Illinois Governor Pritkzer and the state Department of Commerce have announced the creation of the Hospitality Emergency Grant Program to financially help small hotels, motels and other lodging establishments with funds that were originally slated for job training, tourism promotion and other purposes. The $14 million fund will provide grants to help establishments with payroll, rent and other expenses – welcome news considering the hospitality industry is among the hardest hit sectors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our goal is simple: We understand business has slowed. We do not want businesses to close forever,” said State Treasurer Michael Frerichs. “We want them to be able to make payroll and pay their own bills. It’s easier to ramp up a business that is struggling than a business that has shuttered.”
Hotels/Lodging Establishments Eligible for Grants
Hotels with a valid Illinois license that generated less than $8 million in revenue in 2019 are eligible for up to $50,000 in funding.
Applications for the Hospitality Emergency Grant Program are available online and are due by 5 p.m. on April 1. Valid applicants will be entered in a lottery and grant winners will be notified by April 4. Funds will be available to awarded businesses within two days of receiving the necessary bank information from an awarded grantee.
Businesses can submit an application online here: Landing Page, English Application, Spanish Application.
Distinguished Programs encourages agents and brokers to make sure their hotel clients in Illinois are aware of the Hospitality Emergency Grant Program in order to get their application in on time.
Sources: IL DOC, Block Club Chicago
