The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved the state’s eligibility for disaster assistance loans for small businesses facing financial hardship in all 102 counties due to COVID-19. Eligible businesses can apply for up to $2 million in low-interest loans at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is hosting webinars to help black businesses get through this difficult time. On Friday, May 15 they will host one with information specifically for businesses in the Northeast region of the state. To register, go to: https://bit.ly/DCEO515

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and during this difficult time, I want to remind you that it is okay not to be okay. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, there is help.

Please reach out to your mental health provider or call the NAMI Helpline, 800-950-NAMI, or in a crisis, text "NAMI" to 741741.

DCEO’s African American Business Development Manager Matt Simpson will be hosting a series of webinars focusing on African American small businesses. Matt will be joined by a representative from the Small Business Administration to discuss the federal programs that are available. Please note the below webinars are open to all Illinois small business owners. However, DCEO recognizes that there are unique challenges that African American business owners face and will speak to those concerns in this webinar series.

If you have questions, please contact Matt at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Dates and Times:

• Friday, May 1, 2020 at 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. – Southern & Southwest Region: (East St Louis, Centerville, Carbondale, Cairo) please register at https://bit.ly/2yhb8TS
• Friday, May 8, 2020 at 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. - North Central, Northern Stateline, Northwest, West Central, and East Central Regions (Peoria, Decatur, Champaign, Quad Cities, Galesburg) please register at https://bit.ly/3b9Kknj
• Friday, May 15, 2020 at 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. – Northeast Region (Chicago South Suburbs, Dolton, Riverdale, South Holland, Thornton, Lansing) please register at https://bit.ly/2RDzyhl