PROPOSED STATE OF ILLINOIS RULES AFFECTING SMALL BUSINESS

Following are proposed rules of possible interest to small businesses published in the 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 real estate appraisers:

The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation proposed amendments to “Real Estate Appraiser Licensing” (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1455; 30 Ill. Reg. 17147). Federal appraisal licensure currently in rule covering real estate appraiser licensing will become void on 1/1/08. The rulemaking implements educational and experience requirements mandated by the federal government that allow certified appraisers in Illinois to continue to do appraisal work on federally-related transactions with entities such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FDIC and HUD. The amendments repeal grandfathering provisions for individuals who previously held appraisal licenses issued pursuant to an Act other than the Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Act. The rulemaking also details educational and experience requirements for state certified general real estate appraiser licensure applicants with experience prior to 7/1/05, state certified residential real estate appraiser licensure applicants with experience prior to 1/1/06, and state certified general real estate appraiser licensure applicants wit no experience prior to 7/1/06 and who have filed a licensure application after 12/31/07. Individuals applying for general real estate appraiser (with experience prior to 1/1/06) licensure are required to have applications postmarked prior to 12/31/07. The rulemaking increases the amount of “distance learning” an individual may earn to meet continuing education (CE) requirements from 14 hours to 21 hours and updates the incorporation by reference of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) to reflect the 7/1/06 edition. Further amendments revise pre-license education course requirements for licensure applicants and clarify that the Department will not review or recommend courses as pre-license education courses with integrated course content that do not equal a complete module.

Bottom Line: The criteria governing the education and experience requirements for Certified Appraisal license will become invalid on January 1, 2008. Ongoing problems have brought about an increase in both the educational and experience requirements mandated by the federal government. Without the education and experience criteria changes contained in these proposed rules, appraisers certified by Illinois after 1/1/08 will not be allowed to do appraisal work for federally related transactions (the overwhelming majority of loan transactions). All appraisers currently licensed in Illinois will be able to maintain their current level of certification, but new applicants and current licensees wishing to upgrade their level of licensure will be required to meet the more stringent standard. For more information contact Mike Brown at (312) 793-8892.

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2007 Environmental Workshops for the Construction & Demolition Industry and Building Code Officials

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Small Business Environmental Assistance Program along withthe Illinois EPA, Department of Public Health, Emergency Management Agency, Department of Natural Resources andnumerous industry co-sponsors will be holdingsix workshops around the state inJanuary& February to educate the construction industry andother related industriesabout requirements for asbestos, lead,radon, mold,floodplains, endangered species and safety and health.In addition, participants will learn aboutenergy efficient building andenergy programs. Commercial & Residential Contractors, Demolition Contractors,Realtors, Property Managers, Building Maintenance Providers, Home Inspectors, Local Building& ZoningOfficials & Inspectors are urged to attend. A $35 nonrefundable fee will be chargedto cover meal expenses. Workshops will be held from 8:30-4:30 on the following dates and locations:

January 31, 2007 John A. Logan College

Carterville

February 1, 2007 Gateway Center

Collinsville

February 7, 2007 Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove

February 8, 2007 Wilbur Wright Community College

Chicago

February 21, 2007 Heartland Community College

Normal

February 28, 2007 Stoney Creek Inn

Moline

Registration information maybe found at http://www.ienconnect.com/enviro%20If If you have questions or would like to register for one of the workshops, please contact the Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Helpline at 800/252-3998, or send an e-mail todceo.sbeap@illinois.gov.

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ATTENTION ILLINOIS COMPANIES

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is decorating an “Illinois Product” Christmas tree. They are asking for product labels, small size empty product containers, miniature or sample sizes, larger versions of company logos (4” X 6”), etc. The tree is big – 15’ to 20 ‘, but the ornaments can’t be heavy.

Send the items to:

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library

ATTN: Jennifer Ericson

112 North Sixth Street

Springfield, IL 62701

ALPLM website: http://www.alplm.org/. Items are needed by mid-November.

