CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) announced the local recipients of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Program’s second round of funding.

“I was honored to work with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to secure funding for our local businesses in the 8th District,” Villivalam said. “Small businesses are the engine of our economy and must be prioritized for economic relief to help them through this difficult time.”

Round 2 BIG funding was awarded to over 6,100 small businesses across the state, including 194 small businesses in the 8^th Senate District. $227 million was distributed in Round 2, totaling $276 million in small business relief since the program began.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), who administer the BIG Program, contacted all applicants that hadn’t received a response by Dec. 30, 2020 of their application status. Small businesses that did not receive funding can apply for assistance from their local Small Business Development Center.

For more information of the BIG Program, visit DCEO’s website.