Joyce commends area businesses receiving recovery grants

• Small businesses
• BIG Grant

PARK FOREST – A total of 26 local businesses have been awarded a combined $480,000 in grants through the Business Interruption Grants (BIG) program, prompting State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) to extend his congratulations to the recipients.

“Small businesses give so much to our community, but right now they are struggling to stay afloat,” Joyce said. “BIG grants can help these establishments move one step closer to financial recovery.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded a total of $46 million to 2,655 small businesses in the first round of BIG funding. The BIG program offers grants to Illinois restaurants and bars, barbershops and salons, and fitness centers that have suffered pandemic-related losses, with a focus on businesses in the hardest-hit areas of the state.

First round grants range from $10,000 to $20,000 and may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs, rent and utilities. The funds may also be used to cover pandemic-related expenses, such as personal protective equipment, training and new technology.

“I am committed to supporting relief efforts so businesses affected by this crisis can come out on top,” Joyce said. “I encourage any area business searching for financial relief to apply for future rounds of Business Interruption Grants.”

To ensure ongoing support for Illinois small businesses, the State of Illinois has planned future rounds of funding. The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the COVID-19 economic downturn. The full list of grant recipients is available here.

Joyce urges residents without power to take advantage of cooling centers, food assistance

• Cooling Centers
• Food Assistance

PARK FOREST – Following a destructive storm that blew through northern Illinois Monday night, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is urging storm victims without power to visit local cooling centers and seek food assistance if needed.

“Crews have been working nonstop to restore power to the areas hit hardest by Monday’s storm,” Joyce said. “If you lost power and are in need of a place to cool off, please take advantage of a public local cooling center.”

The following locations are available as cooling centers:

• Bourbonnais Public Library: 250 W. John Casey Rd., Bourbonnais
• Bradley Public Library: 296 N. Fulton Ave., Bradley
• Bradley Village Building: 147 S. Michigan Avenue, Bradley
• Department Of Human Services: 285 N. Schuyler Ave., Kankakee
• Frankfort Village Hall: 432 W. Nebraska Street, Frankfort
• Kankakee County Building: 189 E. Court St., Kankakee
• Kankakee Public Library: 201 E. Merchant St., Kankakee
• Northfield Square Mall: 1600 N. State Rt. 50., Bourbonnais
• Pembroke Township Senior Center: 40119 S. Wheeler Rd., Pembroke
• The Salvation Army: 148 N Harrison Ave, Kankakee
• United Way Kankakee County: 200 E. Court St #500, Kankakee
• Village Hall/Church of the Cross: 13043 E. 2260S. Rd., Pembroke
• Village Hall: 105 W. Washington St., Momence

All cooling centers will operate in compliance with the state’s public health guidelines.

Joyce is also encouraging families and individuals in need of food assistance to visit a distribution site near them.

“Without electricity, people are unable to keep their food cold and are often forced to throw out their perishables,” Joyce said. “Households that are still without power should visit their local food pantry for a fresh, nutritious meal.”

These area organizations are offering food assistance:

• Bloom Township: 425 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights
• Center of Hope: 395 N. Schuyler Ave., Kankakee
• First Baptist Church of Park Forest: 80 N. Orchard Dr., Park Forest
• Kankakee County Community Service: 657 E. Court St., Kankakee
• Salvation Army Kankakee: 148 N. Harrison Ave., Kankakee
• St. Irenaeus Catholic Church: 78 Cherry St., Park Forest

Anyone that needs additional assistance can contact Joyce’s office at 708-756-0882 or visit SenatorPatrickJoyce.com.

Joyce: Area libraries secure over $37,000 in mentoring grants

• Kankakee Public Library
• PNG Grant
• SOS
• Bradley Public Library

KANKAKEE – Two area libraries will receive a combined $37,000 in grants to administer mentorship programs for at-risk youth, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced Tuesday.

“Now more than ever, young people need support from our community,” Joyce said. “I’m pleased to see the state invest in our future leaders so they can get the help they need during these unprecedented circumstances.”

The Bradley Public Library District will receive $20,670 and the Kankakee Public Library will receive $17,000 in Project Next Generation (PNG) grants. PNG is a mentoring program established by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to help middle and high school students develop technological skills, achieve success through project-based learning, and gain life skills such as effective communication, goal-setting and conflict resolution.

The secretary of state awarded $559,358 in 2021 PNG grants to 28 public libraries statewide. Grants are awarded to libraries that serve culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations.

Funds were provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Joyce highlights new grant available to support dairy entrepreneurship

• Grant
• DBIA
• Agriculture

PARK FOREST – In an effort to provide financial and technical support to the dairy industry in Illinois, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is urging dairy farmers and businesses apply for grants through the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA).

“Every dairy farmer should look at this grant opportunity,” Joyce, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee said. “These grants are designed to help dairy producers and processors expand, while promoting more entrepreneurial efforts.”

DBIA, a joint effort coordinated by the Center for Dairy Research and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, was designed to support and promote the diversification and addition of value-added products to the Midwest dairy industry.

Goals of the program include increasing on-farm diversification, creating value-added dairy products like specialty cheeses, and expanding export opportunities for farm-scale and processor dairy products.

The grant application period is now open. A total of $220,000 in funds is available, with individual projects eligible for up to $20,000 each. The deadline to complete and return applications is Aug. 14. Selected producers and business owners will be notified Sept. 4.

For questions or additional information, call DBIA at 608-265-1491 or visit https://turbo.cdr.wisc.edu/dairy-business-innovation-alliance/.