Hoffman Highlights Assistance for Businesses and Workers Impacted by COVID-19

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – To help ease the burden on bars, restaurants and other establishments closing due to the COVID-19 outbreak, state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is sharing important information on assistance available to small business owners and employees facing hardship.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, so when they hurt due to loss of business we all hurt,” said Hoffman. “As bars and restaurants close for the next couple weeks, it will be extremely important to shop small and support local businesses when they begin to reopen.”

Hoffman is highlighting the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The SBA is working directly with Gov. JB Pritzker to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and nonprofits that have been severely impacted by COVID-19. For more information, small business owners should visit the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov.

Additionally, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) recently announced they are taking steps to help workers out-of-work due to Coronavirus. Employees that have a disruption in employment due to COVID-19 can visit www2.illinois.gov to see if they qualify for unemployment benefits.

“Throughout my time as state Representative and as former Chairman of the House Labor and Commerce Committee, I have continually worked to support both small business owners and workers in our community and across the state,” continued Hoffman. “Small businesses and employees need our support now more than ever during these trying times.”

For more information or additional resources, reach out to Hoffman’s constituent service office at RepJayHoffman@gmail.com or (618) 416-7407