WEST CHICAGO – More than $3 million in Back to Business grants will be awarded to small businesses across the 25^th District, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) announced.

“Local businesses bring so much life to our community,” Villa said. “Especially through the challenges of the last two years, the services they provide have been absolutely vital and, now more than ever, they need our support.”

Sixty-three local businesses will be receiving a total of $3,125,000 in COVID-19 relief funds in the latest round of B2B grants through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Roughly $200 million in B2B grants has already been awarded to small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on disproportionately impacted areas. With nearly $50 million left to go, more businesses will have the opportunity to get a share of the relief funds.

“Programs like Back to Business have been absolutely integral to helping our small businesses back on their feet,” Villa said. “I’m so pleased to see so many businesses in the district take advantage of this great opportunity to receive such well-deserved investment.”

Grants will continue to be awarded on a rolling basis. Visit the DCEO website for more information on the B2B program or check the status of an existing application by logging into the portal.

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