The board of directors has decided to move forward with in-person events. Our first in person event will be Coffee & Conversations on March 17, from 9-10 am at Michael's Coffee Shop.


We will be following IDPH guidelines, so please bring a mask to wear when you aren't able to socially distance or are drinking your coffee. We are also limiting attendance to 15 people, RSVP will be required.

All eyes are on the Senate this week as they return for another legislative session. Illinois Chamber President and CEO Todd Maisch breaks down what to expect this week and how the Chamber is following Pritzker's proposed tax increases.

Listen to the 2-Minute Drill

 

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Have You Heard of the PRO Act?

The Protect the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act) was reintroduced in the U.S. House earlier this month, and will likely be voted on next week.  The U.S. Chamber strongly OPPOSES the PRO Act as it would dramatically change the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) in ways harmful to workers, employers, and the economy.  Among other things, it will negatively impact workers by 1) threatening private ballots during union organizing votes; 2) nullifying Right-to-Work laws, and; 3) undermining the gig economy.  

If you feel strongly about this, consider clicking here to tell Congress to oppose the PRO Act by using the U.S. Chamber's one-click advocacy tool.

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

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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• 3/23 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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• 3/24 COVID-Related Updates for Employee Benefit Plans: COVID relief bills recently passed by Congress include provisions significantly impacting employee benefit plans. In this 60-minute webinar, our presenting attorneys will discuss COVID-related changes to health and welfare plans, retirement plans and other benefits. (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)

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• 4/6 Canceling Cancel Culture: How to Safeguard Your Reputation from Bad Publicity: Crisis management specialist and media lawyer, Ryan Jacobson, will help identify situations most likely to harm to your company’s reputation, determine when to employ a strategy, and guide you through the “do’s” and “don’ts” of combating bad publicity – within and outside of your organization. (REGISTER)

Illinois' cash-strapped child care providers soon will have an opportunity to apply for another round of extra, short-term assistance.  This comes via $331 million in "restoration grants" fueled by federal aid that was approved in December, and programs can use this funding to help cover January-March operations. 

The new help arrives on the heels of a similar, $290 million effort that helped thousands of providers weather the challenges of COVID last fall and early winter.  ReadyNation continues to pursue not only these short-term but also longer-range resources for child care and other early childhood providers, many of whom were facing enormous challenges well before the pandemic began — and who are so key to the stability and productivity of our workforce.


Grant applications face a March 31 deadline; for more info, visit https://www.ilgateways.com/financial-opportunities/restoration-grants. 

 

Our local SBDC office in Edwardsville is hosting 3 upcoming webinars:
 

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. 

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!

Metro East Humane Society Highland Soft Opening
We're ready to celebrate! The soft opening of our Metro East Humane Society Highland facility is scheduled for Saturday, April 24 from 11 AM to 3 PM. Please join us for tours, adoptable animals, and more information on volunteer and giving opportunities. Save the date and please share this exciting news!

Masks will be required to attend. We will follow COVID precautions as outlined by the state and CDC.
Details:
Metro East Humane Society took over Highland Animal Shelter in late 2019. All animals were adopted into homes, relocated to our MEHS Edwardsville facility, or placed with other animal rescues. MEHS began renovations to HAS in early 2020 with plans to reopen as the MEHS Highland facility, but had to pause due to COVID-19. We’re thrilled to be reopening to the public April 24, 2021 with a soft open! Join us from 11 AM-3 PM for a tour, adoptable animals, and to learn more about how you can support MEHS Highland through volunteer and giving opportunities! Like our FB page, visit www.mehs.org, email info@mehs.org, or call us at 618.656.4405 with any questions!

The Chamber office will be closed March 21 - 27. If you need immediate help, please speak with a board member. E-mails and voicemails will be returned as soon as possible.