Gov. Pat Quinn Unveils 'Advantage Illinois' Plan to Help Small Businesses

Chicago - Gov. Pat Quinn knows the state is in trouble when it comes to jobs, so Wednesday the governor announced a new program aimed at turning around the state's growing unemployment rate.

Quinn calls it the Advantage Illinois program. It's supposed to help small businesses expand by giving them access to credit or capital.

Quinn made the announcement at a small, 2-year-old company on the Southwest Side that is ready to expand. All Cell Technologies is a green company started by a former Illinois Institute of Technology professor that makes lithium batteries to power bikes and machines.

All Cell has 10 employees and wants to add five more. They're also trying to expand in the international market.

The governor's program eases the credit crunch for a company like All Cell by providing matching investment capital.

“The key is, whether you have a big business or a smaller business, whether you have a business that's in technology, or taking care of human beings, everyone has the same need to have credit and capital in order to grow their business. That's the American way. A lot of folks in our State of Illinois have started businesses and grown businesses over the years, and we want to make sure we do that if we're going to have a strong economic recovery. And that is our number one objective in Illinois,” Quinn said.

The program leverages $78 million funded by the U.S. Treasury from President Obama's Small Business Jobs Act.