Stop Stacking Costs on Illinois Small Businesses

Illinois is home to more than 1.2 million small businesses. Small businesses create jobs, serve their communities, and drive economic growth across the state. To keep that momentum going, Illinois must foster a business and legal climate where a small business can continue to succeed.

Lawsuit abuse has become a major driver of the rising cost of doing business in Illinois. As owner of my new business, American General Storage and part of my family’s 60-year-old manufacturing company, Stanley Machining & Tool, I’ve seen firsthand the many obstacles that can jeopardize a company’s growth. Success becomes harder to sustain as lawmakers continue to add new costs and legal risks onto small business owners.

Last year, Gov. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 328 into law, which now opens Illinois courts to hear cases with out-of-state plaintiffs and defendants. From policies like this one that expose Illinois businesses to more lawsuits, to higher taxes and rising costs, small-business owners are being asked to absorb one added expense after another. Even worse, recent workers’ compensation legislation threatens to add yet another layer of litigation risk for employers. For small businesses, these costs add up very quickly.

Illinois lawmakers should give small businesses a fair chance to invest, grow, and support their communities. That starts with addressing lawsuit abuse, which is rising costs and making it harder to do business in Illinois.

Karen Trzaska, Barrington