Newsletter: Helping Small Businesses Succeed

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Last week came to a discouraging end as my Republican colleagues voted to block the progress of the Affordable Care Act with a repeal plan that will cost people more money for less coverage and is estimated to leave 24 million additional Americans without health insurance. Please read on for my thoughts on the way forward after this disappointment, as well as an update on a new bill I introduced to help small business succeed and grow.

HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES SUCCEED

Photo Caption: Visiting Pizzeria DeVille and other Main Street businesses in Libertyville during Small Business Week with the GLMV Chamber of Commerce.

Last week was national Small Business Week, a time to celebrate the entrepreneurs, small business owners, and everyone that works in a small business that form the foundation of the American economy. More than half of all Americans either own or are employed by a small business.

That's why, last week, I introduced the Accelerate Our Startups Act to make it easier for small businesses to grow and succeed. This bill creates a grant program within the Small Business Administration, and in partnership with local communities to promote small business accelerators and incubators. These organizations provide critical support to emerging new businesses and offer resources that many startups lack, including shared office space, access to professional services such as legal expertise and accounting know-how, and access to capital.

Supporting our startups from the beginning ensures more small businesses will flourish and ultimately create more well-paying jobs.

I also spoke on the House floor about the importance of supporting Small Businesses. Watch it here.

CONTINUING THE FIGHT FOR AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE

The GOP repeal bill, also known as the "American Health Care Act," moves our health care system backwards, forcing families to pay more money for less coverage, putting Americans with pre-existing conditions again at risk of discrimination, and leaving many people just one severe illness away from potential bankruptcy.

I hope the Senate has the good sense to stop this terrible health care plan in its tracks. But in the meantime, there is little solace for those that would suffer from these heartless policies. People like the mother who worries whether her daughter successfully survived leukemia only to be denied affordable insurance because of a pre-existing condition, the working father who is ten years from retirement but now will face an unfair age tax, and the estimated 24 million more Americans who will go without coverage because of this bill.

I remain convinced that the way forward is to build on the successes of the Affordable Care Act and fix what isn't working. I'm ready to partner with anyone to do so who is motivated by improving our health care system rather than scoring political points by tearing down the law.

YOU'RE INVITED: DOCUMENTARY SCREENING ON GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA

I'm hosting a public screening followed by a panel discussion of a very important documentary about gun violence in our country, and you're invited. We'll be showing portions of "Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and The NRA," including a case study of Chicago gun trafficking on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 7:00pm at the Northbrook Public Library.

Following the screening, I'll hold a conversation and question and answer session with Tracy Katz Muhl of Moms Demand Action and Thomas Vanden Berk of UCAN, two extraordinary leaders in the gun violence prevention movement. Hope you can join us!

Registration is required. Sign up to attend the film screening today.

NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE HOURS

As a reminder, we hold frequent Neighborhood Office Hours for constituents to more easily meet with caseworkers and staff to discuss any federal issues that they may have. We're here to help if you have issues with Medicare, Social Security, the Veterans Administration, immigration and more.

This week, we'll be at the below locations. Also check the schedule on our website to find out when our team will be in your community.

Glencoe Public Library
320 Park Ave, Glencoe, IL
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Des Plaines Public Library
1501 Ellinwood Ave, Des Plaines, IL
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

North Chicago Public Library
2100 Argonne Dr, North Chicago, IL
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Zion Township Office
2816 Sheridan Rd., Zion, IL
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Aspen Drive Library
701 Aspen Dr, Vernon Hills, IL
Thursday, May 11, 2017
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Waukegan Public Library
128 N County St, Waukegan, IL
Friday, May 12, 2017
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

WEEKLY WRAP-UP

Celebrating the strong US-Israel relationship at the JUF Israel Solidarity Day event.

Supporting the anti-poverty work of the Community Action Partnership of Lake County.

Helping kick off the Libertyville Five-0 5k to support the families of first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Convening an education roundtable with teachers and other educators.

Supporting A Safe Place/Lake County Crisis Center's work to prevent domestic violence at the EmpoweRun 5k.

Celebrating the diversity and immigrant heritage of the Tenth District at the Milwaukee Ave. street renaming ceremony in Niles in honor of General Wladyslaw Anders

As always, please continue to stay in touch and share your thoughts, either by calling our DC office at (202) 225-4835 or emailing via our website.

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Brad Schneider
Member of Congress