Halpin Backs Legislation to Keep Businesses in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois businesses located on the state border would receive assistance accessing state economic incentives that will help create and retain jobs in local communities under a proposal backed by state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island.

“As a state, we can be doing more to help new businesses get off the ground, existing business grow and all improve their bottom line,” said Halpin. “Particularly in communities like ours that are close to the border, it’s important that businesses are fully equipped to compete and succeed.”

Halpin is sponsoring Senate Bill 3285, the Illinois Home Grown Business Opportunity Act, so that businesses and municipalities located geographically close to bordering states are better able to take advantage of state resources. Under the legislation, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity would oversee the development of an economic plan to help Illinois businesses in border communities compete with their counterparts in neighboring states. The plan will include an assessment of the economic developing practices of Illinois and bordering states; recommendations for best practices with respect to economic development, business incentives, business attraction and business retention for parts of Illinois that border at least one state; and identification of existing resources to assist businesses and municipalities in being more economically competitive with border states.

“Employers in border communities like ours want someone from the state to reach out and show them that we want them here in Illinois, and that’s exactly what this bill does,” said Halpin. “These employers are the drivers of our local economy, and we have the tools to help them succeed here in Illinois. I am committed to helping them access the resources they need to stay and thrive in the Quad City area.”