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Proposed Rules Open for Public Comment
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Proposed Rules Open For Comment
 The following rules have been proposed by State of Illinois agencies and are open for public comment. To see a comprehensive list of rules which could impact small businesses, visit
www.ildceo.net/regalert. You can learn about rules and submit comments regarding their impact by clicking on "
submit comments".
The Department of Revenue
proposed amendments which will impact businesses and individuals who operate vehicles or watercraft on public roads or waterways. To learn more about these potential changes or to submit comments,
click here. This rule is open for public comment until 10/21/19.
The Illinois Gaming Board proposed amendments which will impact independent gaming equipment testing labs and gaming equipment manufacturers. To learn more about these changes or to submit comments,
click here
.
This rule is open for public comment until 10/21/19.
The Elevator Safety Board proposed amendments which will impact businesses with elevators and other regulated conveyances, and municipalities that inspect regulated conveyances.
To learn more about these changes or to submit comments,
click here
.
This rule is open for public comment until 10/21/19.
The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation proposed amendments which will impact certified public accountants and accounting firms. To learn more about these changes or to submit comments, click here. This rule is open for public comment until 11/4/19.
The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
proposed amendments
which will impact real estate appraisers. To learn more about these changes or to submit comments, click here. This rule is open for public comment until 11/4/19.
The Department of Children and Family Services proposed amendments which will impact day care homes and centers. To learn more about these changes or to submit comments, click here.
This rule is open for public comment until 11/11/19.
For more information on any of the above proposed rules, contact Katy Khayyat at (217) 558-0190 or email [email protected].
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Illinois Rulemaking Seminar
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You are invited to attend "Rule School - The Basics of the Rulemaking Process in Illinois"
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is hosting an event for anyone interested in learning how administrative rules are made in Illinois. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this
free
seminar for
members of the business community and state employees to learn the different steps in the rulemaking process.
Who Should Attend
This seminar will be beneficial to members of the business community that are responsible for commenting on proposed rules, and who navigate the regulatory process on behalf of their members, as well as state agency personnel who are responsible for drafting, implementing and interpreting rules. It is open to any business or member of the public.
Presentations include:
- Overview of the Illinois Register, explanation of "SOS Indexes of Rulemaking Activity", and the role of the Secretary of State Index Division - Christine Works, Secretary of State Index Division
- Regulatory Flexibility and the Small Business Impact Statement Process - How you Can Get Involved - Katy Khayyat, Office of Regulatory Flexibility, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
- General Rulemaking Information Including:
- General, emergency and peremptory rules
- What to expect during first and second notice period
- What is the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR)?
- Legislative review of rules
- What actions can JCAR members take? (No Objection, Recommendation, Objection, Filing Prohibition) --Lindsay Bentivegna, Policy Staff Attorney at Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice and Kevin Kulavic, Deputy Director at Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules
When/Where
Friday, October 4
th
from 9:00 am - 11:00 am at the Illinois Department of Agriculture, John R. Block Building, State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
Attendance is free, but
registration
is required.
Questions? Contact Katy Khayyat at the Illinois Department of Commerce (217) 558-0190 or email
[email protected]
.
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Illinois Cannabis Program Update
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State Releases Disproportionately Impacted Areas for Cannabis Program's Social Equity Applicants
As the most equity-centric adult use cannabis program in the nation prepares to enter its next phase, the Pritzker Administration is releasing maps that designate which parts of the state qualify as "disproportionately impacted areas" for social equity applicants. More than 2 million Illinoisans live in the 683 Census tracts that make up the disproportionately impacted areas. (
View the map here .)
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity determined the disproportionately impacted areas using criteria established in the new state law. To be designated as a disproportionately impacted area, a Census tract must have high rates of arrest, conviction, and incarceration related to cannabis, among other qualifications including poverty and unemployment.
