Several District 18 Businesses Receive Back To Business Grant

ORLAND PARK, IL — Seven communities in the 18th District have received more than $200,000 in "Back to Business" grants, according to a news release from Illinois Senator Bill Cunningham. The senator congratulated the recipients and encouraged more local entrepreneurs to apply.

"I talked to many small business owners who struggled – and in some cases are still struggling – during the ongoing pandemic," said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. "We created the Back to Business Program to help people like them keep their doors open and build back even stronger. It’s not too late to apply!"

The businesses in the 18th Legislative District that have successfully received grants illustrate the diversity of the area’s economy and how many enterprises are eligible for the B2B program, the release states. They include restaurants, a salon, transportation companies and an art business. An entire list of recipients can be seen here.

The B2B program is distributing $250 million in grants to businesses that brought in $20 million or less in 2019 and that sustained a documented revenue reduction in 2020, according to the release. Grants range between $5,000 and $150,000 for all industries except hotels, which have higher allowable revenue and grants.

Priority is given to businesses in hard-hit industries, in hard-hit areas, and with revenues less than $5 million, as well as businesses that have not yet received any government assistance, the release states.

Interested business owners and managers can learn more and apply on the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website. The final deadline to apply is Oct. 13.