WAUKEGAN – With support from State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove), 34 additional businesses in the 30th Senate District have been awarded $1.3 million in combined grants for pandemic-related recovery efforts.

“To offer support to some of our state’s hardest hit industries, this funding was awarded to a diverse, inclusive group of small business owners,” Johnson said. “The local Back to Business grant awardees allow business owners in Cook and Lake counties to retain employees, cover operating expenses and serve patrons effectively as our economy recovers from financial strains.”

The Back to Business grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget. So far – thanks to strong support from Johnson – DCEO has provided $111 million in B2B grants to nearly 3,000 small businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on disproportionately impacted areas.

In the district Johnson represents, 56 businesses in total were awarded grants ranging from $5,000 to $175,000 to help them cover the costs of safely staying open through the ongoing pandemic . Businesses ranged from hotels to restaurants and more.

“Small businesses have been resilient throughout closures, supply chain issues and other pandemic-related burdens,” Johnson said. “We can all help by prioritizing shopping small and utilizing the services our community has.”

Businesses will continue to be notified of their application status throughout the next few weeks until all the funds are exhausted. Visit the DCEO website for more information on the B2B program and view a full list of grantees here.

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