EAST ST. LOUIS – With so many small business owners facing economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) announced 25 local businesses will receive a combined $430,000 through the Business Interruption Grant program.

“I’m glad to see many local small businesses took advantage of this grant opportunity to receive some financial relief from this pandemic,” Belt said. “I understand it will take more than a grant for many of these businesses to fully recover. However, this is still a great step in helping the regrowth of these businesses.” 

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded a total of $46 million to 2,655 small businesses in the first round of BIG funding. The BIG program offers grants to Illinois restaurants and bars, barbershops and salons, and fitness centers that have suffered pandemic-related losses, with a focus on businesses in the hardest-hit areas of the state.

First round grants range from $10,000 to $20,000 and may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs, rent and utilities. The funds may also be used to cover pandemic-related expenses, such as PPE, training and new technology.

To ensure ongoing support for Illinois small businesses, the State of Illinois has planned future rounds of funding, including a special program for child care providers. The application deadline for this program is Aug. 14.

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the COVID-19 economic downturn. The full list of grant recipients is available here.

CHICAGO – In an effort to provide support to small business owners facing economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) announced more than $3 million in Business Interruption Grants for hundreds of businesses in her district.

“I am pleased businesses in my district received $3 million in Business Interruption Grants,” Hunter said. “First, businesses in my community were devastated by COVID-19, followed by civil unrest and looting. My heart goes out to them for all the hardships they’ve faced these past several months. People put their whole lives into their businesses, and deserve to see their hard work pay off.”

Nearly 3,000 Illinois businesses were awarded a total of $46 million in the first round of BIG grants by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The BIG program offers grants to Illinois restaurants and bars, barbershops and salons, and fitness centers that have suffered pandemic-related losses, with a focus on businesses in the hardest-hit areas of the state.

The first round of grants range from $10,000 to $20,000 each, which may be used to help with working capital expenses, including payroll costs and rent. Pandemic-related expenses, such as PPE, training and new technology may also be covered by the funds.

Additionally, $270 million of the state’s Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency (CURE) Fund is aimed to support the economic health of child care providers. Today is the deadline to apply.

“This is a much-needed award for the businesses in my district,” said Hunter. “These grants won’t solve everything that’s happened these past few months, but surely they will help equip businesses with valuable resources during this time of uncertainty.”

The BIG program is the nation’s largest economic support program formed in response to the COVID-19 economic downturn. The complete list of grant recipients can be found here.

CHICAGO – After conflicting reports regarding an officer-involved shooting sparked confusion and violence in the city, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is calling for transparency.

“As I’ve said before, there is a big difference between those who protest in the streets for justice, and those who are looting for opportunity,” Van Pelt said. “There are people grieving the disparities in our community, questioning the credibility of the police after they shot yet another Black man. In many cases, these people are not the same as the looters.”

Though it has been reported that Latrell Allen shot at officers first, many Black Chicagoans still question the credibility of the Chicago Police Department’s account. Despite mandatory body camera policies, there is currently no video evidence of the incident. Allen’s public defender claims he was shot in the back, which is a narrative all too familiar in the longstanding case against police brutality and Black men — including the deaths of Rayshard Brooks and Walter Scott.

More than 100 people were arrested Monday following the looting of various store fronts downtown. Englewood residents fed up with the looting blocked Black Lives Matter protesters when they entered the neighborhood Tuesday, stating that protestors will amp up tensions with the police, but won’t be there when it’s time for Englewood residents to deal with the backlash.

“Tensions were already high due to stress and issues stemming from coronavirus, not to mention police brutality,” Van Pelt said. “We have a desperate need for more transparency between local authorities and civilians. We have a desperate need to come together, to love each other, to put an end to the nonsense. I am working every day to bring together these gaps, to dispel the inequities that have been debasing our city.”

Allen, 20, has been charged with attempted first degree murder and is recovering at the University of Chicago Medical Center. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the officer-involved shooting. Another protest against police brutality is expected to take place Saturday.

