Carbondale Reporter

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has introduced a new grant program called the Illinois B2B NewBiz grant to provide financial relief to businesses that started during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants are specifically targeted towards industries that were most affected by the pandemic and have not been eligible for previous state and federal support.

According to the DCEO, the grants are available for businesses and non-profit organizations that meet certain criteria. These include starting operations between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, having gross receipts of at least $25,000 and up to $20,000,000 in 2021, currently operating in Illinois, and not having received a Back to Business (B2B) grant prior to 2023. Additionally, businesses must either be in a priority industry as defined in the previous Back to Business grant program or be majority-owned by individuals who received unemployment insurance benefits during the pandemic.

Business owners interested in applying for the Illinois B2B NewBiz grant can do so on the grant portal at https://b2bnewbiz.com until January 11, 2024. Successful applicants may receive a grant award of up to $30,000. This new program aims to provide much-needed financial support to businesses that have been struggling due to the pandemic.

In another development, the Illinois State Police (ISP) has launched a new form to report suspected corruption by public officials. The form, created by ISP's Special Investigations Unit, aims to streamline the reporting process and provide a centralized platform for reporting allegations of criminal misconduct. The online form, available at https://isp.illinois.gov/CriminalInvestigations/SIUComplaintDisclaimerForm, is specifically for reporting suspected public corruption. ISP will review the submissions and direct them to the appropriate agency for investigation.

Moving on to the agricultural sector, concerns are rising about the return of drought conditions in Illinois. As the farming community wraps up the harvest season, data from the United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service shows that the soil moisture in Illinois is decreasing. Only 53 percent of topsoil is currently rated as having adequate or surplus moisture, compared to 72 percent at the same point in 2022. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that a majority of the state is experiencing "Abnormally Dry" to "Severe Drought" conditions.

These dry conditions could have significant consequences not only for farmers but also for gardeners and individuals who take pride in their yards. Looking ahead, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts warmer winter temperatures in Illinois, but normal precipitation levels for most of the state. However, the precipitation model also suggests the potential for drier conditions in the Northeastern part of Illinois.

As Illinois prepares for the challenges ahead, these new grants and the opportunity to report corruption provide some hope and avenues for support. The state government is working to address the needs of businesses impacted by the pandemic and to ensure transparency and accountability in public affairs.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://senatorbryant.com/2023/12/05/bryants-bulletin-december-5-2023/