Illinois’ small businesses face mounting challenges in every direction. The cost of ownership keeps climbing, making it harder for local businesses to succeed. Sky-high energy rates, excessive regulations, and frivolous lawsuits continue to pile up – draining resources, stifling economic growth, and killing opportunities for new job creation.
These accumulating costs, otherwise known as stacked costs, make it nearly impossible for small businesses to thrive in Illinois.
One of the most pressing issues facing the Illinois small business community is rising energy costs. Illinois residents already pay some of the highest electricity rates in the Midwest, making it more expensive to power machinery, maintain production, and keep operations running. When energy costs soar, small manufacturers who depend on affordable energy are forced to make tough choices between sustaining business operations and appropriately compensating their workforces.
In addition to high energy costs, excessive regulations force business owners to spend more time on red tape. Every dollar spent on unnecessary compliance drains valuable resources that businesses could allocate toward job growth, innovation and expansion.
House Bill 1154 is just the latest example of lawmakers making things worse for small business owners.
Instead of reforming a broken legal system, this bill would fuel more abuse by expanding the potential scope of damages awarded in lawsuits. This would ultimately lead to higher costs and fewer resources for businesses that are already struggling with rising inflation.
As the owner of Giant Finishing, I am calling on lawmakers to prioritize legal reform during this legislative session. Illinois doesn’t need more red tape. We need real solutions that support hardworking small business owners.