PLAINFIELD — To help business owners who have faced financial uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) announced more than 25 local business in Will and Kendall Counties will receive assistance through the Business Interruption Grant Program. 

“Small businesses owners are dealing with a lot of uncertainties,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Our small businesses play a vital role in our communities, and I am pleased many have been awarded assistance to keep their doors open.”

A total of 26 business in Will and Kendall Counties received a combined $420,000. Each business received between $10,000 and $20,000 to be used to help with working capital expenses, including payroll costs, rent and utilities. The funds may also be used to cover pandemic-related expenses, such as personal protective equipment, training and new technology.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded a total of $46 million to 2,655 small businesses in the first round of BIG funding. The BIG program offers grants to Illinois restaurants and bars, barbershops and salons, and fitness centers that have suffered pandemic-related losses, with a focus on businesses in the hardest-hit areas of the state.

To ensure ongoing support for Illinois small businesses, the State of Illinois has planned future rounds of funding, including a special program for child care providers. The application deadline for the child care program is Aug. 14.

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the COVID-19 economic downturn. The full list of grant recipients is available here.

GLENVIEW – To support small business owners as they adapt to new health and safety guidelines, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced 56 local businesses will receive a combined $930,000 through the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program.

“With our state in recovery mode, these grants will give business owners the boost they need to reopen in a way that’s safe for staff and customers,” said Fine. “BIG funding can help get our local economy back on its feet without sacrificing our progress in the fight against COVID-19.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded a total of $46 million to 2,655 small businesses in the first round of BIG funding. The BIG program offers grants to Illinois restaurants and bars, barbershops and salons, and fitness centers that have suffered pandemic-related losses, with a focus on businesses in the hardest-hit areas of the state.

First round grants range from $10,000 to $20,000 and may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs, rent and utilities. The funds may also be used to cover pandemic-related expenses, such as personal protective equipment, training and new technology.

“This first round of funding is a step toward ensuring a total recovery for our small business community,” said Fine. “I encourage everyone to shop local when possible to help our main streets bounce back from the COVID-19 crisis.”

To ensure ongoing support for small businesses, the State of Illinois has planned future rounds of funding. The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the COVID-19 economic downturn. The full list of grant recipients is available here.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is highlighting small business grants the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is awarding to Rockford businesses and other small business communities across the state that have been hit the hardest by COVID-19-related losses and closures.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of my community and of our state,” Stadelman said. “They need this grant money to survive and I’m proud that we are doing everything possible at the state level to help our small business community stay afloat.”

The grants are the first round of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program. The state program will award funds to businesses that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a large portion of the grants being awarded to child care providers.

The first round of grants range from $10,000-$20,000 and can be used to help businesses with expenses like payroll costs, rent, utilities, equipment and other possible unexpected costs to relieve the effects of the pandemic, such as PPE, training, and new technology.

“This pandemic has hit smaller and minority owned businesses especially hard,” Stadelman said. “That’s why the program is ensuring that these businesses take priority when grants are being awarded.”  

The first round of awards includes a diverse group of businesses and focuses on small businesses. Recipients are required to prove annual revenues of $3 million or lower.

A list of grant recipients can be found here.

CHICAGO – In response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state’s economy and more specifically, Illinois’ transportation and infrastructure system and workforce, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, led a virtual hearing focused on transparency and diversity goals as it relates to contracts with the Illinois Tollway Authority. 

Among those who gave testimony to the committee were representatives from the Illinois Tollway Authority, the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association, the African American Contractors Association, the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association, the Federation of Women Contractors, and the Asian American Contractors Enterprise.

CHAMPAIGN – In a victory for the Champaign-Urbana business community, Business Interruption Grants have been awarded to 50 local businesses severely impacted by the COVID-19 closures, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced Thursday.

“Our small business community continues to be hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis,” Bennett said. “These grants offer assistance to businesses at a time they need it most, and hopefully will allow them to get back on their feet.”

Businesses from the Champaign-Urbana area received a combined $910,000 in grants. Grant recipients span a wide range of industries, including restaurants, retail, personal care services and more.