August 11, 2017

To the Honorable Members of

The Illinois House of Representatives,

100th General Assembly:

Today I return House Bill 1813 with specific recommendations for change.

Small and mid-sized businesses make up the backbone of our economy, and I applaud the legislature for prioritizing policies that will help them grow and create more jobs. However, I am concerned this bill is too broad in scope of the people it wishes to help.

Women and minority owned businesses have traditionally faced significant roadblocks in terms of access to capital, expertise, and other resources necessary to grow and develop, that is why my administration has already undertaken multiple initiatives to help foster the entrepreneurial community within historically disadvantaged populations; limited state resources should be invested consistent with other existing initiatives.

Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(e) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 1813 entitled “AN ACT concerning State government”, with the following specific recommendations for change:

By replacing page 1, lines 10 through 12 with the following:

“establish a Networking for Success Program. The program shall be designed to assist small to mid-sized businesses owned by minorities, females, or people with disabilities, as defined by 30 ILCS 575/2 in the following areas:”.

With this change, House Bill 1813 will have my approval. I respectfully request your concurrence.

Sincerely,

Bruce Rauner

GOVERNOR