CHICAGO – To help working families and youth struggling financially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently supported a new state law that allows minors to apply for and receive employment certificates online.

“As the economy begins to reopen and heal from the damage inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have to make sure that we continue to mobilize workers here in Illinois,” said Slaughter. “This new law streamlines the process for 14 and 15-year-olds to get a work permit, benefiting both prospective workers and employers, and I am glad to see it signed into law.” 

The Slaughter-backed Senate Bill 696 passed both chambers of the General Assembly without opposition and was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Continuing an emergency rule put in place during the pandemic, this legislation creates a permanent remote option for granting certificates for minors to enter the workforce.

“A first job is an opportunity to expose someone to life skills and experiences they can’t receive anywhere else,” said Slaughter. “Whether it’s to save money for college, earn cash or pursue work that interests them, this measure makes it easier for our youth to chart their own path forward.” 

AURORA, Ill. – State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, is inviting small business owners and residents to a town hall event on the Fair Tax plan, co-hosted with state Rep. Karina Villa (D-Batavia), on Tuesday, Oct. 22nd at 7 p.m. at Two Brothers Roundhouse, located at 205 N. Broadway in Aurora.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and it is my priority as a state representative to provide information on the Fair Tax and its potential implications for business owners,” said Hernandez. “I strongly encourage business owners to attend to learn about this new legislation and ask questions.”

Hernandez and Villa will be joined by Ralph Matire, the Director of Tax and Budget Accountability, a bipartisan think tank working to promote economic justice in communities. They will update attendees on the Fair Tax and the efforts to provide relief for local businesses, as well as answering questions from guests. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information on this event, or to RSVP, please contact Hernandez’s constituent services office at 630-270-1848 or email RepBarbaraHernandez@gmail.com.

Who:     State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, State Rep. Karina Villa, and the Center for  Tax    

and Budget Accountability

What:    Small Business Fair Tax Town Hall

When:  Tuesday, Oct. 22nd from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Where: Two Brothers Roundhouse, located at 205 N. Broadway in Aurora

CHICAGO – To help local residents find job opportunities, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently partnered with Washington Heights Workforce Center to host a hiring fair at his district office in Chicago.

“In our community, there are far too many people who have the skills and ability to be hired but don’t have a job,” said Slaughter. “By partnering with local organizations to host hiring fairs, we can help  residents find  good jobs that will lead to a steady and stable future.”

Slaughter’s event helped connect community members with  job opportunities at agencies such as United Parcel Services (UPS) and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). This hiring event is part of Slaughter’s ongoing Community Careers Initiative, which seeks to address unemployment in the community. For more information on Slaughter’s upcoming events, please call 773-445-9700 or email Justin@RepSlaughter.com.  

PEORIA, Ill. – In recognition of National Women’s Small Business Month this October, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth is highlighting reforms to reduce taxes on small businesses and attract new businesses to Illinois.

“I am committed to building a stronger Illinois by building a stronger middle class and that means supporting the small businesses that are drivers of our economy,” Gordon-Booth said. “During National Women’s Small Business Month, it is important to highlight the tax reforms and opportunities available to small businesses in Illinois.”

Women own 42% of all businesses according to Business.com, compared to less than 5% in 1972. During the last five years, the number of small businesses owned by all women grew 21% and that rate was nearly double for women of color.

As Deputy Majority Leader in the Illinois House, Gordon-Booth helped spearhead negotiations with Republicans for a bipartisan, balanced budget that instituted a number of reforms to reduce taxes for small businesses and make it easier for the state to attract new businesses. Gordon-Booth backed:

• Senate Bill 689 to eliminate the burdensome corporate franchise tax, helping 300,000 small businesses, and increase tax credits for small businesses that employ workers in areas of high unemployment or underemployment
• Senate Bill 690 to allow a tax credit for workers on small business data center projects and to allow sales tax credits for data center businesses that invest in Illinois
• Senate Bill 1591 to invest in small businesses that invest in local jobs by creating tax credits for small businesses to train and employ apprentices

“Small businesses are the heart of our economy in Illinois and women-owned small businesses are a growing and critical part of building a stronger middle class in our state,” Gordon-Booth said. “Reducing taxes on small businesses and making it easier for them to hire and train workers will assist the growth of all small businesses, but will be particularly helpful for small businesses owned by women and women of color that historically were excluded from accessing business development programs and resources.”

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – To provide beneficial services to his constituents, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, will be hosting a Jobs Fair in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) on Oct. 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the University Center of Lake County, Room 142, located at 1200 University Center Dr. in Grayslake. Job seekers will be able to connect with employers, network with hiring managers, and receive information about resources for the unemployed and underemployed.

“Hard-working people deserve to have access to good-paying jobs that they can support their families with,” Yingling said. “My jobs fair is a fantastic opportunity for those who are looking for employment to see what’s available to them in the local market.”

For more information, please contact Yingling’s full-time constituent office at 847-231-6262 or email repsamyingling@gmail.com.

Who:               State Rep. Sam Yingling

                        IDES

What:             Job Fair

When:            Thursday, October 24, 2019

Where:           University Center of Lake County

                        Room 142

                        1200 University Center Dr.

                        Grayslake, IL

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Women in Illinois will no longer face biased interview questions that have historically locked them into a lifetime of lower pay as a result of a new pay equity law backed by state Rep. Dan Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, going into effect.

