BIG Grants for Illinois Small Business and Updates
Hello Friends,
We hope this email finds you well.
Illinois BIG Grants
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity of the Illinois Governor’s office has recently announced the Business Interruption Grant (BIG). This is a $220 million dollar program developed to help those small businesses hardest hit by COVID-19. Applications for the funding will be live on September 17th. To view the application process and read more about the grant visit their website that has important information and FAQ’s on the application process. Planning ahead is key here and having all your documents ready for when the application goes live on Thursday, Sept 17th.
View all the details here and get your preparation in for the application
Heroes Act
We will be having a call with Senator Durbin's office this week and will report back with updates pertaining to the national Heroes Act currently being discussed in the Senate.
Live Events Coalition
We continue to work with our friends at the Live Events Coalition. Thank you for all that have participated in the activations and social media campaigns. Some notes on what the Live Events Coalition has been working on. Read more about the Live Events Coalition here.
Together with a creative advocacy firm they have established key legislative priorities and messaging; made Congress aware of the live events industry and its people; and convinced our elected officials and staff that we are an essential part of the U.S. economy and workforce.
Launched advocacy campaigns featuring the #WishIWasThere hashtag and "What We Miss" carousel posts that have been shared and participated in by thousands of live events professionals.
United 19 state coalitions in working together to get the country's attention and support our crucial legislative priorities.
Created a movement around empty events, case pushes, and other local activations that have garnered both local and national media coverage, and supported the Red Alert activations across the country.
Letters to Elected Officials
Please sign the elected official letter and add a personal message on the form that you are a small business owner and/or live events professional and you are specifically asking your federal elected officials to have a louder voice on behalf of the live events industry. We have tried to pivot and yet still don’t know how we can survive without an immediate aid package.
Thank youl Stay safe, stay well and please continue to follow the Illinois event guidelines!
Ali Phillips, Michelle Durpetti and Collin Pierson