Speaker Welch Floats New Progressive Tax Effort 
Earlier this week, Speaker of the House Emanuel "Chris" Welch proposed a new graduated tax effort. While a progressive tax effort was defeated in November, Speaker Welch proposed tying any new revenue generated to paying off Illinois pension debt. At this time, neither Governor Pritzker or Senate President Harmon have echoed support for Speaker Welch's progressive tax proposal. 

Just like the defeated 2020 effort, any change to the tax code that implements a graduated structure would require a constitutional amendment approved by voters. The earliest opportunity for such an amendment would be November of 2022.

Common Grounds 
The Illinois Chamber participated in the first US Chamber Common Grounds event which brings together solutions-focused, bi-partisan federal legislators. The first episode in the series featured Congressman Rodney Davis (IL-13) and Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-6) discussing the needs of the transportation sector as well as other critical subjects like COVID-19 liability for businesses. 

Illinois Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Clark Kaericher posed the following question:

"Discussions are ongoing about another round of COVID-19 relief funding. The Illinois Chamber is a strong advocate for business liability protections and direct aid to small business. Can you tell us how those discussions are progressing?"

Complimentary Webcast Three Part Series! The Biden Administration - What Businesses Need to Know

The Biden administration is signaling significant policy shifts. Business owners and C-Suite executives are encouraged to join us for a series of complimentary webcasts discussing these likely changes and how they will impact your business. 

• Wednesday, March 17, 2021 @ Noon CT -- REGISTER HERE 
  • ​Major Labor & Employment Changes Today and Tomorrow under the Biden Administration presented by Beverly Alfon and Jeff Risch
• ​​Wednesday, March 31, 2021 @ Noon CT -- REGISTER HERE
  • More Regulation and Opportunities for Companies and Banking: What Businesses Can Expect from the Biden Administration presented by Eric Fogel, John Tanselle, and Carrie Hill
• Wednesday, April 14, 2021 @ Noon CT -- REGISTER HERE
  • ​Tax Changes on the Horizon with the Biden Administration presented by Joe Demko, Meredith Murphy, Rebecca Dobbs Bush, and Kelly Haab-Tallitsch

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.

These education events are through the Illinois Chamber. YOU CAN REGISTER AT MEMBER PRICES because the Highland Chamber is a member! 
 

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• 3/9 Illinois Law Changes Coming: Restrictions on the Use of Criminal Restrictions: In this webinar, we will discuss SB1480's Criminal Conviction restrictions. (REGISTER)

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• 3/10 Illinois Law Changes Coming: New Equal Pay & Related Reporting Mandates: In this webinar, we will focus on SB1480's Equal Pay & Related Reporting mandates. (REGISTER)

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• 3/18 How to Play the Game: Opportunities and Pitfalls in a “Gamified” Workplace In this webinar, we will unpack the gamification craze and explore legal traps that employers should account for in considering a gamification strategy (REGISTER)

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• 3/23 Gearing up for President Biden's Emergency COVID-19 Workplace Rules: In this webinar, we will discuss the new OSHA and COVID-19 related guidance and/or standards issued by the Biden Administration (REGISTER)

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• 3/31 Prevailing Wage Updates for 2021 and Beyond: This webinar will discuss and examine the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act and what the Illinois Department of Labor is doing in administrating and enforcing the law. (REGISTER)

As we prepare for what may be the fastest economic growth in two decades, according to the National Retail Federation this week - as high as 8% increase over last year(!) - it is important to get ready.

How will you move past sanitation stations, mask protocol, and curbside delivery?

One key will be to stand out from others.

That shouldn't be news to you since retail is a game of being brilliant on the basics.

And there's nothing more misunderstood or neglected than merchandising.

It's time to change that because good merchandising is how you best attract customers away from mindlessly strolling by your store, driving past in their cars, or keeping their eyes on their smartphones. 

At its heart, visual merchandising snaps our attention to something that either doesn't fit or stands out. 

What we're talking about here is disrupting the brain. 

Discover 9 fresh ideas to visually merchandise your store ....

PPP Forgiveness: 

• • PPP Forgiveness Webinar here 

COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan 

• • Apply for the program at covid19relief.sba.gov 
• • Learn more about the low-interest working capital program for businesses impacted by COVID-19 here. 

Targeted EIDL Advance Grant 

• • Please note that the SBA will contact you if you qualify for this program. 
• • Read FAQs here. 

SVO Grant Program 

• • Please note we are not accepting applications yet, but you can read up on the program with the FAQs here. 

Resource Partners 

• • Find a resource partner near you for one-on-one consulting and/or assistance at www.sba.gov/localassistance. You can set up a virtual appointment with a center near you. 

The 2021 FEDEX Small Business Grant Contest is currently open, but you'll want to hurry up and fill our your entry because the deadline is March 9, 2021.

Attention Highland Area Employers: 
 
HSHS Medical Group recently began notifying local employers of a plan to alter Occupational Health Services at the St. Joseph Highland location beginning March 1, 2021. This decision has been met with disappointment in the community. We understand the frustration, and we are listening to the feedback in order to adjust our plans. We ask for your patience while we find a long-term solution, but I wanted to let you know that we are looking into options that will enable us to extend services beyond March 1, with the goal of continuing many of the current Occupational Services in Highland.   
 
We will keep you updated as plans develop, but in the meantime, please feel free to contact me directly with any questions.
 
Thank you, 
 
Jeff Pollock
Outreach Representative – LeadWell
HSHS Medical Group
4941 Benchmark Centre, Suite 400 - Swansea, IL 62226
Cell: 618-741-0352
Jeff.Pollock@hshs.org
 

Over the past 12 years, Scott Credit Union showed its support for the community by donating nearly $3.7 million, and its employees have volunteered nearly 24,000 hours to a variety of local civic efforts throughout the region. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Scott Credit Union has continued demonstrating its commitment to community through volunteer hours and donations.

SCU offers its staff a Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP), which gives employees a chance to earn prizes for volunteering. Typically, the majority of SCU’s volunteer hours come from employees helping at community events, and the credit union had planned to attend more than 200 in 2020. However, plans changed when the pandemic hit.

Trouw Nutrition, the animal nutrition division of Nutreco, acquired a plant in Southern Texas, US, from ADM Animal Nutrition.

“This acquisition takes our vision to a higher level, adding a greater depth of resources across a broader base of customers,” said Clifton Morgan, General Manager, Hi-Pro Feeds. Trouw Nutrition USA is purchasing and integrating the plant into its Hi-Pro feeds organization.

Lauren Hagan, Assistant Vice President of Bradford National Bank, has graduated from the Future Leaders Alliance (FLA) offered through the Illinois Bankers Association. The graduation commencement was held virtually during the IBA’s annual ONE Conference on Friday, March 5th. The fourteen-month FLA program is dedicated to enhancing the professional development of promising bank leaders through three primary components: education, community service and networking.

WGEL is saluting local active service members on it website.

This week was Senior Airman Brock Schrage United States Air Force, a 2017 Highland High School graduate. You can view the full story here.

Do you know an active service member? Maybe one works for you? Maybe you're related to one? Is there an active service member in your church? If there is, Tom Kennedy at WGEL would love to hear from you, simply send an email to tom@wgel.com. 

Thank you WGEL for taking the time to recognize our active service members!