The Back to Business (B2B) grant program is a key component of Governor JB Pritzker’s $1.5 billion economic package designed to maximize the impact of American Rescue Plan Act funds provided to Illinois. It sets forth $250 million for businesses that have experienced losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic to support them in their recovery.
Governor JB Pritzker announced $40 million in payments are being made to 74 local governments, representing the first wave of more than $742 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) aid to 1,250 small cities, towns and villages across Illinois. These federal relief dollars can be used to cover expenses incurred while responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the first payments now made, the administration is urging local governments who have not yet done so to take steps to apply for funding before the deadline of September 30, 2021. In accordance with federal guidelines, non entitlement units (NEUs) that do not take steps to apply for these funds in time will not be able to claim these dollars for their communities later on.
Eligible local governments can claim their allotments and receive technical assistance at Illinois NEU Allocations from ARPA, a web portal created by the State of Illinois. Municipalities can visit the technical assistance page for more information.
