AURORA – Small businesses continue to confront financial hardships as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) is encouraging business owners to apply for assistance through the second round of Business Interruption Grants.

“So many local businesses have faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I’m pleased we have another round of grants available to help them get back on their feet,” said Holmes. “Our small businesses have been resourceful and flexible in adapting to new safety guidelines, and I hope this will give them the assistance they need to bounce back.”

The BIG Program has allocated $220 million in the second round for movie theatres, performing arts venues, concert venues and more to help them stay afloat through this time of crisis and ensure they have the resources to open safely in the coming months.

BIG funds may be used to help businesses cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic.

To ensure funds are distributed across the state and across business type, $60 million has been specifically allocated for heavily distressed industries, including indoor recreation facilities and amusement parks, and another $70 million has been set aside for businesses located in disproportionately impacted areas, or low-income areas that have experienced high rates of COVID-19.  For a full list of eligible zip codes, click here.

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 earlier this year. Those grants went to Illinois restaurants and bars, barbershops and salons, and fitness centers. In the Aurora area, 33 local businesses received a combined $540,000.

“It was gratifying to see our local businesses get this boost in the first round of the BIG Program,” Holmes said. “I encourage affected businesses in this round’s categories to apply for funding as soon as they can.”

Applications open Thursday, Sept. 17 and can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website alongside a full list of criteria.

DANVILLE — With the 2020 Census entering the final stages of its count, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) and State Representative Mike Marron (R-Fithian) are reminding Vermilion County residents to complete the census for their household. 

“As the census draws to a close, I would encourage folks in Vermilion County to take a few minutes to complete the census so our community receives the resources and representation it deserves,” Bennett said. “Until there’s a 100% response rate, schools, roads, hospitals and other critical community services could be negatively affected. I encourage you to participate in the 2020 Census and get counted before the Sept. 30 deadline.”

Across Vermilion County, participation in the 2020 Census is lower than in the 2010 Census. Only 65.3% of Vermilion County residents have completed their census forms this year, as opposed to 70.2% of residents in 2010.

Marron says he is encouraging residents in the 104th district he represents in East Central Illinois to make sure they are counted, noting communities lose out on funding and representation for every person that does not fill out the census.

"September 30, 2020, is your last day to make sure you are counted in the census. The process is simple and completed online in about 10 minutes total," Marron said. "The census count affects the number of Federal tax dollars that make their way back to our communities. An accurate count also ensures that the residents of East Central Illinois will have adequate representation going forward for the next ten years."

The census is now safer, more secure and just as confidential. Filling out the form is crucial, as data from the 2020 Census will be used to draw new congressional district maps, helps determine how federal funds flow into states and provides information that will affect communities across Illinois for the next 10 years.

“Completing the Census is one of the most fundamental ways our citizens can invest in our community!  It only takes a few minutes to answer nine quick questions, and the return on investment for doing so is amazing,” Danville Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. said.  “Remember, not only do we lose approximately $1,400 for every person who doesn't reply, but our congressional representation is directly dependent on folks being accurately counted in our community. Therefore, if you haven't already done so, please complete your census response today!”

Residents can complete the census for their household at www.my2020census.gov or by phone at 844-330-2020.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) and Pat McGuire (D-Crest Hill) will host a subject matter hearing on early childhood education funding and access to early literacy Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 12 p.m.

“Illinois children should be given the opportunity to succeed – from the day they enter preschool,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “That starts with expanding evidence-based funding to early childhood education programs.”

CHICAGO—In response to longstanding racial disparities in early childhood education, K-12 education, higher education, and other forms of workforce training, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus will discuss their developing agenda to provide equitable resources to students in Black communities throughout the state at a press conference at Chicago State University on Wednesday.

Education is the second of four major policy pillars the Black Caucus is focusing on to develop their legislative agenda. They include:

• Criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability
• Education and workforce development
• Economic access, equity and opportunity
• Health care and human services

A virtual joint hearing on education and higher education will follow the press conference at noon on Wednesday. The Black Caucus plans to have a series of hearings for each of the pillars. A hearing for the first pillar was already held. It focused on police accountability.

Who: Illinois Legislative Black Caucus

When: Sept. 16, 10 a.m.

Where: The press conference will be held at Chicago State University located at 9501 South King Dr., in the 4^th floor auditorium of the Gwendolyn Brooks Library. It can also be viewed on www.blueroomstream.com, a subscription-based service.

