Federal Assistance Approved H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act passed the Senate and President Trump signed it into law yesterday (March 18th). This bill provides, among other things, provisions to address Paid Sick Leave, Paid Family and Medical Leave, and Unemployment Insurance for displaced workers. In addition, it contains provisions for diagnostic testing for Coronavirus andContinue reading
Federal Assistance for Small Business & Not-For-Profits The Small Business Administration has authorized low-interest disaster loans for small businesses and non-profits (excludes religious organizations). You are eligible for up to two million dollars for working capital (which includes fixed debt, payroll, etc.) at an interest rate of 3.75% for businesses and 2.75% for non-profit agencies. Continue reading
Over the last year working in my role of government affairs at the Chamber, I have been involved in a number of methods of impacting policy at the local, state and federal level. Our advocacy has indeed taken several forms: We have supported the U.S. Chamber’s efforts to lobby congress for much-needed infrastructure funding by signing on asContinue reading
The 101st Illinois Legislative Session is underway. Governor Pritzker recently delivered his State of the State address and we were listening. Key issues he called for in the upcoming legislative session impacting the business community include: diversity and inclusion in hiring practices, clean energy legislation, and support of local government efforts to reduce property taxes and increase government consolidation. All ideas we haveContinue reading
Indulge me while I boast a bit about the NACC’s investment in advocacy for our Members. Our staff works in concert with an engaged Business Works Committee (formerly Legislative Committee) who carefully examine key legislation on our radar and create action plans to influence policy to support business growth for our Members. One example, a key pieceContinue reading
The United States, Mexico, and Canada are close to reaching an agreement to rebalance and modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into a 21st century, high-standard trade deal. The goal is for the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to better serve the interests of American workers and businesses and support mutually beneficial trade leading toContinue reading
Indulge me a bit more as I continue my discussion from the last issue of The Current on the great Energy/Climate/Sustainability initiatives in which our Chamber Members are leading the way.Last week, BP announced a $25M investment in Illinois at their R&D hub in… Naperville! They will be piloting an enhanced recycling technology that enables currently un-recyclable plasticContinue reading
A recent high point for me was being appointed to serve on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Task Force on Climate Actions. The Goals of this initiative are to: Gain an understanding of the implications and issues associated with carbon pricing and other potential climate actions Learn how carbon pricing policies outside of the U.S.Continue reading
In a surprise Memorial Day Illinois House of Representatives debate and vote, the Graduated Income Tax legislation SJRCA 1 passed. Now, voters get to decide in November if they want to change Illinois Constitutional amendment to allow income tax to be graduated based on the income. The companion bill (SB 687) provides language that would set the specificContinue reading
Reading a recent U. S. Chamber article about the impact of local businesses on the big comeback of Detroit, host city of the national Democratic Debate last week, I was reminded once again how business success means major wins for their local communities. From General Motors compost collection program to cultivate urban gardens throughout theContinue reading
