CHICAGO – Over 100 businesses on the Southwest Side and Southwest Suburbs were awarded more than $3.2 million in funding from the Back to Business program thanks to advocacy and support from State Senator Bill Cunningham, and State Representatives Fran Hurley and Kelly Burke. 

“After passing a fiscally responsible budget, I am thrilled to see new investment in our small business community,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs.

A total of $3.21 million was awarded to 106 businesses in the 18^th Senate District. The B2B 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.

SPRINGFIELD –  State Senator Robert Martwick paid his respect to police officers who have fallen in the line of duty during this year’s Illinois Police Officers Memorial Ceremony in Springfield Thursday.

“This ceremony is a small gesture to pay our respects to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “I am honored to have been able to attend this ceremony alongside police officers and their families to reflect on the bravery of those who have given their lives to keep our communities safe and to stand in support of their families during this difficult time.”

The monument in Springfield, located on the west lawn of the State Capitol, bears the names of the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities. It was first dedicated in 1990, and a ceremony is held each year to pay tribute to fallen officers and their families. The names of every officer who died while serving during the previous year are engraved in the monument leading up to the ceremony.

JOLIET – Over 50 businesses across Will and Kendall Counties were awarded a combined $1.8 million in funding from the Back to Business program thanks to advocacy and support from State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel.

“Small businesses bring so much life to our community and programs like Back to Business have been vital in helping them get back on their feet,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “I’m pleased to see so many businesses take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.”

A total of $1.8 million was awarded to 56 businesses in the 49^th District. The B2B 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.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Senate Democrats applaud a new law, which will extend the pension buyout option for state employees to 2026. The bill will strengthen pensions and save taxpayer money.

“The savings generated by the pension buyout program is a big point of pride for me,” said State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago). “I am glad that we put aside our different ideas and worked together to find a bi partisan solution for the state’s most persistent and crippling financial problem. When Democrats and Republicans work together on these core financial issues, every Illinoisan benefits.”

The new law, formerly known as HB 4292, will ensure fiscal responsibility and reduce overall liability costs placed on taxpayers. It follows the inclusion of an additional $500 million contribution to the retirement systems in the last two state budgets.

DuPage Co., Ill. – Thanks to advocacy from State Senators Laura Ellman, Suzy Glowiak Hilton, and Karina Villa, the DuPage County Department of Public Works is set to receive more than $21 million in infrastructure funding for two local water reclamation facilities.

“Water is one of our most precious natural resources, we have to make sure we treat our local rivers and streams with care,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “These funds will help us update our facilities to ensure wastewater going back into the DuPage River and other local streams isn’t hurting our environment.”

The funds come from the Illinois EPA's State Revolving Fund Program, which includes the Water Pollution Control Loan Program and the Public Water Supply Loan Program. These programs provide low-interest loans to fund wastewater, stormwater and drinking water projects.

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) attended the Illinois State Police Officers Memorial in Springfield to pay tribute to fallen officers and their families.

“Honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice is a small gesture to show our support for their families,” Munoz said. “As a former Chicago police officer, the memorial serves as a reminder of the oath police officers take. They protect and keep our communities safe with their bravery, strength and courage.”

CHICAGO – For the fourth time in a year, Illinois has seen another improved bond rating. Fitch Ratings – one of the nation’s major credit rating agencies – announced upgrades Thursday thanks to the fiscally-responsible decisions made by Illinois Democrats.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) – who serves as the Senate’s lead budget negotiator and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee – released the following statement in response:

“When I look at the budget we passed last month, I see the work and years of fiscal responsibility paying off. We were able to pay down our bills and put money back in the pockets of the state’s hardworking families. Illinois is a stand-out state when it comes to putting the needs of our residents first – and we do so in a responsible, equitable way.

“Fitch’s two level rating upgrade shows our fiscally responsible budgeting approach is working and is independent proof that our state is headed in the right direction, our unemployment rate is down and we’ve added thousands of new jobs in key industries, like hospitality and professional services. Our future looks bright and I look forward to continued collaborative efforts with my colleagues to keep Illinois on this upward economic trajectory.”

SPRINGFIELD – It’s National Small Business week and members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus kicked it off by announcing a total of $250 million in small business COVID-19 relief funds have now been granted to through the Back to Business Program.

“This relief program has been a vital investment in thousands of small businesses that keep the economy humming throughout our great state. It has kept doors open and people employed at gyms and restaurants, cleaners, and coffee shops,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “I am hopeful that it made a difference in their economic recovery and will help small businesses thrive in the years to come.”

The Back to Business Program – or B2B– was championed by Illinois Democrats to help small businesses bounce back from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, the program issued nearly 6,500 grants to small businesses in over 475 cities and 90 counties – with 96% of the grants being awarded to disproportionately impacted communities and the hardest-hit industries. Over half of the grants went to businesses owned by people of color.