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Grants Available to Start New, Innovative Agri-businesses

The Fiscal Year 2007 budget includes $564,480 for the Department of Agriculture's AgriFIRST program which promotes "valued-added" agricultural ventures, or projects that turn raw commodities into marketable products and enable farmers to earn a larger share of the consumer dollar. The program, which is part of Governor Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns program, helps defray the start-up costs of qualified projects. To be eligible for a grant, a project must "enhance the value of farm and agricultural products or by-products produced in Illinois." The program does not provide funding for technology research, promotion of proprietary products or compliance with the Livestock Management Facilities Act.

Three types of AgriFIRST grants are available:

• Technical assistance grants, which cover up to 75 percent of the cost of developing a "value-added" project. The maximum award is $25,000.
• Competitive assessment grants, which pay up to 50 percent of the cost of feasibility studies, business and marketing plans and consulting services, with a cap of $300,000 per project.
• Capital grants, which cover up to 10 percent of a qualified project's construction cost, including the purchase of land, buildings and equipment. The amount received cannot exceed $5 million.

The deadline to apply for a grant this fiscal year is 5 p.m., Dec. 15, 2006. Application forms are available on the Illinois Department of Agriculture's website at http://www.agr.state.il.us/ or by calling Kim Janssen at 217/785-5848.

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Website Helps Businesses Find Federal Compliance Information

For the first time, businesses can search for compliance information from the entire U.S. Government in one place, via the newly redesigned www.Business.gov website. Business.gov is the official business link to the U.S. government. It was publicly re-launched in October 2006 to focus on compliance information, federal forms, and government compliance contacts. This service saves businesses time and money in locating information on tax, labor, environmental, immigration, and other requirements and regulations that often present challenges for small and mid-sized businesses.

Businesses can search on Business.gov for compliance information by topic and industry and for federal forms from all major U.S. federal agencies regulating or serving businesses. Business.gov will help businesses find the best sources, reduce compliance barriers and help avoid costly mistakes. State and municipal compliance information is also being phased into the site. Business.gov is managed by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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Credit card and Debit card payment options are now available to pay UI taxes

The Illinois Department of Employment Security is now accepting MasterCard and Visa credit and debit cards for employer payments of unemployment insurance obligations. An employer can pay by debit or credit card over an internet site or by telephone.

To pay by credit or debit card, employers will need to refer to their payment coupon. This coupon is located at the bottom of each UI-3/40 form or collections document the Department mails. The employer will be asked to enter the 27 digit code located at the bottom of the coupon.

The website address for credit or debit card payments is https://www.paybill.com/IDES. The site will provide step-by-step prompts. The process generally takes 5 to 10 minutes.

Employers may use the new telephone option by calling 1-866-268-3956 and following the step-by-step prompts. The process takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

Employers may email the Department at DES.payments@illinois.gov or call our toll free number at 1-800-247-4984 with questions about these new options.

NOTE: The Service Provider charges a convenience fee to process credit/debit card payments. This fee is paid directly to the service provider. The Illinois Department of Employment Security does not receive any portion of this convenience fee.

The credit card and debit card information furnished to the service provider is not disclosed to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

To explore other employer payment options, employers may access the IL TaxNet website at https://taxnet.ides.state.il.us/.

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Confused about how and when to apply for Construction Stormwater permits from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency?

Join us for a FREE workshop highlighting the following:

ü When a construction storm water permit isrequired.

ü Documentation, what is required and how to stay in compliance.

What isü required in the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan?

ü Selecting, implementing, inspecting and maintaining Storm Water Best Management Practices (BMPs) during construction.

Presented by Wal-Mart from 8:30am - 4:00pm on December5, 2007 atDoubleTreeHotel in Bloomington, Illinois and December 6, 2007 at College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois. To register for either FREE workshop, call the SBEAP at 800.252.3998or register on-line at: www.ildceo.net/sbeapby November 27, 2006.

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Unemployment Insurance Workshops – Meeting Business Needs

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) will be presenting workshops on “Business Solutions” along with information on the employers’ right to contest claims and what information should be included with written protests. There will also be a demonstration of the interview process with Unemployment Insurance Specialists addressing issues related to voluntary leaving, misconduct and refusal to work.

These workshops will be held:

Thursday, November 16 from 8:00 am. to 11:00 a.m. at the Olney Chamber of Commerce (618) 392-2241