PLAINFIELD — To help business owners who have faced financial uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) announced more than 25 local business in Will and Kendall Counties will receive assistance through the Business Interruption Grant Program. 

“Small businesses owners are dealing with a lot of uncertainties,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Our small businesses play a vital role in our communities, and I am pleased many have been awarded assistance to keep their doors open.”

A total of 26 business in Will and Kendall Counties received a combined $420,000. Each business received between $10,000 and $20,000 to be used to help with working capital expenses, including payroll costs, rent and utilities. The funds may also be used to cover pandemic-related expenses, such as personal protective equipment, training and new technology.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded a total of $46 million to 2,655 small businesses in the first round of BIG funding. The BIG program offers grants to Illinois restaurants and bars, barbershops and salons, and fitness centers that have suffered pandemic-related losses, with a focus on businesses in the hardest-hit areas of the state.

To ensure ongoing support for Illinois small businesses, the State of Illinois has planned future rounds of funding, including a special program for child care providers. The application deadline for the child care program is Aug. 14.

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the COVID-19 economic downturn. The full list of grant recipients is available here.