As Second Round of Business Interruption Grants Open, Moylan Encourages Business Owners to Apply

DES PLAINES, Ill. – State Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, is encouraging local business owners to take advantage of the second round of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) Business Interruption Grants (BIG) aimed at assisting small business recovery from the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 crisis.

“It is essential to our economy to support small businesses across Illinois, especially while business owners continue to experience severe hardship from the COVID-19 economic fallout,” Moylan said. “We need to do everything in our power to control the virus and mitigate the subsequent economic consequences.”

DCEO recently began accepting applications for its second round of BIG grants totaling $220 million for businesses which experienced a significant loss of income or limited operational capacity during the COVID-19 crisis. Half of the funding for this round of BIG grants is reserved for businesses located downstate and in the rural communities of Illinois. $60 million will go toward heavily impacted industries such as indoor recreation facilities, movie theaters, concert venues and others affected. $70 million will be awarded to businesses in Disproportionately Impacted Areas (DIA). Grants will also be awarded to offset the costs incurred by businesses who received funding through the Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan program. Businesses who do not meet the priority requirements are still eligible to receive funding and are encouraged to apply. For more information on BIG grants, including a map of DIAs, or to apply visit https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Pages/C19DisadvantagedBusGrants.aspx. 

“During my time in the General Assembly I have continuously looked for ways to improve Illinois’s economy, and these grants will provide some much needed help to business owners throughout the state,” Moylan said. “Any business owner who has experienced operational disruption during the pandemic should apply as soon as possible.”

To stay up to date with the state’s response to COVID-19, please visit coronavirus.illinois.gov.

For any questions concerning BIG grants, state issues, legislation or district matters, please contact Moylan’s full-time constituent office at 847-635-6821, or email StateRepMoylan@gmail.com.