The authors argue that about 98% of Illinois businesses are small firms with under 100 employees or are self-employed solopreneurs and gig workers. These businesses create two-thirds of net new jobs, stimulate innovation and foster a diverse, thriving economy. However, they also lack the capital needed to strengthen their businesses due to increasing competition from non-bank lenders and special interest private companies. These lenders use a legal loophole to lure small businesses with loans with interest rates between 48% and over 350% often disguised as "fees" and often result in losses of around $1 million per day in savings. The authors urge every Illinois small business owner to advocate for transparent APR requirements for small business lending products and for the state to pass the Small Business Financing Transparency Act.