The Business Interruption grants have been a life-saver for thousands of businesses across Illinois during COVID-19. | Stock Photo
The Business Interruption grants have been a life-saver for thousands of businesses across Illinois during COVID-19. | Stock Photo
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity said it plans to wind down the Business Interruption Grant after completing another round of awards to small businesses statewide, totaling $250 million.
The financial assistance came from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in partnership with local chambers, leaders and business owners to 15 counties across the state that have been decimated by COVID-19.
Approximately 9,000 businesses statewide received a portion of the $250 million, earning an average of $25,000 per company. Some businesses even earned as much as $150,000 while the low was $5.
"This virus doesn't have a sense of borders, a sense of towns, a sense of cities. It's really impacting everyone, their families, their livelihoods, and we wanted to make sure that we thought about all Illinoisans and how it's impacting their lives on a day to day," Erin Guthrie, acting director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), said, WSILTV.com reported.
Guthrie said she understands the money won't last forever. That said, it can still have a positive impact on people struggling.
According to DCEO statistics, approximately 40% of grants went to minority-owned businesses, with women owning 37% of said businesses in Illinois. One such recipient is Miz BJ's Hair Haven in Marion, owned by Barbara Timmons, who received $5,000.
While times are tough, Timmons is determined to fight to save her business.
"I had a dream about this business for many, many years," Timmons said, WSILTV.com reported. "I put a lot of time into it, and I put a lot of money into it, and I'm going to fight this out. I am going to stick this out."
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