Hurley Highlights Small Business Saturday, Encourages Residents to Shop Locally

CHICAGO – As the holiday season approaches, state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, is highlighting Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28 to encourage residents to support local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This has been a very difficult year for many Illinoisans, especially for the small business and restaurant owners in our communities,” said Hurley. “The holiday season is often when many small retailers earn the majority of their yearly revenue, so it is more important than ever to shop locally whenever possible.”

Hurley is highlighting Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28, which was created to help small businesses compete with large retailers between the busy shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Hurley is encouraging residents to safely shop locally at small businesses this holiday season. Residents should continue to stay home as much as possible, and should explore supporting local businesses through online shopping when available. Shoppers going to retailers should continue to follow guidelines including wearing a face covering, frequently washing hands and practicing physical distancing.

To encourage support for restaurants during this time, Hurley is also highlighting the 19th Ward’s initiative Take-Out Tuesdays, which continues until Dec. 15. To participate, residents should order from a local restaurant, post a photo on social media using the hashtag #TakeOutTuesday, and tag Ald. Matt O’Shea and the restaurant. Residents who participate will be entered to win a free $20 “Bucks Stay Here” gift card.

To provide additional support to businesses throughout the community, Hurley is encouraging residents to support the 19th Ward Small Business Super Raffle. Tickets are $10 each and will be sold until Dec. 18. For additional information, to buy tickets and for a full list of businesses that will benefit from raffle proceeds, visit www.the19thward.com.

“Throughout the last few months we have seen the power our community has when we come together,” continued Hurley. “Especially during the holiday season it is important that we continue to shop small whenever possible and order take out from local restaurants to support small business owners that are struggling during this time.”

For the latest information and resources, visit coronavirus.illinois.gov. For more information, contact Hurley’s constituent service office at 773-445-8128 or RepFranHurley@gmail.com.