OAKBROOK TERRACE –To help offset financial losses stemming from the pandemic, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is pleased to learn 12 businesses in the district she represents have received financial assistance from the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program, and she is encouraging more to apply.

“As we work to curb the rising number of COVID-19 cases, small business owners and employees are among the hardest hit by mitigation efforts,” Glowiak Hilton said. “These grants will support operating costs, and I encourage any business struggling to keep their doors open to apply as soon as possible.”

In the district Glowiak Hilton represents, 12 businesses received a combined $420,000 in grants. Each business received between $5,000 and $85,000 to be used to help cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic. 

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded the grants this week, as part of the second round of the BIG program. However, applications will remain open until all of the funding is spent. 

“These grants can help offset some costs, but our community must also come together to support our local businesses during this difficult time,” Glowiak Hilton said. “With the holiday season approaching, I urge residents to look locally first when shopping.”

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are available on DCEO’s website. 

For a complete list of awardees, click here.

CHICAGO – Nearly a dozen local businesses in the district State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) represents was awarded financial relief through the state’s Business Interruption Grant program. Now, she’s urging even more businesses to apply.

“I am pleased many businesses in the district took advantage of the assistance, and hope more will continue to do so,” Villanueva said. “These grants will go a long way to help struggling businesses keep their doors open.”

Eleven businesses in the district Villanueva represents received a combined $360,000. Each business received between $5,000 and $150,000 to be used to help cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded the grants this week, as part of the second round of the BIG program. However, applications will remain open until all of the funding is spent. Villanueva encourages any small business in need to apply. Priority funding will be given to businesses located in areas with increased mitigation efforts.

“This pandemic had been especially tough on Latinx and Black communities – who already have fewer resources during a non-pandemic time,” Villanueva said. “Any business who still needs assistance is encouraged to apply as soon as possible.”

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are available on DCEO’s website.

Villanueva: fondos de asistencia a negocios pequeños ayudarán a mantener una comunidad vibrante  

CHICAGO – Casi una docena de negocios en el distrito que representa la senadora Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) recibieron asistencia financiera del Programa Estatal para la Interrupción de Negocios. Ahora, la senadora invita a que más negocios soliciten los fondos.

“Estoy complacida de que tantos negocios en mi distrito hayan aprovechado la ayuda y espero que otros más lo hagan en el futuro,” dijo Villanueva. “Estos recursos harán una gran diferencia para contribuir a los negocios que enfrentan retos financieros mantengan sus puertas abiertas.”

Once negocios en el distrito que representa Villanueva recibieron en conjunto $360,000. Cada establecimiento recibió entre $5,000 y $150,000, que deben ser usados para pagar la nómina, renta, servicios y otros gastos durante el tiempo en que han alterado su funcionamiento por la pandemia.

El Departamento de Comercio y Oportunidad Económica de Illinois otorgó estos fondos esta semana como parte de la segunda ronda del Programa BIG. Sin embargo, la solicitud de fondos sigue abierta hasta que todos los recursos sean usados. Villanueva invita a todos los negocios pequeños que lo necesiten a que presenten su solicitud. Se dará prioridad a los establecimientos ubicados en áreas donde se implementan más medidas de mitigación para evitar contagios de COVID-19.

“La pandemia ha sido especialmente dura con la comunidad Latinx y afroamericana -quienes de por sí tenían menos recursos antes de la crisis sanitaria,” dijo Villanueva. “Todos los negocios que requieran apoyo deben solicitar estos fondos lo antes posible.”

El Programa BIG, es el programa de apoyo económico estatal más grande que fue diseñado para responder a las pérdidas causadas por la pandemia de COVID-19. La solicitud de fondos está disponible en el sitio de internet del DCEO en esta liga.   

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) is pleased 25 businesses in the district he represents received financial assistance from the Businesses Interruption Grant program to help offset financial losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, and he is encouraging businesses to continue to apply.

“Small businesses have faced some of the greatest financial losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Martwick said. “These funds are important to help keep business doors open while keeping the community safe.”

Twenty-five businesses in the district Martwick represents have received a combined $505,000. Each business received between $5,000 and $150,000 to help offset costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have been interrupted due to the pandemic.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded the grants this week, as part of the second round of BIG Grants. However, applications will remain open until all of the funding is spent.

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Applications are available on the DCEO’s website.

To continue its work to combat systemic racism, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus held a number of committees during the last week of October, covering topics from a lack of diversity in the workforce to disparities within the health care system.

The Senate held a joint hearing Monday to discuss the vast disparities Illinoisans face in access to treatment for addiction and mental health disorders.

“It’s crucial that we examine the intersections of mental health, bias and incarceration rates,” said Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Public Health Committee. “One in five people shot and killed by the police suffered from mental illness. People who should be getting treated for their illnesses are instead being abused, killed and locked up. We must begin to look at these issues differently.”

Legislators heard from mental health advocates including Dr. Rashad Saafir, CEO of Bobby E. Wright Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center, who broke down the cycle of disparity: Many African Americans who go to the emergency room for a mental health or addiction crisis will be released without continued care, oftentimes returning to homelessness. On the streets, where police serve as first responders, people who are mentally ill are more likely to be arrested. While incarcerated, they have little to no access to mental and behavioral health care.

Saturday event at Second Federal Self-Help Credit Union cancelled

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva is joining with other local elected officials and businesses for a candy giveaway today, Friday, Oct. 30 in an effort to create a safer environment to distribute candy to children for the Halloween holiday.

A Little Village trick-or-treating event previously scheduled for Saturday at the Second Federal Self-Help Credit Union has been cancelled, and today’s candy giveaway is taking its place.

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced several local businesses will receive financial assistance from the Business Interruption Grant program to help offset financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The BIG program has demonstrated what can be done when we lawmakers in Springfield put our heads together and proactively seek ways to help those we serve,” Koehler said. “Because of this, businesses that have served our communities for generations are able to continue operations.”

28 businesses in the tri-county area received a combined $1,425,000 in $5,000-$150,000 grants to help cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic.

DES PLAINES – More than $700,000 has been awarded to 18 North Suburban businesses through the second round of the Business Interruption Grants (BIG) program, and millions of dollars are still available, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced Friday.

“Over the past few months, small businesses have not only been faced with losses as a result of pandemic-related closures, but also the extra costs that come with adhering to state health guidelines,” said Murphy. “These funds will allow them to continue operating with customer and staff safety in mind.”

In the district Murphy represents, 18 businesses—including restaurants, salons and event venues—received a combined $730,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 and $150,000 to be used to help cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic.

In total, more than $46 million has been awarded to 1,200 local businesses across the state in the second round of the BIG program. This investment builds on the $49 million awarded to more than 2,800 businesses in the first round of funding.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded the grants this week, but applications will remain open until all of the funding is spent.

“Thousands of businesses across the state have already taken advantage of the BIG program, but there’s still time to apply for remaining funds,” said Murphy. “I encourage all affected businesses to submit an application as soon as they can.”

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are available on the DCEO website.

DOLTON – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) is thrilled to learn 20 local businesses have been awarded funding through the Business Interruption Grant to help counter the financial struggles that have been endured throughout the pandemic. 

“Illinois is fighting to keep small businesses operating. Small businesses are the backbone of our society and supply many jobs for local community members,” Harris said. “More business should apply for this grant opportunity in order to receive financial assistance.”  

Twenty businesses in the district Harris represents received a combined $365,000. Each business received between $5,000 and $150,000 to be used to help cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic.