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2021 Advocacy Updates

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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.

The Chamber tracks local, state, and federal legislation and informs 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.

2021 Chamber Advocacy Updates

August 17, 2021 – The Chamber sent an email to members informing them that the new Back to Business Grant program application portal would be opening the next day.

August 12, 2021 – The Chamber sent an email to members informing them of several scheduled webinars to review the specifics of the new Back to Business Grant program.

August 11, 2021 – The Chamber sent an email to members announcing the new Back to Business Grant program.  The Chamber also announced it would be serving as a “Community Navigator” advocating for businesses and providing technical assistance for applicants, as well as relevant program updates.

July 13, 2021 - The Chamber joined a coalition of business organizations from across the state submitting a letter to the Governor requesting the state end the federal enhanced unemployment insurance benefit, reinstate the work search requirement for able-bodied individuals, and use ARPA dollars to help eliminate the debt in our state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. If Illinois officials do not help address the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund debt, then it will require large tax increases and benefit cuts for workers.

June 14 & 15, 2021 - The Chamber joined a coalition of business organizations and Chambers of Commerce submitting a letter to the Governor and an additional  letter to the Senate President urging the delay of the pending energy legislation to further engage with the appropriate stakeholders to address critical issues including but not limited to increased costs to ratepayers and reliability.

April 28, 2021 - The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is all in and has joined the Chambers All in for Economic Recovery Initiative. Our coalition is now over 45 Illinois Chambers of Commerce calling for the Illinois legislature to make economic recovery for businesses a priority in 2021. You can learn more about the initiative and its platform HERE.

March 22, 2021 - The week of March 22, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce filed witness slips supporting the following legislation: HB 801, HB 1759, HB 1830, HB 1855, HB 2571, HB 2608, HB 2965, and HB 3003.

March 22, 2021 - The week of March 22, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce filed witness slips opposing the following legislation: HB 116, HB 353, HB 616, HB 3433, HB 3530, and HB 3898.

March 15, 2021 - The week of March 15, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce filed witness slips supporting the following legislation: HB 1830, HB 2571, HB 2583, HB 2608, HB 2965, SB 490, SB 491, and SB 511.

March 15, 2021 - The week of March 15, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce filed witness slips opposing the following legislation: HB 74, HB 95, HB 127, HB 145, HB 283, HB 284, HB 353, and HB 616.

March 12, 2021 - 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 with our support or opposition when appropriate.  As always, we encourage members to do the same.  Click here to see the Advocacy Update.

March 11, 2021 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.

March 8, 2021 - The week of March 8, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce filed witness slips supporting the following legislation: HB 559 and HB 560.

March 3, 2021 - The Greater Springfield Chamber of Chamber joined a large coalition of business associations and Chambers of Commerce submitting a letter to Congress urging them to extend the application deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to December 31, 2021 to ensure that the segment of small businesses facing the greatest obstacles do not get left behind.

February 19, 2021 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.

February 11, 2021 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.

January 21, 2021 - The Chamber joined a coalition of businesses and organizations led by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, submitting a letter to the Governor asking him to veto HB 3360. The bill, introduced and passed with no debate during the lame duck session, will make Illinois an outlier nationally while significantly increasing litigation costs on Illinois employers who are currently dealing with the economic and financial challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

January 19, 2021 - Sent email to members regarding Tier 3 Mitigation measures being lifted and Region 3 returning to Phase 4.

January 14, 2021 - Emailed members copy of the Sangamon County COVID-19 Vaccination Plan.

January 7, 2021 - Sent members Public Policy Newsletter.

December 8, 2020 - The Board of Directors of The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce adopted The Chamber's 2021 Policy Agenda which can be found on our website.

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