WEST CHICAGO – More than $3 million in Back to Business grants will be awarded to small businesses across the 25th District, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) announced.
“Local businesses bring so much life to our community,” Villa said. “Especially through the challenges of the last two years, the services they provide have been absolutely vital and, now more than ever, they need our support.”
Sixty-three local businesses will be receiving a total of $3,125,000 in COVID-19 relief funds in the latest round of B2B grants through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Read more: Villa announces more than $3 million in relief funding for local businesses
MAYWOOD – As a result of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus four-pillar agenda, specifically the Education and Workforce Equity Act, State Senator Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) announced a $17 million grant to create the first-ever state-funded Freedom Schools network.
“Freedom Schools have a proud history and major significance for African Americans,” Lightford said. “These schools represent a long tradition of engaged citizenship, personal empowerment and academic excellence. I know this experience will have a positive impact on students, their families, and the whole community.”
Because of the monumental education package to rid Illinois of systemic racism, the Phillip Jackson Freedom School Grant was created to ensure Black students receive quality education across the state.
Read more: Lightford champions first-ever state-funded Freedom Schools network in the nation
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced a measure in the Illinois Senate that makes it easier for callers to reach 9-1-1 from hotels and businesses during an emergency on Thursday.
“This initiative will help ensure a quick response during times of an emergency,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “We are removing barriers that hinder people from calling 9-1-1 and making it easier for first responders to locate the caller.”
Under current law, multi-line telephone systems require dialing "9" or another number to reach an outside line. Places like businesses, hotels and government buildings use these systems to handle two or more calls coming in at the same time. Under the new law, MLTS vendors and manufacturers must configure new systems to support direct dialing 9-1-1.
Read more: Cunningham measure backed by Illinois State Police
Chicago – Local South Side businesses were awarded more than $5.2 million in funding from the Back to Business program thanks to advocacy and support from State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).
“Small businesses across the state have been negatively impacted in the last two years, especially Black and Brown-owned businesses,” Peters said. “Grant programs like Back to Business have been vital to keeping the doors of thousands of small businesses across the state open.”
The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.
Read more: Local businesses to receive recovery assistance thanks to support from Senator Peters
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