To qualify as a social equity applicant, the statute requires Illinois residency and one of the following criteria:
A. At least 51% ownership and control by one or more individuals who have resided at least 5 of the preceding 10 years in a disproportionately impacted area;
B. At least 51% ownership and control by one or more individuals [or family member of an individual] who have been arrested for, convicted of, or adjudicated delinquent for an offense that is eligible for cannabis expungement; or
C. Applicants with minimum of 10 full-time employees, at least 51% of employees who:
A. Currently reside in a disproportionately impacted area; or
B. Have been arrested for, convicted of, or adjudicated delinquent for an offense that is eligible for cannabis expungement, or is a member of an impacted family.
Upcoming milestones in the timeline include:
Timeline for Conditional Adult Use Dispensing Organization License:
* The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will post the application on October 1, 2019.
* IDFPR will provide two separate periods for applicants to submit questions to the agency.
* IDFPR will begin accepting applications on December 10, 2019.
* IDFPR will stop accepting applications at noon on January 2, 2020.
* IDFPR will issue up to 75 licenses by May 1, 2020.
Collectively, these efforts demonstrate the administration's commitment to ensuring communities that have been historically impacted by the justice system due to cannabis-related offenses are able to participate in Illinois' legal cannabis industry. Later this year, DCEO will launch a program to provide low-interest loans to qualified social equity applicants. The loans will help applicants cover the expense of starting and operating a cannabis business.
Entrepreneurs who apply for a license to operate a cannabis business will have the option to include information to verify their status as a social equity applicant. Social equity applicants will also have the opportunity to apply for a DCEO loan.
In addition to offering loans, DCEO will offer technical assistance and support for social equity applicants on everything from putting together a business plan to applying for a license. To view the map of disproportionately impacted areas, click here.
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Announces Approved Cannabis Responsible Vendors
The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation, Cannabis Control Section has approved 26 businesses as "Responsible Vendors" authorized to provide mandatory health and safety training to cannabis dispensary agents often referred to as "budtenders." At least half of these approved providers are minority owned. Approved vendors are based in Cook, Lake, Kane, DuPage, Will, and Sangamon counties in Illinois, and include three out-of-state companies from Iowa, Texas, and Florida. Many Responsible Vendors offer online trainings or have expressed a willingness to travel.
Responsible Vendors provide dispensary agents important training on how to properly check purchaser identification, state laws and rules relating to dispensing cannabis, how to identify signs of impairment, physiological effects of cannabis, security measures, and health concerns related to cannabis consumption. The Responsible Vendor training requirement is based on similar training required of alcohol servers but is tailored to the Illinois cannabis regulatory structure.
All medical cannabis dispensing agents currently working in Illinois must receive training from an approved Responsible Vendor by November 30, 2019 to ensure they have been trained before adult use sales begin on January 1, 2020. Any newly hired dispensary agents also will be required to receive training from an approved vendor within 90 days of their hiring date. In addition, all budtenders must receive the training annually to renew their license to work at a cannabis dispensary.
A list of approved Responsible Vendors can be found on IDFPR's website at:
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Employers No Longer Can Ask for Past Salary Information
Governor JB Pritzker signed into law an amendment to the Illinois Equal Pay Act that bans employers and employment agencies from asking about applicants' past wage and compensation histories or using such information to screen candidates for a job. The new law took effect on September 29, 2019.
The Illinois Department of Labor's Conciliation and Mediation Division is tasked with enforcing the new law. The idea behind the new prohibition is to help break a cycle where predominantly female and minority workers have received lower pay for performing the same or similar work as male and non-minority workers. Employers are more likely to perpetuate this situation if they base the new employees' pay on what they had previously earned.
Employers can be penalized for asking the applicant or the applicant's current or former employers for wage or salary history. "While the statute does stipulate penalties for violating the law, it is our hope to gain compliance through educating employers," said IDOL Director Michael Kleinik. "The Department of Labor will be doing various types of outreach and working with employer organizations throughout the state to explain the new law's impact."
The prohibition does not apply if a job applicant's salary history is a matter of public record or if the applicant is a current employee applying with the same employer.
