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Office Supplies Discount Program
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Greetings!
The SBAC continues to grow at an amazing pace, with about ten new businesses joining the organization on a weekly basis. Our advocacy initiatives also continue to gain steam. The Small Business Contract Act, drafted and strongly supported by the SBAC, recently passed the Illinois house and will be moving to the Senate. This important bill will set aside government contracts for small businesses, increasing our revenue and leveling the playing field for our members. The Health Benefit Purchasing Co-op bill, also strongly supported by the SBAC, also moved through the Illinois house. This bill will increase the opportunities for small business owners to pool together for better health insurance. We also had a productive time in Springfield, where we had the opportunity to talk with many of our state legislators about the importance of empowering small and medium business owners. Finally, we met with Lieutenant Governor Shiela Simon to advocate on behalf of our members. The meeting was quite productive and we look forward to working with her on our small business initiatives. The time has come for us to work together, empower one another and have a strong voice on the issues that impact us. We are so excited to see it happening. The message is resonating.
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First Annual Celebration
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The SBAC has been in existence for approximately one year. During this time, over 240 businesses have joined the organization and we have entered into numerous strategic partnerships bringing down costs for our members.
As a result of our Happy Hours, breakfasts, evening events and introductions, our members have done a tremendous amount of business with one another. To celebrate our inaugural year, the SBAC will be having a celebration, fundraiser and silent auction on June 16th.
This celebration will take place at the Aqua building located in downtown Chicago at 225 North Columbus Drive and begin at 6:00pm.
We will also be having a silent auction prior to the celebration, and a live auction at the event. Our next newsletter will include our sponsors and information on how to buy tickets. For now, please save the date for this exciting event.
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SBAC In Springfield
Several SBAC members traveled to Springfield in support of the bills we have both drafted and supported. With the assistance of Dan Johnson-Weinberger, our fearless leader in Springfield, we spoke with legislators about the pressing issues facing small businesses. Representative Karen May offically welcomed the SBAC to the house.
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Front left to right: Elliot Richardson, Sharon Saunders, Tom Castillo, Christina Granfield, Rep. Carol Sente, Rep. Daniel Biss, Rep. Keith Farnham, Blanca Campos, Melissa Pizzaro, TyJuan Cratic, Eric Quintanilla
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The SBAC would also like to thank Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon for taking time to meet with us. With your support, we will continue to push the agenda of small and medium size businesses forward.
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From left to right:Mike Cavanaugh, Melonie Boone, Dan Johnson-Weinberger, Elliot Richardson, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, Jeff Richardson, Jeff Richardson, TyJuan Cratic, Blanca Campos
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To learn more about the various pieces of legislation we are supporting and what their current status is, click below.
SBAC Supported Legislation:
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Announcements
SBAC Monthly Happy Hour Taking Place Tomorrow, April 28th, At Whiskey Bar & Grill
Come join SBAC members tomorrow, April 28th, for our monthly happy hour. The event will take place at Whiskey Bar & Grill in downtown Chicago, starting at 6 p.m. Whiskey Bar & Grill is located at 1015 N. Rush St.
As always, our members and guests will have the opportunity to meet and talk business with other business owners and professionals from throughout the Chicagoland area. We encourage you to come and bring guests to this monthly networking event that has been proven to generate many new business opportunities.
To RSVP ahead of time contact Blanca Campos at Blanca@SBACIL.org or at (847) 990-7909.
Next SBAC Educational Forum Set For May 11th On "Protecting Your Business"  Our next educational forum will be held on May 11th, from 8:00am-10:30am. The presenters at this forum will focus on how to "Protect Your Business." There will be open networking both before and after the forum. The forum will take place on the 14th floor of Two First National Plaza located at 20 S. Clark, Chicago, IL.
Additional information will be available next week but save the date for this important forum. To RSVP Contact Blanca Campos at Blanca@SBACIL.org.
Geoffrey Kasselman Of Op2mize Won Two Major Awards At Chicago Association of Realtors' 2010 Sales Awards  Geoffrey Kasselman, SIOR, LEED AP won two major awards at the Chicago Association of Realtors' 2010 Sales Awards including the Commercial Platinum Gross Sales and Commercial Platinum Gross Lease Square Footage.
At CAR's request, Geoff gave an inspirational speech from the House of Blues stage to a packed house of over 700 peers and attendees!
SBAC Federal Legislative Update Published In Jewish Business News Chicago The SBAC is happy to announce that our Federal Legislative Update on lower "swap" fees was recently published in Jewish Business News Chicago. The article features information on the Durbin amendment that authorizes the Federal Reserve to cap the interchange or "swipe" fees financial institutions charge merchants for debit card approvals. The amendment would cap debit swipe fees at 12 cents, a 70 percent drop from the average fee today. The statute further directs the Federal Reserve to publish a final rule by April 21 of this year, which would take effect on July 21. The Fed has indicated it intends to meet these deadlines unless Congress directs otherwise. To read the complete article by Blanca Campos go to, "Federal Legislative Update: Lower Swap Fees May Be Coming Soon." |
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All the best,
Elliot Richdarson
Small Business Advocacy Council
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