Governor Pritzker announced a second round of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program.  BIG provides economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19.  This funding may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses: payroll costs, rent, utilities, and operational costs.

Funding for this round is approximately $200 million.  Of this funding, $70 million will be invested in Disproportionately Impacted Areas (DIAs) and $60 million in heavily impacted industries.  The heavily impacted industries are defined as having annual revenues of $10 million or less and have been closed or operating at a very diminished capacity since mid-March and are likely to continue to do so until Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan.   These industries include the following:

• Event spaces
• Music venues
• Performing arts venues
• Indoor recreation
• Amusement parks
• Movie theaters
• Museums
• Charter/shuttle buses

Applications will be accepted starting September 17.  Program information can be found at BIG