A recent survey indicates that nearly half of small businesses across the country are facing challenges in paying rent, yet many remain hopeful about their sales prospects for the final quarter of 2024. According to the small business network Alignable, 48% of small business owners struggled to make a full rent payment in September, marking a three-year high. In Illinois, the situation is slightly better, with 43% reporting similar difficulties—the highest percentage since last February. Despite these challenges, the National Retail Federation forecasts a 3% increase in winter holiday spending compared to 2023.
Governor J.B. Pritzker, along with the governors of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware, has expressed concern over rising electricity costs. They sent a letter to PJM Interconnection, the grid operator for northern Illinois and the surrounding states, urging urgent action to tackle the escalating electricity bills resulting from record-high prices in the region’s capacity auction. The governors argue that these price increases demonstrate a lack of consideration for vulnerable communities across state lines.
Investigations into Paycheck Protection Program fraud in Illinois continue, with state workers implicated. The Executive Ethics Commission has released 12 new reports on the matter, adding to the 17 previously published. The investigations involve employees from five different state agencies under the jurisdiction of the Inspector General, including the Departments of Human Services, Healthcare & Family Services, Children & Family Services, Postsecondary & Career Expectations, and Natural Resources.
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