Caucus News

CHICAGO – Many local Chicago businesses were recently awarded over $2.5 million in funding from the Back to Business Program to help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to support from State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago).

“Chicago business owners have struggled with the impact the pandemic had over the last two years,” Martwick said. “This grant money will help so many Chicago businesses bounce back after facing the difficulties of reopening and recovering from COVID-19.”

The B2B program grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget. So far – thanks to strong support from Martwick– DCEO has provided $111 million in B2B grants to nearly 3,000 small businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on disproportionately impacted areas.

CHICAGO –Thanks to support from State Senator Rob Martwick (D-Chicago) to provide aid to libraries for pandemic recovery, the Schiller Park Public Library will receive nearly $6,000 to enhance its services.

“Libraries serve the public with information and opportunities to learn and prosper,” Martwick said. “This grant provides more resources to the library that will benefit people throughout the Shiller Park community.”  

The library grant program is aimed at responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and providing funds for libraries. Grant recipients can use the funding to modify services, transform spaces and develop resources for their local recovering workforce and to ensure all operations can be provided safely and effectively as the pandemic continues.

CHICAGO – New laws sponsored by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) will help raise awareness in schools for students who are at higher risk of suicide or dealing with other mental health challenges as soon as next year.

“Mental health challenges have risen dramatically.  We need to ensure that our teachers and administrators have every tool they need to identify students who are suffering and ensure those students get the resources they need,” Martwick said.

Under new law, public school students will be able to take excused absence days to prioritize their mental or behavioral health and make up missed work. 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) congratulated local businesses that were awarded grants from the latest round of the Back to Business program awards.

The B2B program allocated $250 million in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover a wide range of operations such as staff and overhead costs.

“I am happy to see the Back to Business grants going toward businesses in our neighborhoods that need help to get back on their feet,” Martwick said. “These funds will help struggling business owners return to operation and pay their employees.”

Twenty-three businesses in the district Martwick represents have already received $1.4 million in grants. They include restaurants, retail stores, and limousine companies, demonstrating the diversity of the local small business community. For a full list of businesses that have received Back to Business grants, visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awards page at illinois.gov/B2BAwards.

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) encourages local businesses struggling from the pandemic to apply for the latest round of the Back to Business grant program before the Oct. 13 deadline.

Overall, the B2B program will provide $250 million in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. Grants will range from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover a wide range of operations, such as staff and overhead costs.

“If your business is struggling financially right now, I encourage you to apply for this program,” Martwick said. “Our communities are bouncing back after such a rough year during the pandemic, and I’m encouraging businesses that need it most to apply to the Back to Business program and let us help you.”

Priority is given to businesses in hard-hit industries, in hard-hit areas, and with revenues less than $5 million, as well as businesses that have not yet received any government assistance. Eligibility guidelines are also available in: Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Hindi, and Arabic.

17 businesses in the district Martwick represents have already received $855,000 in grants. They include Brew Brothers LLC, Park Ridge Dance Inc., White Star Premier Cleaners, and many others, demonstrating the diversity of the local small business community and how many different kinds of businesses are eligible for grants.

Interested business owners can learn more about the B2B grant program and start an application on the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website .The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 13.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) believes energy legislation that passed the General Assembly today takes firm steps to address climate change by setting deadlines for increased clean energy use and, fossil fuel-burning plant closures, as well as establishing incentives to speed up the adoption of electric vehicles.

“Climate change is everyone’s problem,” Martwick said. “If we don’t act now, our children and grandchildren will face an increasingly harsh world, dominated by heat, extreme weather, droughts, and water scarcity.”

The legislation, Senate Bill 2408, would set a goal of a 100% clean energy economy in Illinois by 2050. It also would establish deadlines along the way for the adoption of more renewable energy and the closure or conversion of fossil fuel-burning plants. To help encourage more people to purchase electric vehicles, it would create a consumer rebate and incentives to build more charging stations in locations across the state.

The comprehensive measure also would create a number of safeguards for Illinois’ energy consumers, helping lower costs and increase utility company accountability. For example, it would formally empower the Illinois Commerce Commission to investigate ComEd – and any other utility companies found guilty of criminal behavior – and impose penalties that could include returning money to customers. It also would ban the practice of charging “convenience fees” for customers who prefer to pay using debit or credit cards rather than enrolling in auto-pay or direct bank transfers.

“We not only need to fight climate change, we need to modernize Illinois’ entire utility system,” Martwick said. “That means creating good-paying clean energy jobs and requiring utility companies to accept common forms of payment without charging extra fees.”

The legislation, which now goes to the governor for his signature, is expected to create or preserve tens of thousands of good-paying jobs in the clean energy economy, supported by a robust network of training programs.

SPRINGFIELD – Today, State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) joined his colleagues to take action on the future of Illinois’ energy production and began laying out the framework for the state to move forward with clean and safe energy and good-paying jobs for future generations.

“This legislation will help us invest in the future of our state,” Martwick said. “Creating tens of thousands of jobs through clean energy programs will ensure that we are on the right path in the fight against climate change.”

This legislation, SB 18 makes Illinois a national leader in reducing carbon emissions through renewable, reliable and affordable energy suppliers, as well as training programs for thousands of well-paying jobs. Creating programs to set Illinois on an aggressive path to fully renewable energy generation by 2050, these investments in renewable energy are the largest in the history of Illinois.

Under the plan, Illinois would be investing in large solar construction across the state to help provide renewable energy to residents. The state would also be investing in nuclear power plants and ensuring that Illinois will not choose to import energy from carbon-polluting plants.

“Our focus is to position Illinois as the leader of the renewable energy future,” Martwick said. “Securing thousands of jobs for the people of Illinois means more economic stability for residents who will find security in the clean-energy sector.”

The legislation would create a number of statewide programs to help train these new workers for the clean-energy sector and green energy jobs with a focus on minority and lower-income communities.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law spearheaded by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) that will help public state workers better save for retirement was signed into law Friday.

“Employees across the state deserve to know their hard work will pay off into retirement,” Martwick said. “Encouraging people to invest in their futures earlier on will allow for more savings that leads to more financial stability.”