison