Chicago Kilwins owner named small businessperson of the year

By Dylan Sharkey

05/08/2024

Jackie Jackson has repeatedly helped people understand what it means to be an entrepreneur in Chicago, from crime to the pandemic to taxes. But being able to create jobs keeps her going and is why she was named businessperson of the year.

TAGS: small business

Report: 40% of Illinois small businesses behind on November rent

By Patrick Andriesen

12/01/2022

A new survey found Illinois reported the third-highest increase in small business rent delinquency nationwide during November, with 40% of respondents unable to pay rent on time or in full.

TAGS: small business

Small businesses led Illinois’ COVID-19 jobs recovery

By Bryce Hill

11/23/2022

Small Business Saturday offers a reason to be extra thankful: businesses with fewer than 20 employees were the only ones to grow payrolls since COVID-19 hit.

TAGS: COVID-19, small business

Illinois ranks No. 2 in nation for small business layoffs

By Patrick Andriesen

09/12/2022

Illinois ranked No. 2 in the nation for number of small businesses planning to lay off employees in the coming months. A majority of entrepreneurs have already put a freeze on new hires. Amendment 1 threatens Illinois’ business climate even more.

TAGS: small business

Illinois small business owners brace for higher taxes under Amendment 1

By Dylan Sharkey

08/09/2022

New business taxes added by the Pritzker administration plus Illinois’ high property taxes are making it hard for a Chicago-area bar owner to stay in business. Now a government union push for more property taxes is creating a new threat.

TAGS: Amendment 1, Illinois, small business, taxes

Illinois slices into family deli’s bottom line

07/25/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker added $650 million in taxes and fee hikes for small businesses in his last budget. Voters will decide Nov. 8 if Illinois’ business climate will get tougher, yet, through Amendment 1.

TAGS: Illinois, inflation, small business, tax burden

Oak Lawn may boost businesses by waiving $600,000 in licensing fees

By Dylan Sharkey

06/27/2022

A tough economy and an Illinois Policy Institute report has Oak Lawn considering waiving business license renewal fees for a year. Giving up $600,000 in fees is expected to attract new businesses and help older ones.

TAGS: licensing fees, Oak Lawn, small business

Illinois last in nation for growth in businesses that create jobs

By Bryce Hill

02/28/2022

Lots of businesses tried to get started during 2021 in Illinois, but the ones that create jobs had a tough time launching. That’s why Illinois unemployment remains high and salaries depressed during a national labor shortage.

TAGS: Illinois, job creation, small business

Illinois 3rd-most regulated state in U.S.

By Bryce Hill, Jim Royal

02/09/2022

Illinois has the nation’s third-highest number of state regulations and double the U.S. average. Regulations make life hard for Illinois’ small businesses, where most Illinois jobs are created.

TAGS: employment, Illinois, regulations, small business

Illinois gains small businesses, but restaurants still slow to rebound

11/24/2021

This Small Business Saturday, Illinois has more entrepreneurs than before the COVID-19 pandemic. But the recovery has been uneven as some types of small businesses struggle and many jobs are missing as Illinois lags the national rebound.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, small business

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

Illinois finds itself at a crossroads: will it empower minorities and poor people to unleash their potential, or will it perpetuate an inequitable status quo? For far too many Illinoisans, opportunity is unfairly and unnecessarily out of reach. Illinois ranks in the bottom ten among all states in social mobility and last among Midwest states...

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Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

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Martin Sahagun

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students