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!
501(c)(6) Relief
Stimulus for 501(c)(6) Organizations Small businesses, nonprofits, and chambers of commerce across the nation are struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the CARES Act included relief for 501(c)(3) organizations, 501(c)(6)s were inexplicably excluded from this important legislation that would have provided significant aid to these crucial nonprofits, including local chambers of…
Occupational Licensing Reform
READ H.B 4012 Why Occupational Licensing Needs Reform Occupational licenses are issued to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare. The number of required licenses in Illinois has grown from a handful in the 1950’s to over 430 today. Policymakers across the political spectrum are challenging states to examine occupational licensing and its impact on…
Support Small Business and Prevent Foreclosures
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on the small business community. Many small businesses are struggling to pay their employees and rent. Commercial property owners cannot pay their mortgage when their small business tenants cannot pay rent. Without swift action, small businesses will fail and foreclosures will skyrocket. Federal Legislation Needed The…
