Illinois EIC Expansion would have boosted small business ecosystem

Small business owner Leslie Allison-Seei penned the following letter in response to the Chicago Tribune’s endorsement of Illinois Earned Income Credit (EIC) expansion.

I was encouraged to see the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board take a positive stance on the Illinois Earned Income Credit (EIC) expansion last week, but unfortunately, that didn’t translate into positive action from the state legislature during the last day of the legislative session. This is disappointing for entrepreneurs like me because Main Street is still more than a year after initial shelter in place orders, and so are small businesses like mine that support those businesses. We need the support of more policies.

My husband and I run sweepstakes and promotions for restaurants and retailers in Chicagoland and nationwide. Over the course of the pandemic, we have pivoted numerous times in order to keep our heads above water. Here in Illinois, the small business community is truly an ecosystem. It’s a vibrant community, but that also means if something impacts one part of the system, it impacts the rest of us. When restaurants shut down, not only are the suppliers and the support systems affected, so are our neighborhoods.

EIC expansion would help those of us who are still struggling and have not received adequate federal relief by putting money directly into the pockets of working-class Illinoisans, hard-working Illinoisans who will use this money to pay their bills and support the small businesses that keep our economy going.

This is smart tax policy. It is an investment in our communities and an opportunity for Illinoisians to take on the responsibility of uplifting our own economy. This is the exact financial empowerment we need in the wake of a deadly pandemic and crushing economic crisis.

I am disappointed to see the Illinois General Assembly did not pass this legislation in time for Monday’s adjournment deadline.

-Leslie Allison-Seei, Owner, Robust Promotions, LLC