Illinois Policymakers Should Support Small Businesses
The pandemic and COVID-19 mitigations began inflicting immense damage to small businesses in March 2020. Thousands of small businesses initially applied for Illinois Business Interruption Grants. While these grants helped some small businesses, approximately 80% of applicants were not awarded a grant.
Illinois then received over $8 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds. However, only $250 million was allocated to the new grant program for struggling small businesses. These funds will likely be exhausted before many eligible businesses receive grants. With billions of ARPA funds remaining, policymakers should allocate an additional $300 million for grants to struggling small businesses.
Illinois politicians should finish what they started. They should replenish the Back to Business grant program and promptly get funds to struggling small businesses, some of whom have waited almost two years for a grant to help offset the damage caused by the pandemic and mitigations established to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Please fill out the call to action below and ask your legislators to support struggling small businesses. Thank you for supporting the small business community!
Daily Herald 2021 Economic Outlook Webinar
We were grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Daily Herald 2021 Economic Outlook Webinar. Elliot talked about state legislation that can help individuals, families, small businesses and local communities recover from the pandemic. To watch the webinar, visit our “In The News” section or simply CLICK HERE.
SBAC and A Safe Haven on WCPT Chicago
Elliot Richardson and Neli Vasquez-Rowland on WCPT with Joan Esposito On December 3rd, Elliot Richardson, President and Co-Founder of SBAC and Neli Vasquez-Rowland, Founder and President of A Safe Haven were hosted on WCPT Chicago with Joan Esposito discussing the situation of homelessness and small businesses in Chicago. With the pandemic affecting small businesses on…
Congress Must Provide Relief to Local Chambers and Business Organizations
Congress Must Provide Relief to Local Chambers and Business Organizations Local chambers of commerce and business organizations provide crucial support to the small business community. It is imperative that Congress provide them with the support needed so they can make it through these unprecedented times and help local businesses recover from the pandemic. Over 50…
