2025 Small Business Legislative Priorities Presented by the Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC)

To read the SBAC Agenda 2025 PDF, please click here.??

TL;DR:

Illinois small businesses face high taxes, regulatory burdens, and limited access to state incentives. The SBAC is advocating for legislation to ease these challenges, including tax credits for job creation and property relief, reducing red tape, expanding business opportunities, and making government contracting more accessible.

Key Legislative Priorities

1. Small Business Tax Relief & Job Growth

• Small Business Job Creation Act (HB1819 / SB1505) – Reinstates a $2,500 tax credit for small businesses (under 50 employees) that hire new staff.
• Property Tax Relief (SB0146 / HB1361) – Grants a tax credit of up to $1,500 for small businesses that own their commercial space.

2. Access to Economic Incentives & Contracts

• Small Business Economic Incentive Act (HB1372 / SB2005) – Ensures 50% of state economic incentives go to businesses with 50 or fewer employees.
• Government Contracting Reform (HB3655 / SB2198) – Reserves 30% of state contracts under $15 million for small businesses, streamlines the bidding process, and creates financing options.

3. Supporting Entrepreneurship & Workforce Development

• Self-Employment Assistance (HB3126 / SB1979) – Allows unemployed individuals to receive benefits while starting a business, similar to programs in NY and OR.
• Apprenticeship Act (HB3460) – Provides alternative licensing paths for barbering, cosmetology, and related trades through hands-on training instead of costly schooling.
• Occupational Licensing Reform (HB3651 / SB2402) – Pauses new licensing requirements until economic impact studies are completed to prevent unnecessary burdens on small businesses.

4. Reducing Regulatory Barriers

• Regulatory Flexibility Act – Ensures state agencies analyze how new regulations impact small businesses before implementing them.

Why It Matters: These reforms will help Illinois small businesses thrive by lowering costs, creating more opportunities, and removing unnecessary hurdles.

?? Questions? Contact SBAC at [email protected] or visit www.sbacil.org.