Murphy removes barriers for small business owners

DES PLAINES—Entrepreneurs in Illinois will immediately see lower fees to start and maintain their business thanks to a new law co-sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).  

“I co-sponsored this legislation to make it easier for entrepreneurs in Illinois to start and maintain their businesses,” Murphy said. “Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and I believe we need to pass more legislation like this to support them. I hope that by reducing the LLC fee schedule we can help small businesses grow and thrive in Illinois.”

Senate Bill 867 reduces the following fees:

•    The articles of organization fee will be reduced from $500 to $150;
•    The cost to register a name will be reduced from $300 to $50 and the cost to reserve a name will be reduced from $300 to $25;
•    The series organization fee will be reduced from $750 to $400;
•    The annual report fee will be reduced from $250 to $75;
•    The articles of amendment fee will be reduced from $150 to $50;
•    The fee to renew a name registration will be cut in half from $100 to $50;
•    The cost of articles of dissolution will be reduced from $100 to $5;
•    And the application to reinstate a LLC will drop from $500 to $200.

The new law takes effect immediately.

Murphy pushes back on unfair state fees

• 2017
• Taxes
• Department of Revenue

Revenue department withholding 2% of some funds from communities

DES PLAINES—Communities shouldn’t be expected to bear costs associated with running the state’s tax-collecting body, State Senator Laura Murphy said today as she called for the rollback of unfair fees being charged to local governments.

Murphy introduced Senate Bill 2245 to eliminate the Illinois Department of Revenue’s ability to withhold 2 percent of certain funds it collects from local governments.

“People pay local taxes so they can have local services like police and fire coverage, not so that their money can go into state coffers to prop up the Department of Revenue,” said Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat. “This is a desperate and unfair money grab by the state, plain and simple.”

Murphy’s legislation affects the Municipal Home Rule Sales Tax, the Municipal Non-Home Rule Sales Tax, and the County Home Rule Sales Tax, among others. This retention is expected to generate about $61 million.

Under current law, the Department of Revenue can use the money it withholds – which it calls “an administrative charge” – to help cover its costs. The department is not using this new fee to provide any additional services.

“The governor has repeatedly tried to slash funding for local governments,” Murphy said. “Rather than taking money from our communities, the governor should find a better way to manage the state agencies under his direction.”
Murphy expects the Senate to take up SB 2245 when the 2018 session begins in January.

Pastor Charles Reid III wins AARP 50@50+ Illinois award

Murphy: Reid a ‘pillar within our community’

Pastor Charles Reid III was recently recognized for his community-building work with the AARP 50@50+ Illinois award.

State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) nominated Pastor Charles Reid III for the award, which celebrates the contributions individuals over the age of 50 make to their communities and their work to disrupt ideas about aging.

“I am delighted that Pastor Reid was selected for the AARP 50@50+ award,” Murphy said. “He is a pillar within our community and continually gives back. He is a perfect example of dedicated community service.”

Reid serves the Bethesda Worship Center in Des Plaines where he has mentored numerous individuals. He also volunteers with the Kiwanis Club of Des Plaines. He played an integral role in establishing an interfaith breakfast in Des Plaines to celebrate the similarities between faith-based organizations.

Honorees for the AARP 50@50+ Illinois award were recognized for their work in the categories of business, community building, nonprofit work, arts and culture, and age disruption.

Photo credit: Harvey Tillis

Murphy recognizes the Village of Schaumburg for Money Magazine ranking

• Schaumburg
• 2017
• Des Plaines

On Tuesday, State Senator Laura Murphy presented officials from the Village of Schaumburg with a Senate recognition for being named the ninth best place to live by Money Magazine.

“I know that our district is one of the best places to live. I’m glad that places like Schaumburg and Des Plaines are getting the recognition they deserve,” Murphy said.

Murphy thanked the elected officials for their work along with community and economic development organizations, schools, the art community, and public safety officers to make Schaumburg a great place to live and work.

Money Magazine highlighted Schaumburg’s economic and manufacturing prowess. The article also noted the amenities that Schaumburg offers, such as theater performances, one of the largest shopping centers in the country, and a Town Square that hosts farmers’ markets, concerts and other events. Schaumburg is also home one of the largest public libraries in the State of Illinois.

The City of Des Plaines was also recognized in Money Magazine as the 35th best place to live.

The rankings were based on quality of life, affordable homes, the health of the economy, public education, crime and amenities in places with a population between 10,000 and 100,000.

You can read the magazine’s full report here.

The photo is courtesy of the Village of Schaumburg.