CHICAGO – State Senator Bill Cunningham wants to make sure local entrepreneurs are aware of recent changes to the federal Paycheck Protection Program, meant to make the program more accessible to smaller businesses.

“The PPP program has been a great opportunity that has helped many of our local small businesses stay afloat, but it was hard to access for some of our smallest business owners,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “If you looked into the program before but decided you didn’t qualify or wouldn’t be able to fill out the paperwork, it’s worth looking again after the recent changes.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham has introduced a measure to make home services more available and affordable, helping older adults and people with disabilities continue to live in their own homes.

“Older adults should have every opportunity to live in their own homes as long as possible,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “And, people with disabilities deserve to live independently whenever possible.”

CHICAGO – As Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination plan goes into effect, State Senator Bill Cunningham is encouraging eligible local residents to sign up for COVID-19 vaccination.

“To help get our lives and our economy back to normal, everyone who can needs to get vaccinated,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “That’s the key step we need to take to be able to spend time with our loved ones, shop, eat in crowded restaurants, and attend movies and live sports again.”

Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination plan expands vaccination eligibility to everyone over age 65 and front-line essential workers. As supplies of the vaccine are still limited, not everyone will be able to get vaccinated immediately, but Cook County has established a waitlist. Anyone who falls into Phase 1A – health care workers and residents in long-term care facilities – also remain eligible.

“I urge everyone to be patient,” Cunningham said. “It’s going to take months for everyone to get vaccinated, but more appointments will become available as the federal government sends Illinois more vaccines.”

Eligible Cook County residents can visit https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov/ to sign up for the vaccination program. There are vaccination sites located near the district Cunningham represents in Robbins, Blue Island, Tinley Park and Oak Forest. Additional sites at pharmacies and other locations are being added daily.

CHICAGO – State Senator Bill Cunningham is congratulating the Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens in Palos Heights on winning a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to give local 6-8 graders experience with prairie restoration.

“I want to thank the Lake Katherine Nature Center for giving local students the opportunity to experience nature and learn about Illinois’ natural history,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “I also appreciate their efforts to restore our natural environment for the public to enjoy.”

SPRINGFIELD – During the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring, the Illinois General Assembly passed a law offering additional workers’ compensation protections to first responders and essential workers. Today, State Senator Bill Cunningham led the Illinois Senate in passing a measure to extend those protections by six months.

The law allows essential workers and first responders to file for workers’ compensation benefits if they contract COVID-19 during the course of their employment – providing them with additional economic support while they recover from the illness. Employers have an opportunity to rebut workers’ claims by demonstrating they followed all applicable public health guidelines.

CHICAGO – As local small businesses and not-for-profit groups take in more than half a million dollars in financial assistance in the form of Business Interruption Grants, State Senator Bill Cunningham is urging more to apply.

“This pandemic has been hard on everyone, but it’s been especially painful for small businesses and not-for-profit groups,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “These grants can help keep businesses – and their employees – afloat while we try to get the spread of COVID-19 back under control.”

CHICAGO – Businesses in Chicago and the southwest suburbs that have been hit the hardest by COVID-19-related closures and operating changes are set to receive $680,000 in special relief grants, State Senator Bill Cunningham announced today.

“This Business Interruption Grant program is so important for small businesses that have done everything right by putting the health and safety of their customers and employees first during this pandemic,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “I’m hopeful this first round of grants will help the businesses that make our communities unique.”

The grants are the first round of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program. The state program will award these grants to a variety of businesses, with top priority to those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grants are distributed in awards of $10,000 or $20,000 and can be used to help businesses with expenses like payroll costs, rent, utilities, equipment and other possible unexpected costs to relieve the effects of the pandemic, such as PPE, training, and new technology.

“This pandemic has hit small retailers, independently-owned gyms, and hospitality businesses like bars and restaurants especially hard,” Cunningham said. “That’s why the program is ensuring that these businesses are the priority when grants are being awarded.”

CHICAGO – The Chicago Ridge Public Library is the recipient of a $9,000 mentoring grant from the Illinois secretary of state, State Senator Bill Cunningham announced.

The grant was awarded through the Fiscal Year 2021 Project Next Generation program, which is a mentoring program administered through Illinois public libraries. Mentors work with middle and high school students to help them develop skills needed to use technology and find success through project-based learning. Mentors also help with developing life skills, such as effective communication, goal setting and conflict resolution.

Chicago Ridge is one of 28 public libraries in the state to receive the grant.

“This program will help the young people of Chicago Ridge develop the skills they need for the future,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “It’s especially important to provide more opportunities to disadvantaged youth.”

In all, the secretary of state awarded more than $550,000 in Project Next Generation grants statewide. The money is provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Grants are awarded to public libraries that serve culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations.

“I am committed to improving the lives of at-risk youth in Illinois,” said White.  “I established this innovative program when I first became Secretary of State to give students an opportunity to receive hands-on experience with the latest technological tools at their local library.”