Illinois Statewide Rapid Response Funds

On March 9, 2020 Governor Pritzker issued a Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation in response to COVID‐19. The proclamation allows local workforce development agencies to access State resources in order to support small businesses facing financial impacts from the COVID-19 national health emergency. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has identified Statewide Rapid Response funds to reinforce Layoff Aversion activities due to Illinois Executive Order 2020-10 (COVID‐19 Stay‐at‐home Order).  

Attached you will find the Emergency Funding Pre-Application instructions and a Pre-Application Fillable form. If you or other local small businesses in your area fit the definition of an “essential business” under the Governor’s latest criteria, funding may be available to them to help offset the costs for things such as clean-up sanitation services, computer software and hardware, and cross-functional and/or transitional training that are directly related to the COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Order. 

The range for funding is $5,000 - $50,000 per employer/physical location. 

Applications for these competitive state grants will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. The DCEO has streamlined the process for employers by providing them with only a 2-page fillable form to complete, so hopefully that will minimize the time and effort needed to take advantage of this very timely funding opportunity.

If you have any questions about this e-mail, please feel free to contact your local WorkNET Center: