Illinois announces Back to Business grants for creative arts, hotels & restaurants

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the continuation of the Back 2 Business program with three new grant opportunities designed to help provide businesses in the hardest-hit industries with some financial support. A total of $175 million dollars in grant money will be available to Illinois businesses who qualify and apply for the following grants. 

• Illinois Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program (B2B Hotels) - $75 million available
• Illinois Creative Recovery Grant Program (B2B Arts) - $50 million available
• Illinois Restaurant Employment and Stabilization Grant Program (B2B Restaurants) - $50 million available

Applications are open from April 5 – May 10, 2023.

Mercado on 5th received financial support through DCEO to hire two Community Navigators to help small business owners in Illinois apply for the newly announced B2B grants. Community Navigators know how to enter grant applications into the portal, are aware of the grant application requirements and will assist business owners who might qualify with technical assistance for one or more of recently announced grants.

Contact:

• Greg Aguilar [email protected] 
• Yolanda Diaz [email protected]

In addition, DCEO is offering webinars at 10 a.m. March 24, 10 a.m. March 30 and 2 p.m. April 6.

Click here for the details on the B2B Grants for Creative Arts, Hotels and Restaurants, including webinar information and the grant application portal.