JOLIET – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) announced more encouraging news for local businesses recovering from the pandemic who have received grants in the latest round of Back to Business funding.

“The Back to Business program has already helped dozens of local businesses in our area,” Loughran Cappel said. “The people in our community rely on so many of these businesses every day, and I’m glad to see them recovering and thriving after the economic hit of the pandemic.”

The B2B program is providing millions of dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. The grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

So far – thanks to strong support from Senator Loughran Cappel – DCEO has provided $200 million in B2B grants to small businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on disproportionately impacted areas.

The most recent recipients of these grants are businesses in Will and Kendall Counties who received more than $1 million in relief in this round of funding. With nearly $50 million left to go, more businesses will have the opportunity to get a share of the relief funds.

Grants will continue to be awarded on a rolling basis. Visit the DCEO website for more information on the B2B program or check the status of an existing application by logging into the portal.