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Greetings!
This has already proven to be busy and exciting year for the SBAC. Indeed, numerous new businesses have joined the SBAC this year. Our health insurance initiative continues to gain momentum and more SBAC members have started saving money in our Office Depot program. Our list of strategic partners continues to grow, more offices are available through our office sharing program and the business exchanged between our members continues to increase.
We have teamed with WineStyles of Northbrook for a wine-tasting, held our monthly Happy hour at Las Palmas and already hosted six mini-meetings. We have an educational forum scheduled in February and our next Happy Hour will be held on February 17th. Of course, each member of the SBAC will continue to be invited to at least one mini-meeting each month where they can talk with other business owners and professionals in a more relaxed and informal setting.
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Health Insurance Update
The SBAC and Arthur J. Gallagher continue to move aggressively forward on the SBAC health insurance initiative. Through the power of critical mass, and by utilizing the expertise of our members, it is our intention to form an insurance pool that will offer more affordable, accessible and predictable health insurance options for our members. We will use all means at our disposal to bring down the soaring costs of health care. We will look to our members with expertise in fitness, nutrition, stress relief and medical screening to form a wellness program to further decrease health care costs for our members.
This past November, Arthur J. Gallagher held a forum with SBAC members to provide an update and answer questions about our initiative. Video of the forum can be viewed here. As SBAC members continue to complete and return census forms, our ability to establish a quality health insurance plan will increase. Please contact Blanca Campos with any questions about our SBAC health insurance initiative.
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SBAC Newsmakers
 Op2mize Negotiates $200 Million Chicago Data Center Deal
Crain's Chicago Business reported that in one of the largest deals of the year in Chicago's Loop, Op2mize represented the buyer of a 443,446 SF critical operations and data center facility at 840 S. Canal Street.
Located adjacent to Chicago's Loop, the eight-story critical operations and data center facility on 5.23 acres will be redeveloped into a world-class multi-tenant data center and trading floor space with total project costs of more than $200 million dollars. When completed it will become one of the largest data centers in the Midwest.
To see the complete press release go to: Op2mize Negotiates $200M Chicago Data Center Acquisition
Chicago Tribune Reports On Erica Crohn Minchella's Founding Of
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Association Of Foreclosure Defense Attorneys
The Chicago Tribune's Mary Umberger recently reported on the current state of foreclosures and how it has moved SBAC member, Erica Crohn Minchella, to found the Association of Foreclosure Defense Attorneys.
In the article, entitled "Foreclosure crisis gives rise to defense attorneys group," Minchella discusses the foreclosure crises, the options available to those facing foreclosure and the factors that may impact the ultimate outcome.
 SBAC In Crain's Enterprise City Blog
A blog post I wrote was recently published in Crain's Enterprise City Blog. The blog post, entitled, "Small-biz owners tap the power of critical mass," talks about the way small and medium size businesses can band together to bring down their cost of doing business and increase productivity.
We would like to thank Ann Dwyer and Crain's for publishing the post. We must also note that while I may have written this blog post, the success of the SBAC is the function of the hard work and dedication of our founders, the board, our members and the SBAC's dedicated staff. Without all of you, there is no SBAC.
To read the complete article go to: Small-biz owners tap the power of critical mass |
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SBAC February Educational Forum And Networking
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As part of the SBAC's continuing series of educational forums, best-selling author Maribeth Kuzmeski will be our feature speaker in February. The event will include early networking, Maribeth's presentation "Connect to Close," and a panel discussion. We will close with coffee and some additional time to network.
Educational Forum Agenda 8 - 8:30am - Breakfast and Networking 8:30 - 9:15am - Author Maribeth Kuzmeski Presentation 9:15 - 10am - Open Forum With Guest Panel 10 - 10:30am - Coffee and Networking
Date February 9th Time 8 - 10:30am Location Two First National Plaza 20 S. Clark St., 14th floor Chicago IL
For more details and a complete program CLICK HERE.
Space is limited so to RSVP contact Blanca Campos at (847) 990-7909 or at Blanca@SBACIL.org.
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Announcements
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SBAC January Happy Hour At Las Palmas
 Thank you Las Palmas in Highland Park for hosting another great SBAC Happy Hour!
The first happy hour of 2011 turned out to be one of our best attended in the north suburbs as we welcomed many new members. SBAC Co-Chair of Membership Mike Cavanaugh spoke to the attendees about the importance of small businesses looking out for one another so that we can all prosper together by working together.
Thank you everyone who attended and we look forward to seeing you all at our upcoming February Happy Hour in the city on February 17th. Details and location will soon be announced.
SBAC Updates Readers Of Jewish Business News On Illinois Civil Union Law
In the Jewish Business News' January edition, the SBAC again provided updates on legislation impacting small businesses. A focus of one of these updates was the recently passed Illinois Civil Union Law and the impact this may have on businesses and individuals alike.
To read the SBAC's complete legislative update go to: State Legislative Update: Illinois Civil Union Law
Responding to Regulatory Agency Complaints; A Practioner's Perspective
SBAC member Chuck Krugel recently published his article, "Responding to Regulatory Agency Complaints; A Practioner's Perspective" in the January 2011 edition of Law Journal Newsletter's Employment Law Strategist.
Additionally, on February 25, 2011, from 9:30 AM until about 11 AM, Chuck will be presenting a labor and employment law primer for business at Chicago's City Hall, Department of Business Affairs, Room 800.
You can register by contacting Alfredo Camarena at alfredo.camarena@cityofchicago.org or 312-744-5344.
Residential Mortgage Lender The McBreen Group Offers SBAC Members $1,000 Credit Towards Their Closing Costs
The SBAC would like to welcome one of our newest members The McBreen Group, and announce that they would like to offer all SBAC Members a $1,000 credit towards closing costs with their completed loan through the McBreen Group.
As a residential mortgage lender, the McBreen Group offers a variety of home loans. For a free evaluation and consultation of which loan program would work best for your individual situation, please fill out a secure online application by clicking on The McBreen Group Loan Application.
Click on "SBAC Member" where it prompts each applicant to select which staff member they have been in contact with so that you can take full advantage of this benefit.
Dan Cook To Appear On CNBC's Closing Bell This Friday
 Dan Cook, the CEO and Senior Market Analyst of IG Markets is scheduled to appear as a guest on CNBC's Closing Bell this Friday at 3 pm. The topic of discussion is scheduled to be the results of the GDP figures that will be released that morning.
To learn more about Dan and IG Markets go to: www.igmarkets.com
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All the best,
Elliot Richardson
Small Business Advocacy Council |
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