If an applicant voluntarily provides wage or salary history, the employer has not violated the law and would not be penalized. This information, however, is not to be used to make a hiring decision or to determine the applicant's salary. Likewise, the new law does not prohibit an employer from asking an applicant what they desire to make at the new position.
Kleinik added that if they have not yet done so, employers should review their employment applications to make sure they do not ask for salary and wage history. They should also train those involved in hiring on the new law. Department of Labor staff also are available to answer questions from both employers and employees on the new law and can be reached on DOL's Equal Pay Act Hotline: 866-372-4365.
Illinois Employers Must Provide Sexual Harassment Training and Other Employee Protections
On August 9, 2019, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the Workplace Transparency Act (WTA) into law. The act strengthens protections for employees and responsibilities for Illinois employers. Among other protections, Illinois employers will be required to train employees on sexual harassment prevention, effective January 1, 2020.
The act also requires employers to report to the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) the number of adverse judgments or administrative rulings involving sexual harassment and unlawful discrimination on a yearly basis, beginning July 1, 2020.
Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program Encouraging New Efforts at Bringing Historic Buildings Back to Life
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced the first recipients for a new statewide historic preservation income tax credit program encouraging private investment to rehabilitate historic properties in Illinois.
The Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program, administered by the IDNR State Historic Preservation Office, is available to owners of historic structures who undertake certified rehabilitations making them eligible for a tax credit of up to $3 million per project based on a percentage of their rehabilitation costs. Credits are limited to a total of $15 million in allocations per year, with a total of $75 million in tax credits available over the five years that the program is to be in effect.
While this is the state's first statewide historic tax credit program, Illinois already administers a highly successful River Edge Historic Tax Credit, which is limited to only five cities in the state.
Private investment in construction and rehabilitation expenses and their leveraged effect create more full and part-time local jobs. Together with the related businesses located in those buildings, millions in state and local tax revenues are generated, Callahan added.
Illinois joins 32 other states which now offer statewide historic tax credits, which are known to stimulate local economies. In fact, a study by Landmarks Illinois showed that a state tax credit program can generate as much as $10.24 in economic impact per $1.00 of credit awarded during the construction phase alone (prior to any tax credit being issued), and up to $11.47 of economic impact per $1.00 dollar of credit in the first five years after project completion.
For this round of the Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program, complete applications were received from applicants representing 24 historic properties in 11 different communities. The total private investment related to the selected projects is estimated to be more than $578 million and the total amount of credits requested were approximately $47.6 million. Due to program caps, $9,750,000 in credits were assigned to the four projects which were allocated a credit in the first application round.
The following four historic building renovations received an allocation for a future state income tax credit:
* The former Hotel Belleville, located at 16 South Illinois Street, Belleville, will be converted into affordable senior housing with ground floor retail.
* The former Cook County Hospital Administration Building, located at 1835 West Harrison Street, Chicago, will be converted into two hotels, offices, and retail.
* The former Paris High School, located at 309 South Main in Paris, Illinois will be rehabilitated into affordable and senior apartments.
* The former nurses' quarters at Edward Hines, Jr., VA Hospital (Building #14), located at 5000 South 5th Avenue, Hines, will be rehabilitated into supportive veterans housing.
The tax credits will be issued once each project is successfully completed meeting all program requirements. Substantial private investment will already have been made in these communities before the credit is issued.
The credits are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to buildings that are located in low-income census tracts, counties that border a state with a competitive statewide historic tax credit, and federally declared disaster areas. Buildings that were once owned by a government entity, and whose development partnership includes a Community Development Entity, a low-profit organization, or a not-for-profit organization are also given priority for an allocation.
For more information on the Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program, contact Carol Dyson, 217-524-0276, [email protected] or Darius Bryjka, 217-558-8918, [email protected] with the IDNR State Historic Preservation Office.
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SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Businesses and Residents of Illinois Affected by June Severe Storms and Flooding
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Illinois businesses and residents affected by the severe storms and flooding on June 26-28, 2019 can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Acting Administrator Christopher Pilkerton announced.
