SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) congratulated local businesses that were awarded grants from the latest round of the Back to Business program awards.

The B2B program allocated $250 million in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover a wide range of operations such as staff and overhead costs.

“I am happy to see the Back to Business grants going toward businesses in our neighborhoods that need help to get back on their feet,” Martwick said. “These funds will help struggling business owners return to operation and pay their employees.”

Twenty-three businesses in the district Martwick represents have already received $1.4 million in grants. They include restaurants, retail stores, and limousine companies, demonstrating the diversity of the local small business community. For a full list of businesses that have received Back to Business grants, visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awards page at illinois.gov/B2BAwards.