AURORA –Aurora will receive $1.2 million in funds to boost the local business community, thanks to Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will provide grants to enhance and revitalize local businesses, made possible by Illinois’ historic Rebuild Illinois Capital Program, legislation supported by Holmes in 2019.

HB 572 works to stop predatory contract loan practice in pet stores; HB 168 addresses animal cruelty in public housing

SPRINGFIELD – A longtime animal rights advocate in the Illinois State Senate, Senate Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) had two of her new laws highlighted in the Illinois Senate Democrats’ annual feature on top new laws.

HB 572 prohibits the predatory lending practice by pet stores who charge high lending rates for customers purchasing high priced pets on credit.  Pet stores in Illinois who offer installment contract loans for the purchase of a cat or dog may no longer offer that service.

AURORA – The Aurora Municipal Airport in the 42^nd District, represented by State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), will receive much-needed upgrades thanks to nearly $1.6 million in state funding.

“As Aurora continues to grow, our transportation hubs must be up to par to serve our economy,” Holmes said. “The airport provides good-paying jobs to area residents, and lets local businesses and industries move their people and products in a safe and efficient manner.”

The funding is provided through the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, and designates a total of $94 million for 96 airport projects in urban and rural communities across the state. Projects will include planning, construction, reconstruction, development and improvement of public airports to increase safety and efficiency. Communities also will benefit from increased aviation access, good-paying jobs during construction and long-term opportunities for workforce expansion.

Aurora Municipal Airport will receive $1.3 million to rehabilitate parking lots and the entrance road, and $279,000 to overlay perimeter roadways.

“I’m excited to see how these improvements will help Aurora’s future economy and job market by attracting more business,” Holmes said. “These grants allow smaller airports in our state to make much-needed repairs and modernize their facilities.”

A full list of recipients as well as designated projects can be found on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s website.

AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) has announced more encouraging news for local businesses recovering from the pandemic who have received grants in the latest round of the Back to Business grant program.

The B2B program is providing millions in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. Grants range 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.

Aurora-area businesses received more than $650,000 in last round

AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) encourages local businesses struggling from the pandemic to apply for the latest round of the Back to Business grant program before the Oct. 13 deadline.

Overall, the B2B program will provide $250 million in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. Grants will range 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 want to see as many local small businesses as possible applying for these grants that can make a big difference in recovering and thriving after the economic hit of the pandemic,” Holmes said. “As a former small business owner, I know they must leverage every possible resource.”

Priority is given to businesses in hard-hit industries, in hard-hit areas, and with revenues less than $5 million, as well as businesses that have not yet received any government assistance. Eligibility guidelines are also available in: Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Hindi, and Arabic.

Ten businesses in the district Holmes represents have already received more than $650,000 in grants. They include technology, hospitality and food and beverage businesses, demonstrating the diversity of the local small business community and how many different kinds of businesses are eligible for grants.

Learn more about the B2B grant program and start an application on the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website .The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 13.

Aurora, Ill. – Motorists who have been unable to visit a driver services facility to renew their driver’s licenses and purchase vehicle stickers will be able to attend a free mobile unit event in Oswego, sponsored by State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) and Representative Keith Wheeler (R-North Aurora) in partnership with the secretary of state’s office.

The free event will be available to motorists Friday, October 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oswego Village Hall, 100 Parkers Mill Place in Oswego.

“The secretary of state’s mobile unit is a one-stop shop to help people access these important state services,” Holmes said. “I encourage people to take advantage of this safe and convenient way to renew driver’s licenses or vehicle registration.”

The unit operates like a DMV office and offers driver’s license renewals, identification cards and license plate stickers. Attendees must wear face coverings, and social distancing rules must be followed.

Holmes reminds residents that REAL ID services will not be available at the mobile unit. The deadline to obtain a REAL ID has been extended to May 3, 2023.

In addition, Holmes and Wheeler invite local veterans to use this event to add a veteran designation to their driver’s license or state ID. For veteran designation, residents must bring their DD-214 or NAF 13038. For more information about veteran ID services, residents can call the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs at 1-800-437-9824.

With questions or for additional information, residents are encouraged to contact Holmes’ district office at 630-820-8650 or Wheeler’s office at 630-345-3464.

AURORA – The Illinois Department of Employment Security and Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology have launched a new identity verification and multi-factor authentication solution for IDES’ unemployment insurance benefits system, according to Assistant Majority Leader and Senate Labor Committee Chair Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).

“During the course of the pandemic, IDES experienced problems with security for the accounts and personal information of unemployed Illinoisans filing claims. States across the nation experienced fraud as unemployment hit unprecedented levels,” Holmes said. “This new ILogin system will strengthen existing protections for users and help the agency find and deal with fraudulent activity attempts.”

AURORA – The Illinois Department of Employment Security will now begin to restore its in-person workforce and limited unemployment services at the American Job Center in North Aurora, State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) announced Monday.

“Restoring in-person unemployment and workforce facilities will make it easier for area residents to get back to work and address any issues regarding unemployment claims,” Holmes said. “The devastating effect of the pandemic on the economy have brought working families unprecedented adversity.”