Acting Administrator Pilkerton made the loans available in response to a letter from Gov. JB Pritzker on Sept. 20, 2019 requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA. The declaration covers Cook and Will counties and the adjacent counties of DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake and McHenry in Illinois and Lake County in Indiana.
SBA's Customer Service Representatives will be available at the Disaster Loan Outreach Centers to answer questions about the disaster loan program and help individuals complete their applications.
The Center is located in the following community and is open as indicated:
Cook County
Village of Steger Community Center
3501 Hopkins Avenue
Steger, IL 60475
Opening: Tuesday, October 1 from 11 am to 6 pm
Hours: Monday - Friday from 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm
Closed: Sunday
Closed: Monday October 14th (Columbus Day)
Closes: Thursday, October 17 from 9: am to 4 pm
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar disaster.
Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.75 percent for nonprofit organizations, and 1.938 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amount and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure website at
DisasterLoan.sba.gov
.
Businesses and individuals may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing
[email protected]
. Loan applications can also be downloaded at
www.sba.gov
. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 25, 2019. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 26, 2020.
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TIP OF THE MONTH
Know Your Limitations on Subcontracting
If you are a small business pursuing federal contracting opportunities, the limitations on subcontracting can be very confusing. Nonetheless, you must understand them if you wish to remain compliant and protect yourself against competitors protests.
So, what are the "limitations on subcontracting"? Essentially, the limitations on subcontracting place a cap on the dollar signs that your firm can subcontract to "non-similarly situated entities" under set-aside contracts. To add to the confusion, the language in the FAR has not yet caught up to the updated SBA regulations published in 13 CFR 125.6. Additionally, the limitations on subcontracting vary by industry (construction, service, manufacturing, etc.). To help make sense of all of it, Govology has recently published two blog articles on this subject. The first article covers the limitations on subcontracting for construction firms while the other addresses the limitations on subcontracting for service firms.
Click here to read "Limitations on Subcontracting for Construction Contractors in Three Steps."
Click here to read "Limitations on Subcontracting for Service Contractors in Four Steps"
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News from the Small Business Administration
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Popular Small Business Data Publications From the Office of Advocacy
The FAQ shows the major economic role of the small business sector in the U.S. economy.
- Most businesses are small - 99.9 percent of all firms.
- The total number of small businesses is now 30.7 million.
- Small businesses generate 33.3 percent of known export value.
- Small businesses pay 40.7 percent of private sector payroll.
- Small businesses are the nation's job creators. They have generated 65 percent of net new jobs since 2000.
- About half of all firms are home based, and about one-fifth are family owned.
- About half of all establishments survive at least five years, and about one-third survive at least 10 years.
For research purposes, the U.S. Small Business Administration defines small businesses as independent businesses with fewer than 500 employees.
Help Us Find SBA's Next Small Business Winner
Did you know the SBA is accepting nominations for its 2020 National Small Business Week Awards? For more than 50 years, National Small Business Week has recognized the outstanding achievements of America's small businesses for their contributions to their local communities, and to our nation's economy. Nominate a small business you've worked with for one of the following awards:
- Small Business Person of the Year
- Small Business Exporter of the Year
- 8(a) Graduate of the Year
- Family-Owned Business of the Year
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year
- Encore Entrepreneur of the Year
- Rural Small Business of the Year
The deadline is Jan. 7, 2020. Review the award guidelines (state and national) and contact SBA Illinois Public Affairs Specialist Jessica Mayle at [email protected] with questions!
Lender Match Referral Tool
Are you seeking capital for your small business? Lender Match is a free online referral tool that connects small businesses with participating SBA-approved lenders. Answer a few questions about your business in as little as five minutes.
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New Tax Withholding Estimator - Big Help to Workers with Self-employed Income and Retirees
The new Tax Withholding Estimator online tool includes a feature designed to make it easier for employees who also receive self-employment income to accurately estimate the correct amount of tax to have withdrawn from their pay.
The Tax Withholding Estimator is an online tool that replaces the Withholding Calculator. The new tool offers self-employed taxpayers a more accurate way to calculate the amount of income tax they want to have withheld from their wages.
