North Cook News

Operating a small business within the parameters of Illinois' ever-thickening regulatory code is becoming so complicated that it may not be feasible to remain profitable in the near future.

I've heard this from many of my contemporaries, as I'm sure many lawmakers have. But despite our pleas to ease up on adding more costly legislation, it seems the brain trust in Springfield is determined to red tape our businesses shut for good.

This administration has made numerous cost-raising decisions, from raising energy costs to labor prices. They are expanding employer expenditures for employees with workers' compensation and beyond. They've even found time to raise the cost of defending oneself from regulatory infraction-related litigation.

Is it any wonder our economy is on the brink of recession and our unemployment rate is among the worst in the nation?

Writing a regulatory code that allows small businesses to remain competitive is good for our state and, frankly, should be a top priority of whoever is in office, regardless of party. Small businesses make up most of our economy and are the largest employer, yet it often feels like we get the least consideration when new regulations are written.

People need to understand that helping small businesses doesn't have to hurt workers. We can thrive together, but that's not the reality of what lawmakers are passing. Listen to small business owners and reduce back-breaking regulations before it's too late.