Small business owners should not feel like bystanders

I recently had breakfast with the owner of an iconic Chicago restaurant. We discussed how political chaos, economic upheavals and challenging policies can flood the zone and overwhelm busy small business owners.

With limited time and resources to engage in the legislative and political process, small business owners and advocates can feel like bystanders unable to influence the policies that impact them.

The small business community, however, has the critical mass to have a huge voice. Small business owners and advocates have robust networks and, together, can move public policy in a positive direction.

Springfield Sprint

This legislative session will conclude in May. These last weeks will be hectic and include long days and late nights for legislators. Budget negotiations have commenced and will likely continue until the last hour or the last day of session. The small business community has the chance to be heard by reaching out to legislators and their offices now.

With all the bills and priorities being considered in Springfield, we encourage small business advocates to reach out to their state legislators and ask them to champion legislation that will provide small businesses greater access to tax incentives.

The Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit has nearly 60 combined bipartisan cosponsors. While most tax incentives are reserved for large corporations, this bill will provide a $2,500 tax credit for small businesses that hire net new employees. Reinstating this popular tax credit will support small businesses creating jobs and help supplement the workforce. The data also shows this tax credit will prove revenue positive for the state. This legislation can help small businesses impacted by rising costs hire new employees and grow our economy.

Another bill that constituents should ensure is on the radar of legislators is Senate Bill 3619, which was highlighted in last month’s column. This bill also has bipartisan support and will provide a tax credit for small businesses that are unable to afford group health insurance but want to provide a fixed sum to their employees to purchase health insurance. The Illinois Senate should also pass legislation that will improve the prospects for small businesses seeking to procure state government contracts and provide that state contractors are paid more promptly for their work. Both of these bills passed the Illinois House and should advance through the Senate.

Shaping the rules

Our state is consistently proposing new rules and regulations that will impact the small business community. The SBAC has worked to bring more information about these rules and regulations to small business owners and advocates, so they can get engaged when needed.

For instance, Illinois is proposing a new rule regulating businesses’ use of artificial intelligence when making hiring and employment decisions. Business owners may have differing views on the use of AI but should take advantage of the ability to comment on these proposed rules. We highlight certain proposed rules and regulations on our website, so small business owners and advocates have more information to make comments or pose questions to state policymakers before they are enacted.

I have been so inspired by the small business owners and advocates that travel to Springfield, join policy meetings, and otherwise engage with their legislators to support the small business community. While small business owners may sometimes feel they are on an island, together a galvanized and unified small business community has the strength to advance policies that will support small businesses, create jobs and foster economic development across our state.

• Elliot Richardson is president and co-founder of the Small Business Advocacy Council.