HAZEL CREST – During a virtual press conference Tuesday afternoon, State Rep. Will Davis (D-Hazel Crest) and several advocates called upon the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to enforce a law they helped author to expand opportunities for minority- and female-owned businesses in Illinois.

“The big businesses that are getting a special tax break from the state need to start providing opportunities to Illinois small businesses to work with them,” Davis said. “The Department of Commerce and Economic Development must enforce the law and make that happen.”

An expansion to the EDGE program was passed in 2017, and requires that any company seeking a tax credit must publicly file a report on their voluntary supplier diversity. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), Chair of the Senate Revenue Committee, shared her sentiments.

“When we passed the EDGE expansion, we did so under the assumption that if businesses did not comply with the requirement to disclose their supplier diversity, DCEO would step in and force them to,” Castro said. “That has not yet happened, so it is time for the Department to do its job and enforce the law it helped us write in order to ensure that opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses can continue to flourish.”

Also commenting on Davis’s call to action was State Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora), who said “during these difficult times minority-owned-small businesses need more opportunities and resources that would allow them to reach their full potential."

Jorge Perez, of the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association, added "our members pay more state income taxes than these huge companies that get edge tax credits, and it's insulting these companies aren't following the law and filing supplier diversity reports."

Larry Bullock, Executive Director of the United States Minority Contractors Association, as well as representatives of the Federation of Women Contractors and Black Contractors Owners and Executives, applauded Davis’s efforts and echoed the calls for businesses and the Department of Commerce and Economic Development to follow the plain language of the law.

ELGIN – To help combat the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has been awarding a second round of Business Interruption Grants to struggling small businesses. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is pleased to announce that several local businesses were recipients.

“It is great to see many local businesses, which are the backbone of our community, receive such crucial help in a time of crisis,” Castro said. “Through no fault of their own, these businesses have been struggling, but now thanks to the BIG grants, they have a second breath of life. The pandemic has been difficult on all of us, and our businesses are no exception.”

ELGIN – With flu season in full swing, it’s important to take precautions to protect yourself and your family. In recognition of this, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is sponsoring a flu shot clinic in Hanover Park next month.

“Under normal circumstances, it would be a good idea to get a flu shot so that you and your loved ones can stay healthy throughout the flu season,” Castro said. “But this year, when flu season coincides with a global pandemic, the importance is even greater. We can’t let one dangerous disease let us get complacent about another, so I encourage everyone to sign up and get a flu shot.”

Elgin — State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) joined Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services to announce $30 million in state funding for Immigrant Welcoming Centers across Illinois to support members of immigrant communities facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding will allocate $18 million in funding will go to housing and utility assistance, $4.5 million will be used to support employment and job training services, and $4 million will be used to provide health care education. The remaining $2 million will go to a multilingual effort to reach Illinois residents eligible to receive support, and $1.5 million will be used for technical assistance.

ELGIN – In an effort to spread more information about and to encourage businesses owners to apply for the second round of Business Interruption Grants, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is partnering with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to host a BIG webinar on Monday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m.

“The Business Interruption Grants are a great way for businesses owners who are facing financial pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic to see some of that burden lifted,” Castro said. “I look forward to working with DCEO to host this informative webinar and I hope it motivates business owners to apply for a grant.”

The webinar will discuss eligibility, the application process and requirements, and the best way to use the grants to be successful, among other information. Registration is required, and can be done by clicking here.