IL

The Agenda for Illinois’ Entrepreneurs

Small Business Majority’s Illinois policy agenda outlines policies that advance and promote equitable pathways for entrepreneurship while centering small businesses as the key to a thriving and inclusive economy. The state’s 1.3 million small businesses employ 2.4 million people (about 44.1% of the private workforce), with firms without employees making up 80% of all owned businesses.  Illinois small business owners are navigating workforce shortages, a childcare crisis and the end of a number of pandemic era programs that support entrepreneurship.

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Nancy Maxwell

Nancy Maxwell has been a member of the Southern Illinois Community for over twenty years. Nancy has proven herself to be a fierce advocate for our community. She has over 15 years of leadership and supervisory experience. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director of Carbondale United, a Social Service Nonprofit Organization building programs for parents and children that provide much needed systemic change for Carbondale residents. She is the Vice President of The Black Chamber of Commerce, Owner and Operator of Print’s R Us.

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Chastity Mays

Chastity Mays is a Certified Birth Doula and owner of Hathor Doula Services.  She has served clients in Southern Illinois, the Missouri Bootheel area, and Paducah, Kentucky.  She stands with and advocates for families who are underrepresented and, in many cases, simply not heard at all.

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Pocket Guide: Equity to Reduce the Racial Wealth Gap

This pocket guide is for use by policy advocates, lawmakers, and program administrators to review whether a proposed policy or program advances equity, specifically racial equity, to help reduce the racial wealth gap. Prioritizing racial equity creates inclusive economic prosperity, especially for economically and socially disadvantaged individuals, families, and small businesses in underserved areas affected by systemic oppression. 

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Investing in Chicago’s Small Businesses: Recommendations for Business Growth and Job Creation in Underserved Neighborhoods

Additionally, as part of the Chicago Inclusive Growth Coalition, Small Business Majority convened stakeholders and small business owners in different industries to address solutions for growth, job creation and economic development. Small Business Majority led workgroups in the development of a report to provide recommendations in the industries of construction, transportation and delivery, food and beverage service, manufacturing, and the creative industries in the City of Chicago.

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Inclusive Growth Toolkit for Business Service Organizations

Small Business Majority facilitates ecosystem building work by co-directing the Chicago Inclusive Growth Coalition (CIGC) alongside Allies for Community Business (formerly known as Accion in Illinois and Northwest Indiana). As part of this work, Small Business Majority facilitates impact measurement for local business assistance providers and reviews policy efforts and program investments to improve small business services in underserved neighborhoods.

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Illinois entrepreneur calls on Congress to rein in rising healthcare costs

Leslie Allison-Seei is the president of Robust Promotions LLC, an award-winning turnkey service provider offering prize consulting, legal documents and support, microsite infrastructure, graphic design and much more, in Villa Park, Ill. Together with her husband Greg, they’ve worked with restaurant chains and global brands such as Popeyes and Häagen Dazs, among others. 

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Illinois small business owners testifies in support of Truth in Lending Act protections

On March 28, Johnathon Bush, owner of Not Just Cookies provided testimony before the Illinois House Financial Institutions and Licensing Committee on HB 2234, legislation that would extend consumer protections for small business borrowers. 

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Small Business Majority testifies in support of Truth in Lending Act protections for small businesses

On March 28, Small Business Majority's Illinois Director Tasha Brown testified before the Illinois House Financial Institutions and Licensing Committee on behalf of HB 2234, legislation that would enact critical protections for small business borrowers in Illinois.

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Small Business Majority testifies in support of bill to limit unreasonable rate increases

Midwest Director Tasha Brown testifies to express our support for Senate Bill 1912, legislation that will provide the Department of Insurance the authority to reject unreasonable rate increases for health insurance in both the individual and small group markets.

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