(The Center Square) – Three Illinois Senate Republicans called for passing a legislation package they say would bring relief to small businesses and their employees across the state.
Senators said the bills aim to do so while also considering current state budget issues.
In a news conference, State Sens. Seth Lewis, R-Carol Stream, Dave Syverson, R-Cherry Valley, and Craig Wilcox, R-Woodstock, said they want to make Illinois a place where people want to live, instead of leave, by creating thoughtful policies to support businesses and individuals.
Lewis said SB 3786, of which he is the main sponsor, would provide a $100 tax credit to Illinois businesses for each year they have been headquartered in the state.
“It sends a clear message that staying in Illinois should be rewarded and not taken for granted. We also recognize that businesses are about people,” Lewis said.
The legacy tax credit bill would also provide credits to workers, a $100 credit for employees and an additional $25 for unionized workers.
Another bill aiming to reduce tax burdens for Illinois workers is Wilcox’s SB 3792, a “no tax on tips” policy that he said would help both tipped workers by allowing them to keep more income and businesses with employee retention and job satisfaction.
Syverson mentioned his bill, SB 2763, which he said would give employees of small businesses more choice when it comes to insurance.
“The only ones we don’t allow to deduct the premiums are struggling employees who work for small employers that don’t offer health insurance,” Syverson said. “They have to pay these large premiums and they do not get a chance to even deduct it.”
The trio said they are open to conversation on the subject of affordability, mainly calling on lawmakers across the aisle to consider fiscal responsibility when addressing the topic.
“The total cost of all of these things to help small businesses is less than what one incentive package we give to one large employer coming to Illinois,” Syverson said.
Though none of the lawmakers’ bills have been heard in Senate committees yet, they said there is still time for their initiatives to be added on to a final budget package, calling for bipartisan support.
