The Galena Gazette is providing all of its news stories and photos of the COVID-19 pandemic with no payment required as a public service and in an effort so you can be totally knowledgeable as to how the pandemic affects you. Please consider a print or online subscription to support this vital reporting by a locally owned business .
WASHINGTON–Members of the Illinois Congressional delegation sent a letter to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza supporting Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s request for a SBA Economic Injury Declaration for Illinois amid the coronavirus pandemic. As of this week, more than 100 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Illinois.
“The economic impact the pandemic is having on Illinois businesses and the local communities they serve is dire, and there is extraordinary demand for state and local government resources for emergency response. Assisting small businesses in recovery is of the utmost importance to these communities,” the members wrote.
A SBA Economic Injury Declaration would provide low-interest federal loans of up to $2 million to small businesses and non-profit organizations, which may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that cannot be paid due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The letter was signed by the entire delegation: senators and representatives.
Full text of the letter is available here and below: