WAUKEGAN – To recognize the efforts of small businesses, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is highlighting recipients of Back to Business grants and encouraging residents to shop local as the holiday season approaches.
“To receive financial assistance from the state, 22 locally-owned businesses were able to demonstrate loss from the pandemic,” Johnson said. “By offering support to small businesses, Illinois is working to strengthen our local economies.”
Awarded a combined $990,000, B2B grant recipients in the 30th Senate District include:
- B & B Promotions in Wheeling;
- Banyan Two in Lincolnshire;
- Chang’s Taekwondo in Wheeling;
- Elly’s Pancake House in Mundelein;
- Excel Photo Service in Wheeling;
- Lakehurst Events in Waukegan;
- Super 8 Motel in Mundelein;
- PC Custom Woodwork in Waukegan;
- C. Miller Events in Wheeling;
- Raima Rimkus in Wheeling;
- Dunkin’ Donuts in Vernon Hills;
- VNB in Buffalo Grove;
- Dunkin’ Donuts in Wheeling;
- Young’s Tips to Toes in Wheeling;
- The Taproom in Waukegan;
- AL-MAI in Waukegan;
- Green Town Tavern in Waukegan;
- Hank’s Cleaners in Waukegan;
- Independence Fishing Charters in Waukegan;
- Juan’s Chuck Wagon in Waukegan;
- Kenneth Cobbs Protography in North Chicago; and
- Tony Johnson in Waukegan.
The B2B program allocated $250 million in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses hurt financially by the pandemic. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000 and could be used to cover a wide range of operations, such as staff and overhead costs.
“Shopping, eating and thinking local will make a huge difference in our communities this holiday season,” Johnson said. “Visiting storefronts, purchasing gift cards, recommending a service to a friend or simply interacting on social media can offer support to our small business community.”
A full list of B2B grant awardees can be found on DCEO’s website.
