The Illinois Retail Merchants Association Represents More Than 23,000 Stores
CHICAGO, IL — Today, Governor JB Pritzker was endorsed by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA), one of the largest retail organizations in the United States representing more than 23,000 stores. Gov. Pritzker has a record of supporting the small businesses that provide food, prescription drugs, and other goods and necessities to Illinoisans across the state.
“As an entrepreneur, I understand the enormous contribution small businesses make to our communities, and I have fought to make Illinois the best state in the nation to run a small business,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I have worked together with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association to eliminate food deserts and local pharmacy shortages in Illinois and to drive state investments that support small businesses. I am proud to be endorsed by IRMA.”
“We are proud to endorse Governor JB Pritzker for another term because he understands the importance of the retail industry and has worked in partnership with us to grow investment, jobs and opportunity,” said Rob Karr, president & CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “Governor Pritzker promoted retail as a viable career path, supported apprenticeship and scholarship programs, and addressed grocery and pharmacy retail deserts, while supporting small businesses throughout Illinois.”
Gov. Pritzker has supported small businesses and addressed food and pharmacy shortages by:
- Investing $26 million to eliminate food deserts and ensure Illinoisans have access to groceries;
- Signing legislation to prevent predatory pharmacy benefit managers from taking away business from local pharmacies;
- Cutting taxes for 400,000 small businesses and uplifting 41,000 business owners through Illinois’ Small Business Development Centers;
- And making Illinois a top state for business, with more than 700 businesses expanding or moving to the state just last year.
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