Who We Are
The Illinois Main Street Alliance began outreach to small businesses in communities across Illinois in August 2008. Recognizing that small businesses have been disproportionately impacted by the health care crisis, the coalition formed to give voice to small business owners who share a commitment to quality, affordable health care for all.
The Alliance has expanded the scope of its efforts to include other issues crucial to small business owners such as tax parity, job creation, and environmental policy. Visit the Our Issues page to learn more.
Our coalition comprises over 450 small business members from across the state and continues to grow through ongoing outreach.
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Illinois Main Street Alliance Mission & Principles
“The Progressive Business Voice”
Mission Statement:
The Illinois Main Street Alliance promotes social justice while providing small businesses a real voice within the political arena and fostering the development of progressive, socially responsible business leaders.”
Principles:
- We, as small business owners, speak from our unique perspectives to create a strong voice on critical issues.
- We promote a positive relationship between government and the private sector for the benefit of the community.
- We believe in shared responsibility and promote innovative business and legislative approaches to address societal issues.
- We support sensible fiscal policy – at all levels of government – that puts the needs of small businesses, families, and communities first.
- We address the impacts that our businesses have on the environment and support policies that will preserve the environment for future generations.
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Coalition Information
The Illinois Main Street Alliance State is an inclusive organization of small businesses owners, self-employed people, and associations, with members representing a diverse range of business size, industry, race, gender, and geography.
The Illinois Main Street Alliance strategically advocates for issues of concern to its members and the community:
- We focus on issues that directly impact business viability and the well-being of the community
- We provide information, opinions, and leadership to the general public regarding government practices, social issues, or current events that impact small business and community well-being
- We take long-term, committed positions and action on issues selected by the members
- We join coalitions and collaborate with other organizations to promote business and community concerns
The Illinois Main Street Alliance helps our members be more effective businesses and socially responsible community members:
- We provide members with information regarding the legislative process and government action at the national, state, and local levels
- We strategically organize members and collaborate with other organizations and government officials to promote small business interests and healthy communities
- We encourage small business owners to become active participants in the legislative and political process, developing progressive business leaders who can speak for themselves
The Illinois Main Street Alliance is sponsored by Citizen Action-Illinois, the state’s largest public interest group.
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Are you a small business owner? To learn how you can make a difference, visit our Get Involved page!