Mason Calls for Additional Small Business Assistance

GURNEE, Ill. – Small businesses would be guaranteed a quarter of all federal coronavirus relief dollars received by the state under legislation backed by state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee.

“After seeing large, greedy corporations take advantage of the federally administered Paycheck Protection Program last year, it’s important that we take proactive steps at the state level to ensure small businesses get as much assistance as possible from this newest round of emergency funding,” Mason said. “Small businesses make up a critical part of our local economies, offer well-paying jobs and give our communities character. They deserve to be given their fair share of this funding.”

Mason is sponsoring House Bill 1860, legislation that would require at least 25% of all COVID-19 relief dollars that the state receives from the federal government to be issued to businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Under House Bill 1860, funds would be disbursed to small businesses through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in grants of $5,000 each. To be eligible for assistance, businesses would have to demonstrate a reduction in revenue during 2020.

“This measure would put locally-owned businesses at the front of the line for this next wave of emergency assistance, and in doing so, would protect countless jobs and speed up our economic recovery,” Mason said. “I’m proud to stand with small businesses and to support this important legislation.”