SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is encouraging restaurants, hotels and other small businesses across the state to take advantage of two new emergency assistance programs.

“We need our small businesses to persevere, because they are so important to our local economies,” Joyce said. “These loan programs should help them weather this storm.”

To provide assistance to struggling small business owners, Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled the Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund, a $60 million program that will support low-interest loans of up to $50,000 for small businesses outside of Chicago. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees and less than $3 million in revenue in 2019 will be eligible to apply. Loan recipients will owe nothing for six months and will then begin making fixed payments at 3% interest for the remainder of a five-year loan term.

Pritzker also announced the Hospitality Emergency Grant Program. The program offers $14 million in grants to restaurants, bars, hotels and other hospitality businesses to help them make ends meet during the COVID-19 crisis. It will provide up to $25,000 to eligible bars and restaurants and up to $50,000 for eligible hotels.

Read more: Senator Joyce invites small business owners to apply for new loan, grant programs

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pritzker announced the Illinois Department of Revenue is delaying the tax filing deadline until July 15, as the federal government already announced. IDOR is still processing returns, so if you expect to receive money back, you may want to file before then. For more information click here

PARK FOREST -  To assist local businesses impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19,  State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is reminding residents of state and federal programs that may help business owners facing hardship.

“Small local businesses are the heart and soul of our communities. We must support them during these trying times,” Joyce said. “There are a variety of disaster assistance programs available to help give our local businesses the support they desperately need.”

Joyce encourages business owners to apply for up to $2 million in low-interest disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Interested applicants can apply directly at sba.gov/disaster.

The Illinois Department of Revenue will also defer sales tax payments for more than 24,000 small- and medium-sized bars and restaurants in Illinois. Find more information and check whether your business qualifies here.

“We need to come together at every level of government to support local businesses and communities, “Joyce said. “This pandemic is affecting everyone, and we’ll come out of it more strongly if we all work together.”

Those without access to paid sick leave or who are unable to work because of COVID-19 can call the Illinois Department of Employment Security at 1-800-244-5631 to apply for unemployment benefits. More information is available here. The department has hired additional staff and expanded business hours to handle an increased volume of calls. Callers may experience long wait times but are encouraged to stay on the call, even if they hear a busy line signal.

Joyce stated that even if his office is closed, his staff is working remotely to answer questions and address concerns from constituents. He urges residents to reach out by calling (708) 756-0882 or by visiting http://www.senatorpatrickjoyce.com/contact-me.