Organizations around the country, representing thousands of small businesses, send open letter to state officials

Organizations around the country, representing thousands of small businesses, send open letter to state officials

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce joined state and regional business organizations across the country recently in sending an open letter to governors and state lawmakers urging them to carefully consider privacy laws that will protect consumer privacy and support businesses. The group specifically asked Illinois state officials to avoid modeling privacy laws after legislation that California passed last year.

The 36 organizations represent thousands of small and large businesses, including mom-and-pop shops, brick-and-mortar retailers, restaurants, hotels and various other providers of goods and services. They represent businesses from the East to West Coasts, in urban, suburban and rural areas. These statewide and local organizations contend that California’s regulations will actually hurt national, regional and local economies and jeopardize jobs, without even adequately safeguarding consumer data.

“American businesses agree that privacy is important,” said president and chief executive officer of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Todd Maisch. “However, privacy laws must strike a balance between protecting consumer data, fostering economic growth and promoting innovation. It’s critical that Illinois officials get this right.”

According to a press release, the California Consumer Privacy Act, which became law in July 2018, will negatively impact tens-of-thousands of companies that do business with California residents, including businesses here in Illinois by:

  • Forcing websites to collect more consumer data than they need.

  • Damaging the functionality and convenience of products and services that consumers have come to expect, including discounts and loyalty programs.

  • Raising compliance costs for small and medium-sized businesses.

  • Increasing legal liability and penalties on businesses, including mom-and-pop shops and brick-and-mortar stores.

  • Discouraging economic growth, expansion, and job creation.

  • Halting or stunting the growth of U.S. competitiveness in innovation.

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