Treasury, IRS release final and proposed regulations on new 100% depreciation
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service recently released final regulations and additional proposed regulations under section 168(k) of the Internal Revenue Code on the new 100% additional first year depreciation deduction allowing businesses to write off most depreciable business assets in the year they are placed in service by the business.
The final regulations finalize the proposed regulations issued in August 2018 which implement several provisions included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.The proposed regulations contain new provisions not addressed previously.
For more information about this and other TCJA provisions, visit IRS.gov/taxreform.
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Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program
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USEPA Seeks Comment on New Policy Proposals to Facilitate Market-Based Opportunities to Improve Water
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced an important step to help promote the use of market-based approaches to efficiently and cost-effectively improve water quality across the nation. Speaking at the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council meeting, Administrator Wheeler announced several new policy proposals that could simplify and give more flexibility to states, tribes and stakeholders seeking to develop market-based programs or to generate or use nutrient reduction credits.
The action seeks comment on policy options related to one of the six market-based principles identified in EPA's February 6, 2019 Water Quality Trading Policy memo-encouraging simplicity and flexibility in implementing baseline concepts. The proposal seeks comment on approaches to clarify and provide flexibility for non-point sources to generate credits for use in water quality trading.
Under the Clean Water Act, water quality trading is an option for those seeking compliance with a discharge permit. Under trading programs, permitted facilities facing higher pollution control costs may be able to meet their regulatory obligations by purchasing environmentally equivalent (or superior) pollution reductions from other sources at lower cost. While EPA has long interpreted the Clean Water Act to allow for pollutant reductions from water quality trading, the practice has not been used to its fullest potential.
EPA invites the public to consider the policy options presented in today's notice and provide written comment on those options and others that may help promote market-based approaches to water quality improvements. EPA will host a public meeting to facilitate discussion on this important aspect of market-based programs, including water quality trading, that can be used to cost-effectively achieve water quality improvements.
Background
On Feb. 6, 2019, EPA released the Water Quality Trading Policy memo to modernize the agency's water quality trading policies to leverage emerging technologies and facilitate broader adoption of market-based programs. The memo identified five additional market-based principles that EPA encourages policy makers and stakeholders to consider in developing market-based programs:
- States, tribes and stakeholders should consider implementing water quality trading and other market-based programs on a watershed scale.
- EPA encourages the use of adaptive strategies for implementing market-based programs.
- Water quality credits and offsets may be banked for future use.
- A single project may generate credits for multiple markets.
- Financing opportunities exist to assist with deployment of non-point land use practices.
The memo reiterates the agency's support for water quality trading and other market-based programs to maximize pollutant reduction efforts and improve water quality. These actions are part of a larger collaboration with stakeholders across the country to better coordinate and focus federal resources on some of the nation's most challenging water resource concerns, including addressing excess nutrients in waterways.
USEPA Air Regulations for Public Comment
[EPA is providing notification that one of the two accredited providers of audit samples for the stationary source audit program has ceased manufacturing samples. The general provisions require that the owner or operator of an affected facility required to conduct performance testing obtain audit samples if the audit samples are ''commercially available'' and have defined ''commercially available'' to mean that two or more independent accredited audit sample providers have blind audit samples available for purchase. Since there are no longer two providers, the requirement to obtain these audit samples is no longer in effect until such time as another independent accredited audit sample provider has audit samples available for purchase. The EPA is providing a 90- day comment period during which interested persons may provide comments on the suspension of the stationary source audit program and the effectiveness of the program prior to its suspension. Comments must be received on or before December 10, 2019.]
[EPA is proposing amendments to the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Cellulose Products Manufacturing to address the results of the residual risk and technology review (RTR) that the EPA is required to conduct under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The EPA is proposing to amend provisions addressing periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM); to add provisions regarding periodic emissions testing and electronic reporting; to provide more flexibility for monitoring requirements; and to make technical and editorial changes. While the proposed amendments would not result in reductions in emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAP), this action, if finalized, would result in improved monitoring, compliance, and implementation of the rule. Comments must be received on or before October 24, 2019.]
