Supporting Struggling Small Businesses
The pandemic and Covid-19 mitigations began inflicting immense damage to many small businesses in March of 2020. Thousands of small businesses initially applied for Illinois Business Interruption Grants. While these grants helped some small businesses, approximately 80% of eligible small businesses which applied were not awarded a grant.
Subsequently, Illinois received over 8 billion dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funds. However, only $250 million were allocated for Back to Business grant program. These funds will likely be exhausted before many struggling and eligible businesses receive grants.
Illinois still has billions of federal funds and should replenish the Back to Business grant program with an additional $300 million. Our policymakers should not pick winners and loses when there is adequate funding to support the struggling small businesses.
House Bill HB5489 will allocate an additional $300 million for the Back to Business grant program. Please ask your legislators to support this legislation so that struggling small businesses can receive the support they need to recover from a pandemic, and associated mitigations, which they could not control.
Cook County Assessor Candidate Forum
SBAC Presents: Cook County Assessor Candidate Forum 2022 The SBAC and a robust number of business organizations held a candidate forum for Cook County Assessor. You can watch the forum and hear from Cook County Assessor Friz Kaegi, Commissioner Kari Steele and Mr. Tsatsoulis the individuals running for Cook County Assessor here! We have marked…
REVITALIZATION IN THE NEWS: Outdoor Dining Along Glenwood Avenue in Rogers Park Kicks Off Friday As Part Of Chicago Alfresco Program
“The program could be renewed for up to three if this run is successful,” Hadden wrote. Dining in the streets returns Friday to Rogers Park on Glenwood Avenue. This is a part of the Chicago Alfresco initiative, which seeks to create opportunities for long term community public spaces across Chicago. Small businesses are an integral…
REVITALIZATION IN THE NEWS: City Leaders Announce 15,000 Jobs for Teens and Young Adults
New summer opportunities available for Chicago’s teens and young adults. Jobs, volunteer opportunities and arts programs will be available at Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Libraries and other city agencies. This comes after the pandemic has sidelined these programs over the past two years. These programs making a return provide a…
