WOOD RIVER - State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) urges Madison, St. Clair and Jersey County residents to shop and buy local this holiday season.

As people across the state begin their holiday shopping this year, Crowe is reminding residents to patronize Madison, St. Clair and Jersey County local businesses, especially on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30.

“Small businesses drive our economy,” Crowe said. “Supporting these businesses sustains our communities, links us with our neighbors and makes our region unique.”

Crowe reminds residents that Small Business Saturday is a day to celebrate and support the small, family-run businesses that do so much throughout the year to support our community.

In 2018, the National Federation of Independent Business reported 104 million shoppers spent a record high of $17.8 billion on Small Business Saturday. The survey also found that, 59 percent of small business owners reporting that Small Business Saturday contributes significantly to their holiday sales each year.

For every $100 spent in locally owned, independent stores, $68 goes back to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures, studies have shown.

“We have fantastic businesses in the Metro East region,” Crowe said. “Our nation was built upon the entrepreneurial spirit. The places we eat, shop and explore are what make a community home.”

Small businesses and future entrepreneurs should take advantage of state programs and support services through the Illinois Department of Economic Development. Interested and potential business owners may visit www.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance.

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker vetoed House Bill 3902, which would reinstate Illinois’ sales tax exemption for aircraft materials, prioritizing jobs in the aviation-repair industry and allowing business to compete with 35 other states.

Since its expiration in 2014, the Illinois Department of Revenue audited several privately-owned aviation repair companies and never required them to collect sales tax. The Illinois Aviation Trades Association believes the outstanding tax bill is roughly $50 million.

State Representative Monica Bristow (D-Alton), the chief House sponsor of the bill issued the following statement:

“I am disappointed the governor has decided to put downstate and Metro East jobs in jeopardy by vetoing House Bill 3902.

Without this legislation, aviation-repair companies across Illinois risk losing business to other states, taking thousands of high-paying jobs with them. The governor’s claims about the bill do not reflect the reality that this legislation would protect the jobs of hardworking people in the Metro East and keep our state competitive in this field.

I remain committed to fighting for these jobs and standing up for our local economy in Springfield regardless of the governor’s decision.”

State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon), the chief Senate sponsor of the bill, also issued the following statement:

“While I understand the governor’s concern about the fiscal impact of this legislation, requiring these businesses to pay an estimated $50 million in taxes they didn’t know they needed to collect will put them out of business. This tax exemption is essential to keeping more than 3,400 good-paying, highly-skilled jobs in Illinois. I intend to continue fighting for these jobs in the legislature.”

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation showing vast support to the aviation repair industry in Illinois is one step closer to becoming law under the firm leadership of State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon)

“I am delighted the majority of the Senate agreed this exemption is necessary in support of the economic contributions jet repair companies provide to the entire state of Illinois,” Crowe said. “But this fight is not over.”

The measure reinstates Illinois’ sales tax exemption for aircraft materials, which expired Dec. 31, 2014.

Since its expiration, the Illinois Department of Revenue audited several privately-owned aviation repair companies and never required them to collect sales tax. The Illinois Aviation Trades Association believes the outstanding tax bill is roughly $50 million.

“I strongly urge the governor to reconsider his alleged opposition on this legislation,” Crowe said. “This measure, as is, is necessary to keep the over 3,400 highly-skilled aviation repair jobs, which thousands of families depend on, in Illinois.”

“Instead of making public pronouncements about the bill that do not reflect the reality faced by hardworking people in our community, I would invite the governor to come to the Metro East and see the jobs that we could potentially lose if this legislation is not signed into law," state Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) said, the sponsor in the House. "I remain ready anytime to meet with the governor to discuss why this proposal is so important to our area.”

House Bill 3902 passed the Senate 48-1-2 Thursday and now awaits consideration from the governor.

SPRINGFIELD – In support of the good-paying jobs and vital economic contributions jet repair companies provide to the Metro East, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) advanced an initiative out of the Senate Revenue Committee to help keep their doors open.

“West Star Aviation provides over 500 good-paying jobs in the East Alton region,” Crowe said. “We need to keep them here.”

The measure reinstates Illinois’ sales tax exemption for aircraft materials, which expired Dec. 31, 2014.

Since its expiration, the Illinois Department of Revenue audited several privately-owned aviation repair companies and never required them to collect sales tax. The Illinois Aviation Trades Association believes the outstanding tax bill is roughly $50 million.

“Most states offer this tax exemption,” Crowe said. “Without it, Illinois cannot compete with neighbors like Missouri, Indiana and Wisconsin and competitors like California and Florida.”

“Without this exemption, we’ll have a sales tax on the books, but we won’t have sales to tax,” Jim Rankin, CEO of West Star Aviation, said.

House Bill 3902 passed the Senate Revenue Committee today and moves to the full Senate for further consideration.