Illinois was well represented at NFIB’s 2022 “Fly-In” in Washington DC this week. Leadership Council Chair Cindy Neal and former Chair Gary Dykstra, as well as Illinois State Director Chris Davis, joined NFIB members to lobby Congress in-person for the first time since 2019. 

Members spent Tuesday in briefing meetings with NFIB Staff, prior to descending on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Illinois attendees met with Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-Tinley Park) and Congressmen Darin LaHood (R-Peoria), Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro), and Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville). NFIB echoed the simple message of “Do No Harm.”  Members discussed potential tax increases on pass-through entities included in the “Build Back Better” Act. Participants sent a strong message in opposition to potential increased penalties for isolated, innocent errors in compliance with complicated employment laws, as well as potential DOL increased overtime exemption thresholds for salaried employees. Members also expressed strong concerns about potential EPA expansion of “navigable waters” under the Clean Water Act. 

NFIB expressed strong support for tax certainty for main street businesses, by making permanent current tax deductions. NFIB also expressed support to resume DOL’s Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) Program, which enables small businesses to correct minor wage and hour violations without being fined and penalized. Finally, NFIB members encouraged Congress to reform tax compliance burdens.