Nine Lake Forest, Lake Bluff Business Receive Grants From State

LAKE FOREST-LAKE BLUFF, IL — Nearly two dozen Highland Park and Highwood businesses received emergency funding through the state's Business Interruption Grant program, which was designed to support small businesses and communities disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The program awarded $46 million to 2,655 Illinois businesses that were impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. According to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, more than 50 percent of the recipients are minority-owned businesses.

"The federal PPP program seems to have overlooked too many entrepreneurs and small shops and it was important to me and to the General Assembly to ensure that small businesses — which employ the largest number of people in Illinois — get the help that they need," Pritzker told reporters Wednesday.

Grants were awarded in amounts of either $10,000 or $20,000, earmarked to help with working capital expenses, including payroll costs, rent and utilities. The funds may also be used to cover pandemic-related expenses, such as personal protective equipment, training and new technology.

The following six businesses in Lake Forest received grants:

• The Gallery, $20,000
• Orangetheory Fitness Lake Forest, $20,000
• Pedestrian Coffee, $20,000
• Taste of the Middle East, $20,000
• Taylor Reese of Lake Forest, $10,000
• Wellness Solutions, $20,000

And the following three Lake Bluff businesses also received grants:

• CrossFit Lake Forest, $20,000
• Dragon K Martial Arts Lake Bluff, $20,000
• Forest Greens Juice Bar, $10,000

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will release additional BIG grants for small businesses in multiple waves. Future rounds will give consideration to additional business sectors facing COVID-19 related closures or diminished operating capacity. An additional $270 million of the program is set aside for childcare providers.

At a news conference Wednesday, Pritzker said his administration recognized the need for helping businesses understand the various kinds of assistance available to them. With that in mind, the DCEO partnered with "community navigators" such as the Chicago Urban League and the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition to get information out to businesses across the state, he said.

Small businesses operators interested in applying for the next round of BIG grant money can find information on the DCEO website.