CHICAGO – To help hardworking small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs accomplish their business goals, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, hosted a free Minority-Owned Business Workshop in collaboration with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

“For small business owners, the road to success often includes many obstacles that they will have to overcome to become in order to grow and achieve their goals,” said Slaughter. “The challenges that come with owning and operating a business can be even tougher for minority small business owners.”

Slaughter’s Minority-Owned Business Workshop featured business experts from the DCEO who provided information on applying for grants, access to capital, creating a business plan and other important topics.

“It is absolutely critical that we do all that we can help our small businesses flourish and grow,” said Slaughter. “Small businesses are the heart of our local economy. They not only provide income for the owners, but also give a sense of pride and many job opportunities to communities where they are located.”

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.”