Local businesses to receive recovery assistance thanks to support from Senator Peters

Chicago – Local South Side businesses were awarded more than $5.2 million in funding from the Back to Business program thanks to advocacy and support from State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).

“Small businesses across the state have been negatively impacted in the last two years, especially Black and Brown-owned businesses,” Peters said. “Grant programs like Back to Business have been vital to keeping the doors of thousands of small businesses across the state open.”

The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

So far – thanks to strong support from Senator Peters – DCEO has provided $200 million in B2B grants to small businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on disproportionately impacted areas. With nearly $50 million left to go, more businesses will have the opportunity to get a share of the relief funds.

“The B2B program’s focus on hard hit sectors like restaurants, salons, fitness centers and organizations focusing on the arts really make it a nation-leading example of small business recovery,” Peters said. “I’m glad to see so many South Side businesses take advantage of this opportunity.” 

Grants will continue to be awarded on a rolling basis. Visit the DCEO website for more information on the B2B program or check the status of an existing application by logging into the portal.

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Peters measure to combat drownings in Lake Michigan advances

Springfield - Piers and public access points to Lake Michigan will soon be safer thanks to a measure advanced by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) that will help install essential rescue equipment.

“All people deserve to feel safe when they head to the beach this summer,” Peters said. “This is an essential step that we need to take to keep our families safe on Lake Michigan.” 

House Bill 4165 requires owners of a pier or drop-off on Lake Michigan to install public rescue equipment such as life- saving rings and buoyant lines.  The measure also establishes tracking and reporting requirements for local governments that own a pier or drop-off on Lake Michigan.

Nationally, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of 5, the second leading cause for children under 15, and the third leading cause for people under 30. 

The measure originated from a controversy between residents of the Rogers Park neighborhood and the Chicago Park District over a lack of life saving rings on lakefront piers.  After 19-year old Miguel Cisneros drowned last summer, residents installed a life-saving ring on the lakefront pier, which was subsequently removed by the Chicago Park District, creating significant tension in the community.

“We have had too many tragic and, in many cases, preventable deaths on Lake Michigan,” Peters said. “This is a long overdue safety measure that will help make all of us safer when we enjoy the lake this summer.” 

The measure passed the Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday.

Local museums receive grants with support from Senator Peters

Chicago – Major Chicago cultural centers including the Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute and the Chicago Children’s Museum have been awarded grants totaling more than $1.5 million  to make improvements and improve visitor experience, thanks to support from State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).

“Museums provide excellent opportunities for our youth and families to learn and grow together,” Peters said. “This grant program is making a significant investment in our most prominent local museums  that will ultimately attract more visitors, support research, and serve the community for generations to come.”

Overseen by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program is open to any museum operated by a local government or built on municipally owned land. The maximum grant award for projects is $750,000, and matching funds are often required based on museum attendance.

The program will distribute a total of $19.7 million in grants to 36 Illinois museums for facility improvement and development of new exhibits.

“Museums across the state have been negatively impacted in the last two years,” Peters said. “I am glad to see that three of the most important museums in our community receive this important assistance.”

Investments for the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program are funded by Rebuild Illinois. More information about the program is available here.