California recently passed legislation enabling businesses to incorporate in that state as a Benefit Corporation. Similar legislation is on the governor’s desk in New York. The FSBA Public Policy Committee has been working with the Illinois Environmental Council to draft a bill for Illinois and secure sponsors in the state legislature.
The initial Illinois Power Association’s procurement plan for 2012, currently being reviewed by the Illinois Commerce Commission, contained provisions to offer Renewable Energy Credits from distributed solar energy systems. Unfortunately, these provisions have been removed. The FSBA Public Policy Committee are working with the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) and the Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) to ensure that distributed solar is included in next year’s procurement plan.
If you have an A-frame/sandwich board sign on a Chicago sidewalk or use flag signs in the public way—Watch Out! Starting immediately, CDOT will be issuing citations for these, along with a $500 fine.
According to the Department of Housing and Economic Development, there is no permit for these signs because they are considered unsafe for pedestrians and present untenable liability for the City.
Please take action to protect your business by removing your sign by Friday 9/30, and share this information with other businesses in your area.
Public policy has little to no meaning to many business people. It should. If the term invokes disinterest, think of it as change strategy that could directly impact your (triple) bottom line. Sustainable business needs to have a much larger presence than it does; the “other side’s” voice is too often all our leaders hear. Continue reading »
GreenChoice Bank is a community bank with a mission to promote greater environmental, social and financial well-being. GreenChoice – who recently opened their flagship location in Logan Square at the Green Exchange – became a sustainability-oriented business after they acquired a longtime community bank. Continue reading »
This program is designed to give local small business owners across the greater Chicago area resources to grow. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses helps small businesses create jobs and economic opportunity by providing entrepreneurs with greater access to business education, financial capital, and business support services. Participants in the program will gain practical business knowledge and skills that can be put to work immediately, such as contract negotiation, marketing, accounting, and people management. Continue reading »
A few booths remain for businesses that want to exhibit at the Small Business Expo held by The Office of the City Treasurer. The event is Friday, October 7th from 8:30am-3:30pm at the UIC Forum. The fee is $350.
In the past, there have been over 3,000 attendees. Attendance is free.
Register at www.chicagocitytreasurer.com.
Rogue Element is a strategic branding agency with a commitment to environmental sustainability. Through their “Green Grant” program, they provide a year’s worth of services – including communications strategy, branding and design – to nonprofits and small businesses that focus on green and sustainable practices. One applicant is chosen annually by an independent review board composed of one designer and two individuals with experience in both sustainability and financial oversight. Owner Allison Manley is proud of the opportunity the Green Grant program has provided their business to give something back to the green community in an organized way.
Continue reading »
On May 9, 2011, the FSBA Public Policy Committee signed on to a letter written by the American Sustainable Business Council to Senator Max Baucus, chair of the Senate Finance Committee. The letter advocated support for limits on the billions of dollars oil companies receive in subsidies from the federal government. The full text of the letter can be found below. Continue reading »
On May 25, 2011, the FSBA Public Policy Committee sent a letter to Senator Mark Kirk urging him to vote against any bill or amendment that would reduce funding to the Environmental Protection Agency. The Committee’s letter focused on the tangible business interests that are inherently protected by a well-funded EPA. The full text of the letter to Senator Kirk is below. Continue reading »
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