Illinois businesses hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic are starting to receive grants from the state.
46-million dollars in Business Interruption Grants -- or BIG -- are being released now.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity assistant director Michael Negron says the individual grants range from 10 to 20-thousand dollars to cover economic losses from the crisis.
"These businesses represent our local barbers, local restaurants, gyms and much, much more. They are part of the fabric of their communities."
Negron says businesses in over 400 communities from Chicago to Carbondale are receiving grants funds. He says half of the businesses are minority-owned. One of the grant recipients is Oasis Wellness in Murphysboro.
Additional rounds of funding will target businesses that still may not open for months, such as performing arts venues, event spaces, indoor recreational facilities and movie theaters.
