November 10, 2020 – Illinois is providing hundreds of millions of federal tax dollars for businesses and local governments through the Business Interruption Grant program and Illinois CURE act, but they have to follow the rules of the Governor in order to keep the money. The grants are for certain businesses with losses that are related to the pandemic or state restrictions in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. Taking the money will require recipients to comply with the governor’s executive orders.
The business “Must have complied with all relevant laws, regulations, and executive orders from the State and federal government, including the social distancing guidelines as promulgated by the Executive Orders of the Illinois Governor,” according to the grant application. Meaning the hospitality grants from the state, they could be withdrawn if the business is not complying with the governor’s directive.
Officials with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity said it will address the issue with businesses that are refusing to comply. “DCEO will take appropriate actions regarding applicants and grantees who are not complying with the statewide public health orders in coordination with IDPH and Illinois State Police,” a department spokesperson said by email.
It’s not just businesses that could be on the hook for grant dollars, it is local governments as well. While the governor has threatened to take liquor licenses away from businesses that don’t comply with his orders, it’s unclear what, if any, actions the governor will take against local governments that refuse to comply.
As of late October, the state says it has released more than $46 million to over 1,200 businesses across the state. Nearly $50 million has been released to local governments to offset COVID-19 related losses.