“While Donald Trump and his allies chip away at the progress we’ve made and refuse to acknowledge the priorities of women, we have worked to make Illinois a leader in championing women’s rights,” Didech said. “It is unacceptable that on average women still earn less than their male peers and this new law aims to fix that injustice.”

Didech was a vocal supporter and sponsor of House Bill 834, which aims to close the wage gap between men and women by prohibiting companies from asking a job seeker to disclose their salary history, or attempting to obtain it any other way. Given discrepancies in pay, when prospective employees are asked about their salary history it can indirectly lock them into that salary instead of a more competitive one. With the new Didech-backed law, Illinois joins states like Massachusetts, California, Delaware, and Oregon who have passed similar legislation.

“This is a necessary first step as we work to ensure equal pay for equal work is more than just a slogan,” Didech added. “I remain committed to pushing back against any radical attempt to chip away at our progress and advocating on behalf of policies that advance the priorities of Illinois women and families.”

​

​SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, is helping establish more vocational jobs opportunities with his support for a bill creating the Training in Building Trades Program to award grants to community organizations in support of jobs education classes.

“Good-paying jobs are the foundation of a thriving economy and a stronger Illinois, and robust jobs training programs will bring us closer to that goal,” Carroll said. “Our community needs more educational opportunities for people to learn new skills that will equip them to build better lives for themselves.”

Continuing his efforts to boost economic opportunity and practical, good-paying jobs, Carroll passed House Bill 2304, which creates the Training in Building Trades Program in the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The goal of this program is to provide opportunities for people between 18 and 35 to learn trade skills, especially in construction, electrical trades or plumbing. The bill received strong bipartisan support and is now law.

“There is still a long way to go, but we are making great progress toward a brighter, fairer economic future for all Illinoisans,” Carroll said. “I will continue to fight to ensure the next generation of workers have fair salaries, lower taxes and the employment prospects they deserve.”

GURNEE, Ill. – Residents are invited to join state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, for a seminar called How to Start a Small Business in Lake County. The seminar is free and open to the public and will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Warren-Newport Public Library located at 224 O’Plaine Road in Gurnee.

“I know from starting my own consulting business that launching a personal venture can be a daunting task; it can be difficult to know where to begin,” said Mason. “To address those challenges, I wanted to host a seminar that gives residents the resources and empowerment to take those bold first steps into entrepreneurship.”

How to Start a Small Business in Lake County will be led by Mitch Bienvenue of the Illinois Small Business Development and International Trade Center. Mason also maintains a business of the month program to recognize existing operations that go above and beyond by serving and giving back to the community.

“I’m proud to have sponsored several pieces of legislation that make Illinois a better place to start and grow a small business, and I am excited to be offering this seminar,” said Mason. “I look forward to meeting with residents at this event, and I’m grateful to the Illinois Small Business Development and International Trade Center for being such an enthusiastic partner on this event.”

​

RED BUD, Ill. – State Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is helping provide tax relief for job creators with his backing of a new law expanding a current tax credit to include manufacturing and production machinery and equipment.

“Hard-working business owners deserve relief from taxes and the constant government red tape placed on them and that remains one of my top priorities,” Reitz said. “We need to build a stronger Illinois, and we have to start by giving more support to our businesses and job creators. This tax relief will do that while also help lowering the cost of goods manufactured in Illinois.”

Reitz is backing Senate Bill 689, which expands the Manufacturer’s Purchase Credit, a tax credit to pay for production-related property and machinery that manufacturers need to run their businesses. This bill builds up numerous other tax credits and jobs programs to bring a thriving economy back to underserved areas of Illinois. The law passed with strong bipartisan support and is now law.

“When manufacturers can afford the tools they need to sell their goods at reasonable prices, the entire community benefits,” Reitz said. “This bill will help create sustainable jobs, make local goods more affordable and keep foreign corporations from hurting our businesses. Illinoisans deserve an economy that works for them, and I will continue to work to make sure they get it.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, is working to expand vocational jobs training opportunities in Illinois with his support of a law creating the Training in Building Trades Program, which awards grants to community organizations that offer jobs training classes.

“College isn’t the right choice for every child” Connor said. “Vocational training helps kids not cut out for college and leads to practical, sustainable careers that this law will reinforce.  Illinois families deserve reliable jobs that pay them enough to be comfortable, not bare-boned work that leaves them trapped in a cycle of bills.”

Continuing his efforts to boost economic opportunity and practical, good-paying jobs, Connor passed House Bill 2304, which creates the Training in Building Trades Program in the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The goal of this program is to provide opportunities for people between 18 and 35 to learn trade skills, especially in construction, electrical trades or plumbing. Connor’s bill is also required to give grants to at least three organizations in five geographic areas in Illinois: Central, Northeastern, Southern, Western and Metro-East. The bill received robust bipartisan support and is now law.

“Companies in Illinois are finding that there aren’t enough skilled workers with the necessary vocational training to fill jobs already available in the state.  This law is just one of many I have passed so we can grow a thriving economy for our communities, and I plan on many more,” Connor said. “We are going to build up a state with decent salaries, accessible jobs training and affordable college, and where the middle class doesn’t shoulder a skyrocketing property tax burden. It’s time for a stronger Illinois, and the future is looking brighter every day as a result.”