CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- With the Independence Day holiday approaching and COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in the rear view mirror, local small businesses are looking back on the aid programs that helped them get through the pandemic shutdowns.
Governor JB Pritzker, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, and U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabel Guzman gathered Friday at La Catedral Cafe at 25th and Christiana in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood to look back on the federal and state grants that were available to small businesses when the shutdowns began in March 2020.
Owner Ambrocio Gonzalez said his business survived thanks to loans from the Federal Paycheck Protection Program and the Illinois Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
"With PPP, we were able to retain all of our employees. This program allowed us to rent our outdoor equipment to continue to operate safely outdoors," he said.
With the worst of the pandemic behind him, Gonzalez said, he's preparing to expand the restaurant.
Governor Pritzker said the Illinois General Assembly worked quickly to pass a small business aid package at the onset of the pandemic.
"Providing $290 million to small businesses in the form of business interruption grants. This allowed many businesses to pay rent, to make payroll, to get PPE at a critical moment in the pandemic," Pritzker said.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city also did its part.
"What we've done is put $100 million in grants and loans for small businesses, and in particular micro-businesses," Lightfoot said.
Friday's event on the Southwest Side also represented the first public appearance together for Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot in quite some time.
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