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One of The Chamber’s four core functions is our role as a leading voice OF and FOR business, promoting and influencing pro-business, pro-growth policies and procedures while opposing those that are not.
We track local, state, and federal legislation and inform members of how it may impact their business and our community. We inform and guide members when action is needed, and provide the necessary information and most effective ways to take such action.
2020 Chamber Advocacy Updates
December, 2020 – CEO Update Magazine Article & Advocacy Updates
December 14, 2020 - The Chamber held a call with a small group of members and U.S. Representative Darin LaHood’s legislative director strongly advocating for a year-end COVID Relief package including, but not limited to financial assistance for our hardest hit industries, a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and the deductibility of business expenses paid with PPP funding. The Chamber communicated the same message with our other elected officials in Washington D.C.
December 11, 2020 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.
December 2, 2020 - In our weekly email, The Brief, provided members with information of the status on the deductibility of PPP loans and a utility relief fund program.
Call to Action: Make PPP Funded Business Expenses Deductible
The Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, was passed to provide businesses critical relief during government shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These loans are forgivable as long as they were used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest and utilities. Congressional leaders intended PPP funded expenses to be deductible like other business expenses. However, additional legislative action is needed to make PPP funded expenses deductible. Urge our representatives to make PPP funded business expenses deductible here.
City Council approves $1.3 million utility relief program for businesses, residents.
Educational Resources on the Progressive Tax Amendment
- Chambers Against Tax website (in partnership with the Illinois Chamber)
- Understanding the impact of Progressive Income Tax Amendment (short videos created by the Illinois Chamber)
- The Coalition to Stop the Tax Hike Amendment (notaxhikeamendment.com)
- The Progressive Tax: What it IS, what it SAYS, and what it DOES NOT DO (one-page summary)
- Illinois Manufacturers' Association
- The Anything Goes Tax from Illinois Policy
October 28, 2020 - In our weekly email, The Brief, provided members with information listed below on the proposed Progressive Tax Amendment.
- Understanding the impact of Progressive Income Tax Amendment (short videos created by the Illinois Chamber)
- Illinois Chamber Video 5 (GSCC #5 in The Brief on Oct 28)
- Chambers Against Tax website
- Illinois Policy Anything Goes Tax webpage
October 21, 2020 - In our weekly email, The Brief, provided members with information listed below on the proposed Progressive Tax Amendment.
- Understanding the impact of Progressive Income Tax Amendment (short videos created by the Illinois Chamber)
- Illinois Chamber Video 4 (GSCC #4 in The Brief on Oct 21)
- Stop the Proposed Tax Hike Amendment website
- Commentary from Chicago Tribune: I wrote Illinois’ ‘flat tax’ legislation and believe the state should keep it
October 21, 2020 - Sent members COVID-19 Update concerning protecting local businesses.
October 14, 2020 - In our weekly email, The Brief, provided members with information listed below on the proposed Progressive Tax Amendment.
- Understanding the impact of Progressive Income Tax Amendment (short videos created by the Illinois Chamber)
- Illinois Chamber Video 3 (GSCC #3 in The Brief on Oct 14)
- Illinois Manufacturers' Association - Stop The Graduated Income Tax Hike webpage
October 12, 2020 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.
October 7, 2020 - In our weekly email, The Brief, provided members with information listed below on the proposed Progressive Tax Amendment.
- Understanding the impact of Progressive Income Tax Amendment (short videos created by the Illinois Chamber)
- Illinois Chamber Video 1 (GSCC #2 in The Brief on Oct 7)
- Chambers Against Tax website
September 30, 2020 - In our weekly email, The Brief, provided members with information listed below on the proposed Progressive Tax Amendment.
The Progressive Tax - KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Know the facts before you go vote. The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce opposes the proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution to allow a new progressive tax structure for several reasons, beginning with trust.
Lawmakers promised Illinois taxpayers previous income tax increases would fix Illinois’ fiscal problems. They did not. Why would we trust lawmakers this time around? Instead, if approved, the constitutional amendment will give the legislature a blank check making it easier to raise taxes on various levels of incomes with no accountability to control spending, balance the budget, or live within their means.
The progressive income tax proposal does not require new tax revenue to be dedicated to critical needs such as health care, education, the state bill backlog, or pension debt. However, it will raise taxes on businesses, hurt economic growth and job creation, and cause even more businesses and residents to leave the state during the worst economic crisis in our lifetime.
- Understanding the impact of Progressive Income Tax Amendment (short videos created by the Illinois Chamber)
- Illinois Chamber Video 8 (GSCC Video 1 in The Brief on Sep 30)
- The Coalition to Stop the Tax Hike Amendment
- The Progressive Tax: What it IS, what it SAYS, and what it DOES NOT DO (one-page summary)
September 29, 2020 - Participated in the Zoom video/teleconference hosted by Illinois State Senator Bill Brady for member businesses.
September 18, 2020 - Invited members to participate in a Zoom video/teleconference on Tuesday, September 29 hosted by Illinois State Senator Bill Brady for businesses in the 44th Senate District to hear concerns about the challenges businesses are facing and the issues that lay ahead, as well as to find out how state government can assist in efforts to earn a living and run a successful business.
September 14, 2020 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.
August 3, 2020 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.
July 21, 2020 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.
June 25, 2020 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.
June, 2020 – CEO Update Magazine Article & Advocacy Updates
June 8, 2020 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.
May 24, 2020 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.
May 11, 2020 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.
April 20, 2020 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.
April, 2020 – CEO Update Magazine Article & Advocacy Updates
April 13, 2020 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.
March 3, 2020 - The Chamber provided members with information on proposed legislation that could impact the business community. The Chamber will continue to monitor activity at the Capitol and, in keeping with our policy agenda, will weigh in when appropriate. As always, we encourage members to do the same. To view the Advocacy Update email, click HERE.
February 28, 2020 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.
January 31, 2020 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.
January 17, 2020 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.
January 3, 2020 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.
December 10, 2019 - The Board of Directors of The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce adopted The Chamber's 2020 Policy Agenda which can be found on our website.