March 22, 2010 :: LPCC, Legislative

LPCC Announces 2010 Legislative Agenda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce Announces 2010 Legislative Agenda
Board is Committed to Helping Businesses Grow and Succeed

CHICAGO (March 22, 2010) – The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) today announced that they approved and announced its 2010 Legislative Agenda.  The LPCC’s Legislative Agenda is distributed to elected officials and other entities that effect public policy decisions related to business growth, job creation, economic development and stability of the Lincoln Park neighborhood and the surrounding region.  The LPCC’s Government Affairs Committee and Board of Directors – comprised of small business owners and representatives from key neighborhood anchors – were both instrumental in the drafting of the 2010 Legislative Agenda, and provided final approval for its release this month.

While Illinois and the United States, remain at a financial crossroads, the LPCC sees the potential for monumental change.  The LPCC supports policy decisions, programming and educational campaigns that provide businesses both large and small the resources they need to remain competitive.  Additionally, the LPCC is passionate about funding and research for methods to free up capital necessary for business and infrastructure investment and other methods of drawing customers to commercial districts.

The LPCC’s Legislative priorities in 2010 include:
•    Repeal of the remaining 0.5% Cook County sales tax often referred to as the “Stroger Tax”;
•    The development and adaptation of parking policies to support local businesses;
•    Opposition to any new state, county, and city taxes that are detrimental to the Lincoln Park business community or LPCC members;
•    Creating programs and initiatives that lead to economic development, job growth, business stability and sustainability; and
•    Increased, responsible funding over the long-term for mass transit and other alternative transportation.

“Our annual Legislative Agenda is a key aspect of our comprehensive Government Affairs Committee that also features a press campaign and advocacy efforts for our membership as necessary,” said Kim Schilf, LPCC President and CEO.  “As businesses struggle to stay competitive and profitable throughout the global economic crisis, the policies implementing today will impact the future of hundreds of business in Lincoln Park and across Chicago.

“Recent streamlining and efficiency efforts by government entities represent a shift in policy that will help limit the waste of precious time and money for small businesses,” Schilf said.  “The LPCC encourages elected officials at all levels of government to consider innovative cost cutting measures for the benefit of their resident and business constituents.”

In 2009, the LPCC was able to advocate on behalf of members with elected officials and other key policy makers in Chicago.  The LPCC was able to support DePaul University’s 10-Year Plan, draft letters to aldermen for specific members concerned over taxes and fees, and continued to strengthen relations with neighborhood organizations – a key segment of decision-makers and influencers in the neighborhood.  It is these achievements that the LPCC hopes to use in 2010 for the benefit of their members and the Lincoln Park community.