Deadline Extended For Highland Park Business Recovery Grant Program

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Highland Park small business owners who were hoping to receive financial assistance after losing money following the July 4 parade mass shooting still have time to apply for a grant after the city announced on Thursday it is extending the deadline.

Business owners now have through Friday to complete the application for a Business Recovery grant, which was created to help businesses recover costs lost in being forced to being closed in the aftermath of the shooting that killed seven people and injured dozens more.

Businesses were unable to operate between July 4 and July 10 as the downtown district remained the scene of state, local, and federal investigations into the shooting. The city announced the Business Recovery program in late July to assist businesses with recovering money lost while they were forced to be closed.

Highland Park city officials will determine award amounts on a first-come, first-served basis, using analysis of the last three months of sales data to determine total losses and with priority given to restaurants and retailers, the city said in a news release.

Restaurants may qualify for up to 75 percent of estimated revenue losses; retailers and service businesses may qualify for up to 50 percent of estimated revenue losses. To qualify for the program, businesses must demonstrate that they were closed for service from July 4 – 10 as a result of being within the defined investigation area and that they did not provide services through off-site or digital means during that time.

Small businesses may apply for grants by clicking here.

Participating businesses must agree to pay wages to their employees for scheduled work hours from July 4 – July 10 up to the value of the grant, and may not receive recovery funds through insurance, grants, or other means that exceed 25 percent of lost revenue for restaurants, and 50% of lost revenue for retailers and service businesses. Program funds may not be duplicated by other sources, the city said.

“Our businesses play a significant role in supporting and sustaining the fabric of our community. Owners and employees have faced enormous challenges related to the July 4 tragedy and we stand with them as they move forward,” Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said.

“The City Council and staff deeply understand that our businesses are still struggling coming out of the pandemic. We carefully reviewed our budget and made adjustments to help the businesses directly impacted by the shooting. Offsetting a portion of eligible losses through the Business Recovery Grant Program is a tangible way to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to them. ”