Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) has come to realize certain truths about the uncertainty small business owners encounter trying to do business in the state.

“It seems to be harder to run a business in Illinois than in any other neighboring state,” Batinick told the Will County Gazette. “Too much focus is placed on special interests and big business at the expense of small business owners. You go all the way back to the stimulus of 2009, almost none of that massive amount went to small business owners.”

With the first week of May marking National Small Business Appreciation Week, Batinick, running for re-election in the 97th District in November’s general election, left no question about where he stands on the issue of what lawmakers should be doing to aid small business owners.  

“Small business owners are kind of the forgotten person down in Springfield,” Batinick said. “Most of the time all they want is for us to get out of the way and allow them to operate. Property tax relief, workers’ compensation reform and regulatory reform, those are some of the things that are needed.”

Batinick said making a difference regarding what should be one of the state’s most valued assets has become a primary part of what he strives to do in Springfield.

“A big part of the things I try to focus on is stopping other bills that might hurt the interest of small business owners even more,” Batinick said. “I know how critical that is to them and I know how critical they are to the state’s overall well-being.  

The 97th District includes all or parts of Oswego, Plainfield and Shorewood.