Halpin Promotes Small Business Saturday, Encourages Community to Shop Locally

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, is helping support local businesses and boosting economic development by encouraging shoppers to participate in Small Business Saturday and think locally when making holiday purchases.

“Many families in our community are beginning their holiday shopping, and I encourage them to support some of our local businesses,” Halpin said. “We want to keep our money with the small businesses run by our neighbors and friends, not fork over more cash to big corporations. I’m proud of the mom and pop stores and smaller shops that make our community unique, and I want to keep it that way.”

Promoting Saturday, November 30, as Small Business Saturday is just one of the steps Halpin is taking to boost small business in Illinois. He has also supported robust legislative actions to assist small businesses. Halpin spearheaded the creation of the Quad Cities Outsourcing Prevention Task Force, which is working to find new solutions to outsourcing problems in the community. He backed House Bill 2868, which facilitated stronger relationships between local businesses and local school districts for work-based learning. Finally, Halpin is also pushing for the Keep Illinois Business Act, which requires big businesses leaving the state return tax credits and other public funds to local communities.

“Our local businesses are the lifeblood of a thriving economy,” Halpin said. “I’m committed to building a stronger Illinois, and that means reinforcing businesses around us, not giving our money to out-of-state corporate interests. This Saturday, I encourage everyone to take part and shop locally.”