New Back 2 Business Grants

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) recently announced the Illinois B2B NewBiz grant program that became available on November 30. This new program extends financial relief to businesses that started during the COVID-19 pandemic in industries that were most impacted by it. Grants are for businesses that have not been eligible for state grants and most of the federal emergency support thus far. 

Business owners can learn more and apply for the Illinois B2B NewBiz grant on the grant portal, at https://b2bnewbiz.com, until January 11, 2024. To be eligible for a grant award of up to $30,000, for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations must meet all of the following criteria: 

• Started operations between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. 
• Had gross receipts of at least $25,000 and up to $20,000,000 in 2021 (annualized if started during 2021). 
• Currently has active operations in Illinois. 
• Have not received a Back to Business (B2B) grant prior to 2023. 

• Including Business Interruption Grant, Back to Business Grant issued prior to 2023, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, or Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grant. 

• Must meet one of the following two criteria: 
  • The business or nonprofit is in a priority industry as defined for the previous Back to Business grant program (a list of priority industries and their definitions can be found here). 
  • The business is majority owned by an individual or individuals who became eligible for and received unemployment insurance benefits - including from Pandemic Unemployment Assistance - between March 13, 2020, and the date the business began operations. 

New Form to Report Public Corruption

Have you witnessed public officials behaving dishonestly? If so, you can now report suspected corruption directly to the Illinois State Police (ISP) with a new form.

The form was created by ISP's Special Investigations Unit, which is tasked with focusing on public corruption and conducting investigations into allegations of criminal misconduct committed by elected officials and appointees at the state, county, and local levels.

According to the agency, part of the aim of the form is to give people one place to report suspected wrongdoing, and to clear up confusion about what agency or entity to report allegations to. ISP will triage form submissions and determine the proper agency to investigate.

The online form, which is for suspected public corruption only, is available at: https://isp.illinois.gov/CriminalInvestigations/SIUComplaintDisclaimerForm

Drought Conditions Returning to Illinois?

As Illinois farmers have now wrapped up nearly all of their harvest season, eyes are turning toward next year. Much of 2023 was dominated by early drought conditions across most of the state, along with fears over what it would mean for the state's top industry.

According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service, soil in the Land of Lincoln is getting dry once again. Their data shows that just 53 percent of topsoil is rated as having adequate or surplus topsoil moisture. This comes in significantly lower than data from the same point in 2022, when 72 percent of topsoil was considered adequate or surplus.

The U.S. Drought Monitor, a joint effort of the USDA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska, maps drought conditions throughout the country. Their current map shows a slight majority of the state in "Abnormally Dry" to "Severe Drought" conditions.

If dry conditions continue, it could be rough not only for the state's farmers, but also for gardeners and anyone who takes pride in a thick, lush yard.

Looking ahead, the NOAA's seasonal outlook shows winter temperatures in Illinois leaning warmer than normal, but the agency's precipitation model indicates normal precipitation levels for the majority of the state. However, that same model also shows the potential for drier than normal conditions in the Northeastern part of Illinois.

How much do we owe?

As of the time of this writing, the State of Illinois owes $1,230,775,842.45 to  state vendors, including 16,827 pending vouchers. This figure represents the amount of bills submitted to the office of the Comptroller and still awaiting payment. It does not include debts that can only be estimated, such as our unfunded pension liability which is subject to a wide range of factors and has been estimated to be more than $139 billion. At the same time last year, the state's accounts payable stood at a little less than $2 billion.

Did You Know?

As fall slowly turns to winter, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is warning that case numbers for COVID, flu, and RSV are rising. The agency is reminding Illinoisans that effective vaccines are available for COVID, flu and RSV.

IDPH is also offering a few tips to prevent the spread of illness as families gather for the holidays. They recommend that hosts consider areas or rooms that offer good ventilation for guests, encourage good hygiene and hand washing, and to remind guests to cover coughs and sneezes.

For more information on protecting yourself from respiratory illnesses, click here.

This Week in the 53^rd District

State Senator Tom Bennett - Working full-time to represent you