Illinois Launches Back to Business (B2B) NewBiz Program
The application window for the B2B NewBiz program opens on November 30, 2023, and will remain open until January 11, 2024.
The Small Business Advocacy Council has advocated for a program that provides grant funding to businesses that launched in 2020 (prior to the pandemic) and in 2020 and 2021 after the pandemic began. Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) have launched the Back to Business (B2B) NewBiz program, which allocates $25 million for grants to businesses that launched in 2020 and 2021 in certain industries, or businesses started by people that became unemployed during the pandemic.
Details about the grant program, including eligibility and grant sizes, can be found here.
The SBAC will continue to provide important information about funding opportunities for small businesses.
Check out more small business grant opportunities here!
Summarization of EEOC Vaccine Guidelines
December 16th – The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has addressed the most common employer questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. As of now, there are currently no state or federal laws that prohibit employers from requiring vaccinations as a condition of employment, however, employees can refuse to get the vaccine if they have certain medical…
Rebuilding Lives and Businesses
Hard-working Americans had no idea what was coming in February of 2020. It seemed unfathomable that many small businesses would face the possibility of permanently closing or their employees would be without jobs in the spring. With the resurgence of Covid-19 cases, the situation for both small businesses and their employees has become even…
Ordinance Makes It Easier for Entrepreneurs to Operate Home-Based Businesses in Chicago
The pandemic has cost Chicagoans jobs and recently unemployed individuals may explore starting their own business. However, these budding entrepreneurs may not have the funds to rent space. Indeed, even more established entrepreneurs may need to consider moving their businesses into a residence for the time being given the economic impact of the pandemic. This is…