[EPA is proposing amendments to the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Plywood and Composite Wood Products (PCWP) to address the results of the residual risk and technology review (RTR) that the EPA is required to conduct under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The EPA is proposing to amend provisions addressing periods of startup, shutdown and malfunction (SSM); add provisions regarding electronic reporting; add repeat emissions testing requirements; and make technical and editorial changes. The EPA is proposing these amendments to improve the effectiveness of the NESHAP. While the proposed amendments would not result in reductions in emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAP), this action, if finalized, would result in improved monitoring, compliance, and implementation of the rule. Comments must be received on or before October 21, 2019.]
[EPA is proposing the results of a residual risk and technology review (RTR) of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Miscellaneous Coating Manufacturing (MCM NESHAP) facilities, as required by the Clean Air Act (CAA). The EPA is proposing to find risks due to emissions of air toxics to be acceptable from the MCM source category and to determine that the current NESHAP provides an ample margin of safety to protect public health. The EPA identified no new cost effective controls under the technology review to achieve further emissions reductions from process units subject to standards under the NESHAP. The EPA is also proposing revisions related to emissions during periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM), including clarifying regulatory provisions for certain vent control bypasses; provisions for electronic reporting of performance test results, performance evaluation reports, compliance reports, and Notification of Compliance Status (NOCS) reports; and provisions to conduct periodic performance testing of oxidizers used to reduce emissions of organic hazardous air pollutants (HAP). Comments must be received on or before October 21, 2019.]
For more information visit the Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program website at: www.ildceo.net/enviro.
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AnitaB.org Chicago DiversiTech Hiring Fair - October 24
The AnitaB.org Chicago Community is hosting their
https://community.anitab.org/event/anitab-org-chicago-diversitech-hiring-fair/ 4th annual DiversiTech Hiring Fair. The event will be held at the Chicago Connectory, 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, #570, Chicago on October 24th, 2pm to 7pm. This event allows for companies to connect with diverse applicants looking for opportunities in the technology sector. It is also a time to engage in empowering conversations that support the Chicago community.
Are you looking for an employment opportunity? The event is free for attendees. Please register and upload your resume.
Are you interested in sponsoring the event?
Please see our
website
for content and pricing details. You may register as sponsor and purchased your desired
sponsorship
level.
UIS/SIU Med CPO Diverse Vendor Fair - October 21
Are you a minority, woman, disabled, or veteran business owner and looking for ways to grow your business? Do you want to connect with State of Illinois' public universities and learn how to do business with them? If you said yes, then join us at the Chief Procurement Office and Higher Education Diverse Business Opportunity Fair "Make a Connection with Higher Education."
This exciting event offers face-to-face opportunities for dialogue and networking between diverse business owners and State of Illinois' public universities and college departments.
The fair will be held on Monday, October 21, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Student Union Ballroom, 2nd Floor, 2251 Richard Wright Dr, Springfield, IL 62703.
Workshops on topics including BEP Certification, Small Business Assistance, Access to Capital, How to Do Business, Procurement and Legislation will be held at:
- 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.| Procurement and legislation that affects small and diverse businesses
- 1:00-2:00 p.m.| Benefits of becoming certified with the State of Illinois' Business Enterprise Program
This event is an excellent opportunity for diverse businesses to:
- Learn about procurement opportunities with the State of Illinois' public universities and community colleges
- Connect with the Chief Procurement Office and other state agencies that assist diverse businesses
- Network with current prime contractors
- Contribute to our state's commitment to growing the economic development of small and diverse-owned businesses.
Innovation Challenge - October 17, 2019 Waubonsee Community College
Entrepreneurs and business owners are invited to present their business ideas to a panel of judges and compete for prizes. Competitors may pitch newly formed ideas, fully developed business plans and/or ideas for business expansion. There is no restriction on business type or target market.
