Another Round of Illinois Business Interruption Grants Program (BIG) is Now Open for Applications

On the afternoon of September 17th, Illinois’ Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity Department has opened applications for the 2nd round of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program. While the initial round earlier in the year provided for $49 million in business grants awarded, this second round greatly expands the program with $220 million to be made available for business grants.

This 2nd round of funding is available to all businesses in Illinois, however, there are certain qualifications that allow certain businesses to receive a priority status to receive funding. These priority statuses are identified as follows:

• Heavily Impacted Industries – this category includes heavily distressed industries, such as movie theatres, performing arts venues, concert venues, indoor recreation, amusement parks, and more.
• Disproportionately Impacted Areas – Eligible companies are based on location, defined by zip codes identified by the General Assembly for communities that are most economically distressed and vulnerable to COVID-19.
• Downstate Communities – DCEO has committed to ensuring that at least half of all remaining funds, are reserved for businesses in downstate and rural communities of Illinois.
• Priority Businesses – Applications from the following types of businesses will be prioritized for review for remaining funds: businesses directly affected by regional mitigations implemented by the state or local governments, independently owned retail, tourism- and hospitality-related industries including accommodations, and more.
• Agriculture - $5 million of the remainder of funds will be set aside for livestock production disruptions.

Porte Brown clients should know that the Disproportionally Impacted Areas include a significant amount of areas in the Cook, DuPage, Lake, McHenry, and Kane counties, among others.

Eligible expenses for grant coverage include costs such as inventory, equipment, personal protective equipment, compensation, rent, technology, professional services, and other costs. Specific costs that qualify for Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness would not also be eligible for this program as well, but any expenses beyond those covered by the PPP loan forgiveness are eligible.

More information on this program is available at the follow DCEO website.