PROPOSED STATE OF ILLINOIS RULES AFFECTING SMALL BUSINESS
Following are proposed rules of possible interest to small businesses published in the September 8 Illinois Register. During the 45-day comment period, individuals have an opportunity to express their support or opposition to the rule. To submit comments or to learn more about the proposed rules, contact Katy Khayyat at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Entrepreneurship Network Information Center via e-mail at Katy.Khayyat@Illinois.gov or call (800) 252-2923 or (217) 785-8020.
The following proposed regulation will impact drycleaners:
The Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Council of Illinois proposed amendments for “General Program” (35 Ill. Adm. Code 1500; 30 Ill. Reg. 14411) and “Public Information” (2 Ill. Adm. Code 3100; 30 Ill. Reg. 14395). The Part 1500 amendments increase the annual tiered fees that dry cleaning facilities applying for licensure must pay to fund remediation action taken following dry cleaning solvent releases into the environment. The rulemaking also increases the remedial action cost deductible for active and inactive drycleaning facilities from $10,000 to $15,000 for costs incurred in connection with a release from the facility. Eligible claimants are responsible for the first $5,000 (active facilities) or $10,000 (inactive facilities) of eligible focused site investigation costs and for the first $10,000 of eligible remedial action costs if the investigation is completed and accepted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a remedial action plan has been prepared and submitted to EPA by 1/1/08.
Bottom Line: The amendments increase the license fees for all licensing categories and increase the remedial action cost deductible for those voluntarily participating in the program. For further information contact H. Patrick Eriksen, 630-741-0022.
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The following proposed regulation will impact licensees of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation with unpaid tax liabilities:
The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation proposed a; new Part titled “Department Rules of Practice in Administrative Hearings” (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1100; 30 Ill. Reg. 14436) implementing license sanctions authorized by Public Act 94-462 for an outstanding tax obligation or liability. Upon notice from the Department of Revenue (DOR) that a person has failed to file a return or pay a liability under any tax act administered by DOR, the Division of Professional Regulation may issue an order refusing to issue or renew or suspending the license of that person. DOR must certify to DFPR the amount of liability or years in which a return was not filed. Such notice and certification will not constitute prima facie evidence of the person’s failure to comply with any act administered by DOR. The licensure action taken by DFPR may be done without hearing and stayed if the licensee or applicant taxpayer files a request for a hearing. DFPR will reverse its licensure action if the licensee or applicant has provided proof of a satisfactory payment record from DOR of satisfaction of the tax liability and if all other requirements of the act and rules governing the profession have been met.
Bottom Line: The Department may deny a professional license application or renewal to a person delinquent in her/her tax payments. The rules provide a means for the taxes to be paid. For additional information, contact Barb Smith, 217-785-0813.
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The following proposed regulation will impact companies desiring to participate in the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s “Employer Training Investment Program”:
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity adopted emergency amendments to “Employer Training Investment Program” (56 Ill. Adm. Code 2650; 30 Ill. Reg. 14593), effective 8/24/06 for a maximum of 150 days. An identical proposed rulemaking appears in the September 8 issue of the Illinois Register at 30 Ill. Reg. 14393. The rulemakings allow part-time, seasonal, temporary, and/or contractual employees to be considered trainees. Additional amendments delete the minimum 50% local direct cash contribution toward training projects by companies participating in a multi-company training project and include trainee wages and fringe benefits as allowable costs for multi-company or membership training projects. The amendments will help minorities to train in the film industry and assist start-up bioscience companies that rely heavily on graduate students, according to DCEO.
Bottom Line: These training funds will enhance employment opportunities and expand the parameters of the program to help minorities train in the film industry in anticipation of job opportunities. For further information, contact Jolene Clarke at (217) 557-1820 or by emailing Jolene.Clarke@Illinois.gov.
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Small Business Innovation Research Conference
If you are an innovative business developing environmental or other technologies, you will want to attend the 2006 Fall National Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Conference in Milwaukee. If your business can benefit from part of the $2+ billion in federal SBIR grants and contracts, then this conference scheduled November 6-9 at the Milwaukee Hilton City Center is a tremendous opportunity. Through SBIR, 11 federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, provide funding to advance R&D projects conducted by small business (500 or fewer employees) that address national priorities.
This conference will teach registrants how to effectively participate in the SBIR program. The agenda includes sessions on proposal strategy, grant management, intellectual property issues, and financing and technology commercialization topics. SBIR program managers from all participating agencies will be available for one-on-one meetings with companies.
Visit the National SBIR Conference web site for program and registration details: www.SBIRworld.com/WI.
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Upcoming Safety Seminars for Business Owners, Plant Managers, Safety Professionals and Those with Responsibility for OSHA compliance:
DCEO is a sponsor of a series of seminars for businesses to learn about safety and health for their workplace and workers. These seminars will be held at EIGER lab in Rockford, IL. Advance registration is required. To register or to find out more, call EDGE at (815) 316-6367, or email rsvp@edge-ni-org.
October 18: Safety and Health Management Systems for Small Business
November 15: Workplace Inspections— An Introduction to Identifying, Analyzing and Controlling Workplace Hazards
December 13: Delivering Presentations& Training (How To)
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11th Annual Southern Illinois Economic Development Conference
The 11th Annual Southern Illinois Economic Development Conference will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2009 at the Rend Lake Resort & Conference Center at Wayne Fitzgerell State Park in Whittington.
The theme for this conference is “Enhancing Southern Illinois” and the sessions and presentations include: The New Economy, Innovators and Inventors: Successful Strategies, Southern Illinois Connect, and How to Deliver this New Economy.
The price is $49. To register, go to: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/conferences/siedc.
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E-85/Biodiesel Seminars
Want to know more about E-85 and biodiesel fuels? Attend one of seven statewide seminars to educate gas station owners, municipal and business vehicle fleet owners and the interested public about the advantages of E-85 and biodiesel fuels. Hosted by DCEO, IEPA, the Petroleum Marketers Association, and the American Lung Association in cooperation with the Illinois SBDCs, agenda items include federal and state tax incentives; grant opportunities, the Illinois Alternate Fuels Rebate Program, provisions of the Federal Energy Act, and fuel compatibility, storage and dispensing concerns. The American Lung Association will talk about marketing efforts, and representatives from General Motors and Ford Motor Company will discuss car and truck manufacturing plans. Seminars run from 10:00 - 1:00 and are free, but space is limited. Contact the DCEO Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at 800-252-3998 for more information.
Dates and Locations are as follows:
Tuesday, September 26: Normal
Tuesday, October 3: Danville
Wednesday, October 4: Kankakee
Wednesday, October 11 Effingham
Thursday, October 12: Quincy
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IAAP/IEPA Clean Construction/Demolition Debris Training Seminar
Companies currently operating a CCDD fill site, and companies that contemplate going into the CCDD acceptance business, will benefit from the timely and informative topics covered by this seminar.
On October 3, 2006, the Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers (IAAP) and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will conduct a training seminar designed to help you comply with the state’s clean construction or demolition debris fill regulatory program.
Training will include: Review of IEPA CCDD Rules; How to Use and Calibrate PID/FID; Pre-Screening of CCDD Sources; Screening/Rejection of Loads; Visual Inspection of Incoming CCDD and Documentation/Salvaging.
Enrollment is limited to the first 100 people who register. Registration fee is $100 and you may do so by contacting the IAAP at (217) 241-1639. Rooms are blocked at the Springfield Crowne Plaza for the night of Oct. 2. Call (217) 529-7777 for reservations and be sure to request the special room rates before September 11, 2006.
