22 McHenry County Small Businesses Receive Emergency Grants

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL – Nearly two dozen local small businesses were among the more than 2,600 Illinois businesses that were the recipients of $46 million in emergency financial assistance that was handed out to help business owners deal with hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday announced the awarding of the grants that were awarded in either $10,000 or $20,000 increments as part of the Business Interruption Grant program. The initiative was introduced to assist small businesses that have been significantly impacted by the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.

Pritzker said in a news conference that 50 percent of the recipients were minority owners of small businesses, many of which have missed out on previous emergency funding at the federal level. In McHenry County, 14 of the 22 recipients received the $20,000 grant.

In all, officials have announced they plan to award $540 million in grants, half of which is designated for childcare providers. The first round of funding, state officials said Wednesday, may be used by small businesses to cover capital expenses including payroll, rent, utilities as well as other costs to help cover unexpected expenses brought on by the pandemic.

“Just like the virus attacks our most vulnerable people, it also hits our most vulnerable parts of our economy," Pritzker said Wednesday. "It’s our small businesses, our working families, our communities of color that have paid the highest price.

“Fighting the virus’s effects on the health and safety has been a top priority for me from the very beginning and battling the economic effects of COVID are just as important."

The following McHenry businesses received grants, according to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity database:

• Donna Lowe Salon, Inc. Algonquin $20,000
• DRS Foods, Jersey Mike’s, McHenry, $10,000
• Elegant Looks, Inc, Crystal Lake $10,000
• Lily Nails, Huntley, $10,000
• The Way We Like It Café, McHenry, $10,000
• Huntley’s Tacos Locos, Huntley $10,000
• Rustic Roots Salon, Woodstock, $10,000
• T Nails 1 Spa, Crystal Lake, $10,000
• Unique Nails of Algonguin, $10,000
• China Bar and Restaurant, McHenry, $20,000
• BNL Huntley, $20,000
• Daily Projects Coffee Bar, Algonguin, $20,000
• Ethereal Confections, Woodstock, $20,000
• Iron Horse Bar and Grill, Algonquin, $20,000
• Porkie’s Pig Roast, Woodstock, $20,000
• Dunkin Donuts, McHenry, $20,000
• Wings, Etc., Grill and Pub, McHenry, $20,000
• Salerno’s Pizzeria, McHenry, $20,000
• Star Coffee, Crystal Lake, $20,000
• Taqueria Las Cumbres, Crystal Lake, $20,000
• Tiger Koo’s Martial Arts, Algonquin, $20,000
• Hidden Pearl Coffee, McHenry, $20,000