Competitors will present a three-minute oral presentation to a panel of judges who will provide feedback on the business idea. The top three competitors will receive prizes that include cash, in-kind packages and possible incubator space.
Applicants must be Illinois residents. To apply by Oct. 1, 2019.
Click here
for more details.
Entrepreneur Coaching Academy - Begins October 15, Register Now (Champaign)
A second cohort of the Entrepreneur Coaching Academy will begin October 15th and run through November 21st. This intensive program meets Tuesdays & Thursdays and is designed to mentor future leaders and entrepreneurs in developing their essential skills to influence and achieve high performance measures as small business owners.
Are you thinking about starting your own business? Wondering if entrepreneurship is right for you? Do you have an idea for a business but no clue where to go next?
Come to the Entrepreneur Coaching Academy! This intensive program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays for six weeks, October 15-November 21. The Entrepreneur Coaching Academy is designed to mentor future leaders and entrepreneurs in developing their essential skills to influence and achieve high performance measures as small business owners.
Learn more + register
here
.
ADME Lunch and Learn
The Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE), along with the CMS Business Enterprise Program and the SBDC Network
, will be hosting an ADME Lunch & Learn workshop. During the workshop, subject matter experts will address the needs of business owners, those looking to do business with the State of Illinois and those looking for resources for their businesses.
Thursday, October 17, 2019 12:00pm-1:30pm
Lightford Recreation Center
809 Madison Street
Maywood, IL 60153
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Spotlight on Success- A Century Advertising
A Century Advertising was established on December 1, 1983 in Elmhurst IL. It is a woman owned small business providing imprinted and promotional products in every category from Apparel to Tools & Hardware.
Their staff has over 100 years of combined experience. The firm communicates their clients message to their customer, helps builds their business or assists with the development of a fundraiser. The staff assists their customers with every aspect of their order including product suggestion, research and selection and their in-house graphic design staff is available to create and develop the customers' art design.
A Century Advertising came to the Illinois PTAC at College of DuPage in 2015 for assistance and guidance in understanding the federal registration, System for Award Management (SAM). The PTAC walked them through the two-step registration and new notarized letter process. As a result, the client did successfully register in SAM..
As with any client, ongoing assistance to develop their federal contracting efforts is often needed. The Illinois PTAC offered guidance on marketing their firm and how to identify contractual opportunities with federal agencies. As a result of their efforts, the firm was awarded a federal contract. Sometimes post contract assistance can also be needed, and this client ran into a challenge with the specific invoicing process of their federal customer. A Century Advertising knew where to turn and again contacted the Illinois PTAC at College of DuPage for assistance. The PTAC Office worked diligently to assist them and walked them through federal customer requirements to successfully upload their invoices.
A Century Advertising has had success in winning government contracts and it has been rewarding to see the growth and their increased knowledge of government contracting. Company representative, Ed Enyart stated "The Illinois PTAC at College of DuPage has served A Century since 2015 when we had the opportunity to do an order with a US Government entity. Their service and support provided has been exceptional and has facilitated A Century in securing much needed orders in the imprinted merchandise business. We are extremely thankful for their support and look forward to their continued support. Thank you!" The Illinois PTAC at COD feels this is only the beginning for A Century Advertising and are proud to be part of their journey.
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Illinois Small Business Development Centers are located throughout the state and provide information, confidential business guidance, training and other resources and services for start-up and existing small businesses.
Whether your company employs two people or 102, you need a strong network behind you to succeed. And that's where the Illinois Small Business Development Center comes in. SBDC partners with well-respected business development organizations and educational institutions to assist you in maximizing your potential to grow and attract investors. SBDC connects you to the experts, tools and opportunities that translate into endless possibilities!
The Illinois SBDC program is located within the Office of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology at the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. For more information please click here.
Need Assistance?
Call our helpline at 800.252.2923 where we have English and Spanish Speaking assistance, or email
[email protected].
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http://www.illinois.gov/dceo STAY CONNECTED:    
This newsletter is provided in partnership with the Illinois Small Business Development Center Network. |
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