Apply for the Cook County Small Business Source Grow Grant Program!
The SBAC advocates for the small business community in numerous ways, including by disseminating important information about programs that will support small businesses. The Cook County Small Business Source Grow Grant program will provide grants to certain small businesses still struggling to recover from the pandemic.
This $25.5 million program will give $10,000 grants, as well as advising and coaching sessions, to eligible small businesses in Cook County.
Small Businesses looking to apply must meet the following criteria:
- Be located in Cook County, Illinois
- Have less than 20 employees
- Have operated and conducted business before March 2020
- Have experienced a decrease in revenue or gross receipts, increased costs, or greater financial insecurity due to COVID
Priority will be given to the following groups of small businesses
- Microbusinesses with under 10 employees
- Businesses located in suburban Cook County
- Businesses in the hardest hit sectors: Accommodation, Hospitality, & Food, Arts & Entertainment, Childcare & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Transportation & Warehousing.
- Historically excluded businesses: those owned by Black-, Latino(a)-, other people of color-, Women-, LGBQT+, Veterans-, and Persons with a Disability
Applications for the Cook County Small Business Source Grow Grant are open until October 31.
Find out more information at the Cook County website: https://cookcountysmallbiz.org/growgrant/
SBAC Advocacy Update: Health Insurance, Government Contracts & Outdoor Dining
Illinois legislators concluded their regular session. We are excited to report there were some big wins for the small business community! Health Insurance Many small businesses are struggling to afford the cost of health insurance. The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation focused on protecting small businesses from excessive premium increases and enhancing transparency so that…
City Council Expands Outdoor Dining in Chicago!
Chicago’s City Council passed an ordinance that reinstates policies that expand outdoor dining in Chicago. This ordinance will permit restaurants and taverns to serve customers near the curb, on the sidewalks of adjacent buildings, and in parking areas in proper situations. The ordinance also permits street closures to support local restaurants and taverns should various…
Procurement Bidding Reform Passes both the Illinois House and Senate!
Read S.B. 2192 SB 2192 FACT SHEET Increasing Access to Government Contracts for Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Businesses SB 2192 View the Press Release on SB 2192 The SBAC is excited to announce legislation that will increase access to government contracts for small, minority, and women-owned businesses has passed both the Illinois House and Senate!…
