13 Skokie Business Awarded First Round Of State Grants

SKOKIE, IL — More than a dozen businesses in Skokie 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 13 Skokie businesses received the first round grants from the program, according to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Alexander's Breakfast and Lunch — $20,000
Blaze Pizza — $20,000
Sushi Cafe Hanah — $20,000
De Jred Jamaican Cuisine — $10,000
Subway — $10,000
Pressed — $20,000
Libertad — $20,000
The Curragh Irish Pub — $20,000
Teddy Rose Salon and Day Spa — $10,000
Red Mango Frozen Yogurt — $20,000
EJ's Pizzeria — $20,000
Zhivago Restaurant — $20,000
Supercuts — $10,000

“While the first round of BIG will provide a much-needed boost for thousands of businesses around the state, we know there is much more we must do," said Michael Negron, acting director of the state commerce department. "Through a number of programs launched in recent weeks, and with another round of BIG on the horizon, we will continue to respond to the needs facing our business community and work to provide assistance where it’s needed most.”

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.