ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – In an effort to provide support to small business owners facing economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) announced 34 local businesses will receive over $500,000 through the Business Interruption Grant program.

“The small business community in our area and across the state    are the backbone of the economy,” Gillespie said. “As legislators,    it’s our job to do everything we can can to assist them.”

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 businesses hit particularly hard by pandemic-related closures and restrictions.

First round grants range from $10,000 to $20,000 and may be used to help businesses with working expenses, including payroll costs, rent, utilities and any other pandemic-related expenses, such as personal protective equipment, new technology and training. To ensure ongoing support for Illinois small businesses, the State of Illinois has planned future rounds of funding.

“COVID-19 has effected minority-owned businesses especially hard,” Gillespie said. “They need this grant money, and I’m pleased that the state is doing what’s necessary to help our small business community stay afloat. That’s also why this program helps ensure that businesses in disproportionately affected areas take priority when grants are being awarded.”

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.