Pandemic relief funds available for business, Gonzalez says

From staff reports

State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. (D-21^st) is calling attention to a new round of Back to Business grants available to local businesses dealing with financial hardship related to the pandemic.

“For years now, the COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for small business owners throughout Illinois, but they have largely persevered despite this,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “However, our small business owners deserve financial support, and I’m committed to making sure they have it. Over $100 million in Back to Business grants are now available from the DCEO to lend a hand to those who might need it, and I encourage people to take advantage.”

State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has more than $115 million in unassigned funding for Back to Business grants, and they are currently taking applications. This program was recently running out of funding, but new money has been apportioned due to its initial success. Eligibility guidelines and information about applying can be found at www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Documents/B2B_EligibilityGuidelines.pdf.

Businesses with some of the following characteristics will be prioritized:

• Businesses in industries hit especially hard by COVID-19;
• Businesses in areas hit especially hard by COVID-19;
• Businesses that had less than $5 million in revenue in 2019;
• Businesses yet to qualify for state or federal assistance.

“I have always maintained my commitment to fiscal responsibility, and central to that is spending money where it can really have an impact,” Gonzalez said. “Back to Business grants have time and again demonstrated that they can do a lot of good for businesses that are hurting. Clearly, they are a great example of fiscally-responsible spending, and, as we go to the negotiating table regarding the coming budget, I will fight for programs like this to be funded.”

For more information about the legislation, or any other questions, constituents may reach out to Gonzalez’s office at (708) 295-9159 or email repgonzalez21@gmail.com.