CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- City, county, and state officials are holding a day-long summit online to help community groups and small businesses get American Rescue Plan money to help with their pandemic recovery work.
Mayor Lightfoot said the City of Chicago, Cook County, and state officials decided to join forces to give non-profits, community groups, local service agencies, and small businesses help knowing where and how to apply for grants under the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, and other economic recovery funding opportunities. There are new wrinkles to the program, she said.
"This new policy will allow eligible grant recipients to get 25 percent of a ward in advance, essentially acting as bridge funding so smaller organizations can get their operations up and running quickly," Lightfoot said.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle was among a trio of top officials taking part in the summit. She said local and state governments need to help those who help others.
"We have not previously coordinated our efforts at this level. This level of coordination is a heavy lift, for sure, but it is precisely what we need to effectively and equitably steward this historic funding," Preckwinkle said.
Preckwinkle welcomed non-profits, community groups, social service agencies, and small businesses that have been helping their communities recover from COVID-19.
"Your knowledge and understanding of the unique strengths and challenges faced by your communities are key to bringing real and lasting change to Cook County," Preckwinkle said.
Lightfoot said these “stakeholders” may need help cutting through red tape, or knowing how to get funds more quickly.
"Given how crucial you all are to our neighborhoods and local economies, some of this funding has been set aside to provide community stakeholders, like yourselves, and small business owners with much needed relief," Lightfoot said.
Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton also participated, stressing that equity is uppermost in mind.
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