Lightford encourages residents to fill out the 2020 Census

• Census 2020

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) encourages local residents to fill out the 2020 Census by emphasizing the importance of being counted, especially as we face unprecedented issues today. Please visit www.2020census.gov to fill out your census.

Lightford hosts 11th Annual Back-to-School event

BROOKFIELD –Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) held her 11th Annual Back-to-School event August 9 at Brookfield Zoo.

“Due to the public health crisis, we had to do the event a little differently, so we had a parade for the community. A number of cars came through to get supplies, literature, information, backpacks, snacks and food,” Lightford said.

Participants were asked to stay in their vehicles as they drove around the lot and received the different giveaways at a number of stops along the way. There was also a DJ playing music at the center of the lot to entertain families as they picked up supplies.

Nearly 100 cars drove through the back-to-school parade. Lightford’s office has distributed 1,000 backpacks with supplies.

“Our kids are the most important to me, and I want to make sure they know that regardless of if they are at home or if they are in school, it is important that they get a good, quality education,” Lightford said. “A good education opens doors, and I want them and their families to know that I support them on 100% on getting that education.”

The event was sponsored by Meijer, Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action, the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Counting on Chicago Coalition, Stand for Children, Peoples Gas, Ameren, Marc Realty, Black Star Project, Illini Healthcare, PepsiCo, Nicor Gas, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Proviso Township Census.

Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program

Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance is here. Proviso Township and West Suburban Cook County is here to help you apply and answer your questions tomorrow, August 15, 12p.m. to 4p.m. at the Jordan Temple Church Parking Lot.

Lightford thankful for local businesses receiving state grants

MAYWOOD – In an effort to provide support to small business owners facing economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) announced local businesses will receive a combined $870,000 through the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program.

“I fought for and helped craft this effort to ensure that areas that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are able to receive support to keep their small businesses open,” said  Lightford. “Almost $900,000 is going directly to businesses in my district, and I am thankful that those owners are finally seeing some relief.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded a total of $46 million to 2,655 small businesses in the first round of BIG funding. The BIG program offers grants to Illinois restaurants and bars, barbershops and salons, and fitness centers that have suffered pandemic-related losses, with a focus on businesses in the hardest-hit areas of the state.

First round grants range from $10,000 to $20,000 and may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs, rent and utilities. The funds may also be used to cover pandemic-related expenses, such as PPE, training and new technology.

To ensure ongoing support for Illinois small businesses, the State of Illinois has planned future rounds of funding, including a special program for child care providers. The application deadline for this program is Aug. 14.

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the COVID-19 economic downturn. The full list of grant recipients is available here.