PARK FOREST— To help businesses navigate the application process for the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program, State Senator Patrick Joyce is urging business owners across the south suburbs to attend a free, informative webinar hosted by the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity on Monday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m.

“The BIG program will help our local businesses move one step closer to financial stability,” Joyce said. “I urge business owners to join this informative webinar to ensure they are completing their applications correctly and taking full advantage of available grants.”

Registration is required. Interested participants can click here to register.

Applications for Round 2 of the BIG program were launched last week. The latest round has allocated $220 million in assistance for movie theatres, performing arts venues, concert venues and other hard-hit businesses to help them stay afloat through this time of crisis and ensure they have the resources to open safely in the coming months.

The intention of the second round is to provide relief for all types of small businesses, with a focus on businesses located downstate and heavily distressed industries. Of the total funding, $70 million has been set aside for businesses in economically distressed communities that have been the most vulnerable to COVID-19.

“Small businesses are the back bone of our communities,” Joyce said. “During the pandemic, they have worked tirelessly to serve our communities and keep employees and customers safe. They have gone above and beyond to support us—I urge residents to return the favor and support them, too. Shop local as often as you can and please be patient, because we are all struggling to deal with this pandemic.”

Applications to the BIG program are open and can be found on the Illinois DCEO website. Joyce urges business owners who are unable to attend the Sept. 28 webinar to visit DECO’s website to sign up for another webinar or view a prerecorded version.

PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce wants to make sure residents are aware that expiration dates for Illinois driver’s licenses and IDs have been extended until Feb. 1, 2021. All expired driver’s licenses and IDs will remain valid until then.

“I want to thank Secretary Jesse White for his commitment to putting the health and safety of Illinoisans first,” Joyce said. “This extension will provide relief to many and help reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

The secretary of state’s office has repeatedly pushed back the deadline to renew expiring licenses since the pandemic began. The newly extended deadline will also cover driver’s licenses and ID cards set to expire in October, November, December and January.

Older adults age 75 and over have also had their driver’s license expiration dates extended by one year. The new expiration date is the motorist’s birthday in 2021.

“Extending expiration dates until February 1 means people with an expired driver’s license and ID card do not need to visit a Driver Services facility immediately,” said Secretary of State Jesse White. “During this pandemic, we continue to think creatively to serve the public as efficiently as possible, while making public health and safety our top priority.”

However, expiring license plate stickers will not be valid past the current Nov. 1 deadline, as they can easily be renewed online at www.cyberdriveillinois.com. Other common services, such as requesting a replacement or duplicate driver’s license or ID, are also available on the website.

“A lot of services can be completed online,” Joyce said. “This move will help reduce lines and cut down on overcrowding at our local offices for folks who have no choice but to go in.”

Illinois residents who must visit a driver services facility should be aware that they will be required to wear masks. They may also have to wait outside for an extended period of time to maintain social distancing and should take the weather into account when planning a visit.

For more information, visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce is excited to announce that schools in the 40^th Illinois State Senate District are set to receive nearly $2 million in funding to improve local students’ access to technology during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“E-learning is a new reality for many students during the pandemic,” Joyce said. “This funding will assist schools in giving students the resources they need to take an active role in their studies.”

The funds will be distributed to 14 schools in the 40^th State Senate District:

• Bloom Township School District 206 – $195,442
• Bourbonnais School District 53 – $164,063
• Bradley- Bourbonnais Community High School District 307­ – $143,067
• Bradley School District 61 – $103,252
• Chicago Heights School District 170 – $192,866
• Gardner School District 72C – $38,845
• Gardner-South Wilmington Township High School District 73 – $40,390
• Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233 – $190,530
• Iroquois/Kankakee ROE School District – $37,324
• Kankakee School District 111 – $293,195
• Manhattan School District 114 – $118,740
• Park Forest - Chicago Heights School District 163 –$123,021
• Safe Schools - Iroquois/Kankakee ROE School District – $30,594
• Anne Community High School District 256 – $46,676

The Digital Equity Formula Grants, funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, are intended to help schools expand connectivity and provide students with devices like computers or tablets. Funding was distributed using a need-based formula.

“We must continue to work together to ensure every child, regardless of their zip code, receives the support they need to be successful,” Joyce said.

For more information about COVID-19 and education, visit isbe.net/covid19.