CHICAGO—Illinois legislators examined disparities in sentencing throughout Illinois during a virtual joint Senate committee hearing on Tuesday.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Criminal Law Committee, and State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Public Safety Special Committee, co-chaired the joint hearing. State Representative Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago), chair of the House Judiciary-Criminal Law Committee, and other members of the committee also participated.

“To truly combat racism within our criminal justice system we must evaluate our sentencing policies,” Sims said. “No longer should the color of your skin affect the length of your sentence. We have to strike a balance between protecting the public and ensuring that bad actors receive sentences that fit the crime. This subject matter hearing provided fruitful insight from all sides that will be useful to develop meaningful reform in the future.”

This is the second Senate Criminal Law Committee hearing prompted by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ efforts to develop an agenda to address systemic racism ahead of the upcoming veto session. Criminal Justice Reform is one of the four pillars guiding the Black Caucus’ legislative agenda. They include:

1. Criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability
2. Education and workforce development
3. Economic access, equity and opportunity
4. Health care and human services

“Decades of unsuccessful sentencing laws have done nothing to reduce gun violence, and are rooted in a history of racist ‘tough on crime’ safety policies,” Peters said. “There is nothing prideful or righteous about clinging to failure. If we truly do want to win real safety and justice in our communities, then we must commit to real, tangible change.

“Half measures are not working, and we’ve seen that over the years and years of failed policy,” Peters continued. “It is now, in the midst of an economic, public health and systemic racism crisis, that we must remember the famous words of one of our country’s greatest leaders: ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.’”

The Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday discussed sentencing reform in the areas of truth-in-sentencing, mandatory minimums, three strikes enhancements and re-sentencing after decriminalization.

Legislators heard testimony from the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council, the Illinois State’s Attorneys Association, the John Howard Association, the Illinois Public Defenders Association and a retired judge, Donald Bernardi.

“As we continue our work to demand justice and equality, it is critical that we dismantle the systemic racism that exists in our criminal justice system and continue working for real reforms that put an end to oppressive and unjust sentencing,” said Slaughter.

The Black Caucus organized another joint Senate Criminal Law Committee and Special Committee on Public Safety earlier this month focused on police accountability.

DES PLAINES – In a continued effort to provide aid to small businesses struggling with income losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is notifying local business owners that applications for the second round of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program will be made available Thursday, Sept. 17 and will offer $220 million in funds for small businesses hit hardest by the ongoing pandemic.

“For the shops, restaurants, event venues and other businesses that bolster our local economies, these funds can’t come soon enough,” said Murphy. “I encourage business owners to look over the program requirements and gather necessary materials to make sure they can apply as soon as the application period opens.”

The second wave of BIG funding aims to provide relief for all types of small businesses, with provisions to ensure hardest-hit industries – including movie theaters, event venues, hotels, livestock farms and more – receive priority. Businesses with outstanding loan debts under the Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan program will also be eligible for assistance.

Of the total available funding, $70 million has been set aside for businesses in disproportionately impacted areas, or the zip codes facing the greatest economic distress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Murphy’s district, businesses located in the 60018 zip code in Des Plaines qualify for this aid.

Eligible businesses include businesses and nonprofits with $20 million or less in annual revenue in 2019. Businesses must also be able to demonstrate losses due to COVID-19 in excess of the grant amount.

“Small businesses make our communities home,” said Murphy. “I’m pleased to see more support becoming available to help our main streets start to rebuild.”

A preliminary application, application checklist, business certification forms and a list of eligible costs are now available on the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website. The full application will become available on the page starting Sept. 17.

The first round of BIG funding awarded over $49 million in grants last month to approximately 2,800 businesses across the state. The BIG program is part of a series of relief programs created by the state to help businesses and communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

NAPERVILLE – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced it will begin testing all community water supplies in the state for potential contaminants, a decision State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) says could help protect the health of both residents and the environment.

The Illinois EPA will begin testing for per- and polyfluoroaklyl substances (PFAS), human-made chemicals that do not occur naturally in the environment. They are widely used for waterproofing and stain-fighting applications in a range of commercial products such as waterproof clothing, food wrappers and many household products.

JOLIET — State Senator Pat McGuire urges businesses in Will County affected by the current COVID-19 Resurgence Mitigations to apply for economic assistance announced today by Governor JB Pritzker.

“The measures needed to stop the spread of COVID-19 require extra sacrifice from certain businesses,” McGuire said. “That’s why the new Business Interruption Grants grant competition prioritizes those businesses.”