Join some of your favorite Chamber friends for delightful conversation discussing Joy & A Positive Outlook on Life at Coffee & Conversations with our moderator, Lisa Sauer! 

Join us for an immersive virtual business after hours!

We're using a new technology called Kumospace. It's so easy to use and is a lot of fun. Here's a few highlights.

• We'll be in a virtual bar! You can complete the experience by taking your avatar to the bar to refill your drink.
• Your avatar can wander into and out of conversations as you walk around the room(s), at your own leisure.
• No ZOOM!

Sign up to attend Business After Hours here. Once you've registered you'll be sent the link to our virtual room. 
Here's a quick overview of how to use Kumospace. While you're there, be sure to sign in using an email address so you're ready for Business After Hours.

 

The Chamber is putting together new resident packets. If you are interested in including something in these packets please contact Nancie to arrange a pickup time. We will need approximately 100 items.

More bad news on HB3652

HB 3653 Concerns: Trespassing on Private Property Provision

The Illinois Chamber would like to alert members regarding our concern with provision within HB3653, the criminal justice reform legislation passed last month during the lame duck session. 

Our friends at the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police released the following information concerning private property rights and trespassers:

Why Illinois citizens should be concerned about HB 3653
There is language in the bill that will endanger our communities and make citizens in towns and cities of every size feel less safe. For example, if this bill is signed:

• If you call the police because an unwanted person is peeking in your windows or standing in your yard or place of business and you don’t want them there for a legitimate reason, you can call the police, but the police will not be able to physically remove that person. All they can do is issue a citation (like a traffic ticket). Then, if the unwanted person still doesn’t leave and is not being threatening, the police will have no authority to arrest them or get them to “move along.” This applies to all Class B and Class C misdemeanors. Page 326.

Here at the Chamber, our ultimate concern is that businesses will no longer be able to remove trespassing individuals disruptive to operations. Whether that be our refineries, factories, financial centers, or local restaurants. It is imperative that businesses of all sizes and sectors have the ability to remove uncooperative or unwanted persons, whether they be protestors, dissatisfied customers, or politically-motivated actors.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding this provision within HB 3653 please contact us at ckaericher@ilchamber.org
 

Governor Proposes to "Cut Corporate Loopholes"

The Following Information has been provided courtesy of Keith Staats, Executive Director of the Illinois Chamber Tax Institute, and was originally published in the Tax Institute's member newsletter. Keith's content is provided weekly to Tax Institute members. 

As you may have seen in Crain's Chicago Business, the Governor announced some limited details of the budget he plans to propose for Fiscal Year 2022 beginning on July 1, 2021. According to the announcement, the Governor does not plan to impose an income tax rate hike. He proposes to "balance" the budget for the upcoming fiscal year through increasing taxes on businesses by, among other things, eliminating so-called "corporate loopholes" worth $900 million per year.

Natural Gas. Natural Advantage. (NGNA) – Natural Gas, Natural Advantage is an initiative of the U.S. Chamber’s Global Energy Institute (GEI) that showcases the benefits that natural gas provides to the economy, environment and natural security. Through targeted outreach at the state and local level, NGNA is educating Americans about the unique advantages of natural gas and advocating communities to support its continued production and use.

• 2/17 2021 WAGE AND HOUR REQUIREMENTS: IS YOUR COMPANY IN COMPLIANCE? (Webinar) 
• 2/17 Workers’ Compensation Law Update for 2021 (Webinar) 
• 2/23 Terminating the Problem Employee (Webinar) NEW EVENT
• 2/24 Understanding Disability in the Workplace: LTD, STD, Workers’ Compensation and Return to Work (Webinar) 
• 2/25 Compensation Trends You Need to Know For 2021 (Webinar) NEW EVENT
• 3/10 Supervisory Training for New and Seasoned Supervisors (Effingham, IL) 
• 3/18 How to Play the Game: Opportunities and Pitfalls in a “Gamified” Workplace (Webinar) POSTPONED EVENT – PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 27

Main point: The SBA has reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. This round of the PPP will continue to be processed through participating financial institutions and will be available through March 31, 2021. This round is open to both First Draw PPP Loans and a Second Draw PPP Loan.

On December 22 the Federal Department of Labor (DOL) published a Final Rule changing the FLSA regulations for tipped employees. The Final Rule takes effect 60 days after publication. A caveat before we dig into the Final Rule; the change affects only federal law. As with all things wage-and-hour-related, many states, and some local governments, ... continue reading.

Don't forget this is the last weekend to shop at Becker's in Highland! 

PS: It's Valentine's Day on Sunday!

SIUE is developing non-credit and credit educational opportunities in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Linked below is a survey asking what topics might be of interest to your organization and the format in which the opportunities would be delivered. Your answers will help us develop sessions, courses, and workshops that meet your needs.

We appreciate any feedback that you are willing to provide in this 5-minute survey.

SURVEY