93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
HB3998

 

Introduced 1/9/2004, by Carolyn H. Krause

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Small Business Advisory Commission Act. Creates the Small Business Advisory Commission within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to examine and evaluate the responsiveness of State agencies to small businesses in Illinois and to recommend small business development initiatives. Sets forth procedures by which members are appointed to the Commission. Sets forth procedures for the operation of the Commission. Sets forth the duties of the Commission. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2010. Effective January 1, 2005.


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FISCAL NOTE ACT
MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

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1     AN ACT concerning small business development.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Small
5 Business Advisory Commission Act.
 
6     Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
7     "Agency" has the definition set forth in Section 1-20 of
8 the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.
9     "Department" means the Department of Commerce and Economic
10 Opportunity.
11     "Small business" has the definition set forth in Section 5
12 of the Small Business Advisory Act.
 
13     Section 10. Commission created.
14     (a) The Small Business Advisory Commission is created
15 within the Department.
16     (b) The Commission shall consist of 23 members as follows:
17 15 members appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be
18 designated as the chair of the Commission at the time of
19 appointment; 2 members appointed by the President of the
20 Senate; 2 members appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; 2
21 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of
22 Representatives; and 2 members appointed by the House Minority
23 Leader. Each member appointed by the Governor must have
24 recognized ability in small business administration,
25 development, or management or in labor relations. Each member
26 appointed by a legislative leader must be a member of the
27 General Assembly and must be a member of the same caucus as the
28 person who appointed him or her.
29     Each member shall serve at the pleasure of the person, or
30 his or her successor, who appointed the member. If a vacancy
31 occurs in the Commission membership, the vacancy shall be

 

 

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1 filled in the same manner as the initial appointment.
2     Commission members shall serve without compensation, but
3 may be reimbursed for their reasonable travel expenses from
4 funds available for that purpose.
 
5     Section 15. Operation of the Commission.
6     (a) The Commission may begin to conduct business upon the
7 appointment of a majority of the voting members, including the
8 chair.
9     (b) The Commission must meet at least once each calendar
10 quarter. A quorum is 12 members. Meetings of the Commission are
11 subject to the Open Meetings Act, and the Commission must
12 afford an opportunity for public comment at each of its
13 meetings.
14     (c) The Commission may adopt bylaws and may establish
15 committees and officers as it deems necessary.
16     (d) The Department must provide staff and administrative
17 support services to the Commission.
 
18     Section 20. Duties of the Commission. The Commission shall
19 examine and evaluate the responsiveness of State agencies to
20 small businesses in Illinois and shall recommend small business
21 development initiatives to the Governor, the General Assembly,
22 the Small Business Ombudsman, and State agencies. The
23 Commission shall examine and evaluate all of the following:
24         (1) Agencies and programs that provide developmental
25     and expansion assistance to new and existing small
26     businesses to determine the effectiveness of existing
27     services and the need for alternative or existing services.
28         (2) The impact of the Illinois tax laws on small
29     business and how those tax laws compare to those of other
30     states.
31         (3) The need for a single point of contact for small
32     business start-ups provided by the State to facilitate,
33     assist, and complete State permit and licensing
34     requirements.

 

 

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1         (4) The need for a small business cabinet to serve as a
2     forum for airing proposals and engaging in
3     agency-to-agency dialogue about issues concerning small
4     business.
5         (5) The need for a comprehensive communication
6     strategy for small business that evaluates:
7             (A) intra-agency and interagency communication and
8         coordination of small business assistance for the
9         increased benefit of Illinois small businesses;
10             (B) the need for a survey of Illinois small
11         businesses every 2 years;
12             (C) existing Internet websites or the need for the
13         creation of a web page designed for start-ups and small
14         business owners and managers that includes information
15         on government financial assistance programs, permits,
16         licenses, incentives, tax information, and links to
17         local small-business resources; and
18             (D) the exchange of public information between the
19         Department, the Small Business Ombudsman, other State
20         agencies, and other relevant sources.
21         (6) The need for a small business micro-loan program
22     targeted at developing and expanding small businesses.
23         (7) Any other matters relevant to small businesses.
 
24     Section 25. Repeal. This Act is repealed on January 1,
25 2010.
 
26     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January
27 1, 2005.