Joyce: Shop locally to help businesses, economy recover from pandemic
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PARK FOREST – With the holidays inching closer and businesses still struggling to stay afloat amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is urging residents to shop locally throughout the holiday season this year.
“Local businesses are the heart of our community, and the COVID-19 pandemic has put a major strain on them,” Joyce said. “As we continue the fight against COVID-19, we cannot leave these businesses behind. I encourage residents to support our small business community however they can to help them weather this storm.”
As people begin their holiday shopping, Joyce is reminding residents that supporting small doesn’t just mean shopping at brick-and-mortar stores. Residents can support small businesses through online sales, ordering carryout from a locally owned restaurant or buying a gift card for a friend.
Additionally, if money is tight due to the financial concerns relating to the pandemic, people can still support local businesses by following their social media, recommending them to friends and leaving positive reviews.
Read more: Joyce: Shop locally to help businesses, economy recover from pandemic
Joyce announces additional $490,000 in aid to local businesses
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PARK FOREST – Businesses and organizations in Kankakee, Cook and Will Counties are among the 1,200 recipients of more than $46 million in Business Interruption Grants (BIG) prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced Friday.
“COVID-19 has been especially hard on our small business community these past few months,” Joyce said. “I’m pleased to learn businesses in our community have taken advantage of this program, and with funds still available, I encourage all eligible businesses to apply for grants.”
Twenty businesses in the district Joyce represents received a combined $490,000. Each business received between $5,000 and $150,000 to be used to help cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded the grants this week, as part of the second round of the BIG program. However, applications will remain open until all of the funding is spent.
Read more: Joyce announces additional $490,000 in aid to local businesses
Joyce urges residents to enjoy Halloween safely
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PARK FOREST – This Halloween, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is reminding drivers to keep themselves, other motorists and trick-or-treaters safe by never driving under the influence.
“Halloween may look a bit different due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Joyce said. “I want to encourage folks to celebrate safely by following health guidelines and making plans for a sober ride home if you plan to drink.”
Illinois motor vehicle crash death rates are higher this year than last year. As of Oct. 23, 864 Illinoisans have lost their lives in vehicle accidents so far in 2020, according to information from the Illinois Department of Transportation. In an effort to keep motorists and pedestrians safe, law enforcement has increased its efforts to keep impaired drivers off the road.
“We need to make a commitment as a community to celebrate safely,” Joyce said. “Make a conscious decision to buckle up and plan ahead for a sober ride home to keep our streets free of drunk drivers.”
Joyce also wants to remind those celebrating to practice appropriate social distancing, keep gatherings to a minimum and never substitute a Halloween mask for a face covering intended to stop the spread of COVID-19. For more guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health, visit dph.illinois.gov/covid19.
Joyce announces grant money for broadband expansion
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PEMBROKE TOWNSHIP – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is encouraging local businesses and nonprofits to apply for Connect Illinois grants to help expand broadband to underserved communities.
“Businesses and schools continue to rely heavily on internet access to coordinate virtual learning and conduct business, yet so many communities lack access to a high-speed internet connection,” Joyce said. “These grants will help us expand broadband access more quickly, efficiently and effectively across our rural communities.”
Connect Illinois is the state’s $420 million plan to provide necessary internet access to every Illinois community by 2024. In the first round of grants, funding was awarded to 28 projects across Illinois, which are expected to expand internet access to more than 26,000 homes, businesses, farms and community institutions across the state.
Eligible applicants for the second round include internet service providers, rural cooperatives, nonprofits and local governments. Awardees may receive up to $5 million per project in matching funds. All Connect Illinois projects must meet the minority business participation requirements of the State of Illinois' Business Enterprise Program.
The application for this round of grants will remain open through February 2021. More information on this grant program can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.
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