The recent announcement from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) regarding the imminent closure of their Chicago office – along with those in five other cities with "sanctuary city" status – has stirred a mixture of reactions. Administrator Kelly Loeffler stated, "Under President Trump, the SBA is committed to putting American citizens first again – starting by ensuring that zero taxpayer dollars go to fund illegal aliens," according to WGN-TV. Loeffler, with roots in Illinois, shared plans to move the agency's efforts to locations thought to be less expensive, more accessible, and in compliance with federal immigration laws.
The closings will impact regional offices in cities including Atlanta, Boston, Denver, New York City, and Seattle, in addition to Chicago. These relocations come directly on the heels of testimony from Mayors of sanctuary cities before the House Oversight and Government Reform committee. The SBA believes these shifts will better align with their goals and the federal landscape, as they also introduce a new policy that necessitates citizenship verification from SBA loan applicants. "Lenders will be required to confirm that applicant businesses are not owned in whole or in part by an illegal alien, consistent with President Trump’s executive order ending the taxpayer subsidization of open borders," the SBA explained in a statement obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Opponents of these closures, including business advocates in Chicago, have voiced concerns over the potentially deleterious effects on local small businesses. Elliot Richardson, president of the Small Business Advocacy Council, argued, "Relocating the Chicago office will impact businesses that rely on its services. Small businesses should not be harmed by fights they cannot control," reinforcing the viewpoint obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times. Similarly, Tasha Brown from Small Business Majority stressed the importance of the SBA's presence in supporting Chicago's extensive entrepreneurial community.
On a personal note, Jacqueline "Jackie" Jackson, a Kilwins franchise owner and recipient of SBA loans, lamented the upcoming changes: "The SBA has not only been a lifeline for small businesses like mine, but also a trusted partner in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship," she told the Chicago Sun-Times.
