BROOKFIELD –Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) held her 11th Annual Back-to-School event August 9 at Brookfield Zoo.

“Due to the public health crisis, we had to do the event a little differently, so we had a parade for the community. A number of cars came through to get supplies, literature, information, backpacks, snacks and food,” Lightford said.

Participants were asked to stay in their vehicles as they drove around the lot and received the different giveaways at a number of stops along the way. There was also a DJ playing music at the center of the lot to entertain families as they picked up supplies.

Nearly 100 cars drove through the back-to-school parade. Lightford’s office has distributed 1,000 backpacks with supplies.

“Our kids are the most important to me, and I want to make sure they know that regardless of if they are at home or if they are in school, it is important that they get a good, quality education,” Lightford said. “A good education opens doors, and I want them and their families to know that I support them on 100% on getting that education.”

The event was sponsored by Meijer, Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action, the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Counting on Chicago Coalition, Stand for Children, Peoples Gas, Ameren, Marc Realty, Black Star Project, Illini Healthcare, PepsiCo, Nicor Gas, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Proviso Township Census.

Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance is here. Proviso Township and West Suburban Cook County is here to help you apply and answer your questions tomorrow, August 15, 12p.m. to 4p.m. at the Jordan Temple Church Parking Lot.

MAYWOOD – In an effort to provide support to small business owners facing economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) announced local businesses will receive a combined $870,000 through the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program.

“I fought for and helped craft this effort to ensure that areas that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are able to receive support to keep their small businesses open,” said  Lightford. “Almost $900,000 is going directly to businesses in my district, and I am thankful that those owners are finally seeing some relief.”

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 PPE, training and new technology.

To ensure ongoing support for Illinois small businesses, the State of Illinois has planned future rounds of funding, including a special program for child care providers. The application deadline for this program is Aug. 14.

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.

During the Stay at Home Order, Gov. JB Pritzker placed a moratorium on evictions to protect vulnerable residents struggling to pay their rent. The moratorium has since been extended to Aug. 22, but many Illinoisans are at risk of homelessness when it expires.

For a brief period this month, the Illinois Housing Development Authority is offering support to renters through the Emergency Rental Assistance program.

With a total of $150 million in funding, this is the largest rental assistance program in the nation. Recipients will receive up to $5,000 in aid, but the funding is limited and we still need help from the federal government to protect the livelihood of more Illinoisans.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must have fallen behind on their rent since March 1 and must be able to demonstrate income losses as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Individuals who have received prior pandemic-related rental assistance from the government—including the relief program administered by the City of Chicago—are not eligible. However, if you have applied for another government program and have not yet been approved, you may still apply.

Please note: You will need a government-issued photo ID and your landlord’s email address to apply. For more information about eligibility and required documents, find helpful resources at ERA.IHDA.org or call IHDA toll-free at 1-888-252-1119.

Applications open Aug. 10 at 9 a.m. and will be available at ERA.IHDA.org. The application period will close no later than Aug. 21. However, it may close earlier if IHDA receives an overwhelming number of applications, so apply as early as you possibly can. Successful applicants will be notified within 2-3 weeks of submitting their forms.

While applications are only available online, community partners are available to help people who cannot complete an application over the internet. A list of these partners will soon be available in the Resources section of the program’s website and via the toll-free number.

With questions about this program or other resources that may help you cope during these exceptionally tough times, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at (708) 632-4500 or http://senatorlightford.com/contact-us.