The State's $250 million Back to Business (B2B) grant program aims to deploy small businesses recovery grants for those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications will be accepted until Oct. 13.

Since the opening of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Direct Borrower Forgiveness Portal on Aug. 4, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has received more than 340,000 submissions from borrowers with PPP loans of $150,000 or less. For help submitting your application through the portal, watch the training video below. Visit the SBA website for more information.

Join the Small Business Administration from Sept. 13 to 15 for the National Small Business Week Virtual Summit to learn new business strategies, meet other business owners and chat with industry experts. This free online event will include educational webinars, updates on resources for small businesses and a networking chat room for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Register today!

The Village is accepting sponsorships for the 2021 Downtown Tinley Boo Bash, which will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24 at the Oak Park Avenue train station. The event generally draws about 7,000 people every year.

Four presenting sponsorships are now exclusively available to Tinley Park businesses for $500 each. If not filled, these sponsorships will be available to all businesses starting on September 1. Business BOOth sponsorships are available for $100. Each business BOOth will need to supply either at least 2,500 pieces of candy or provide free entertainment at their booth (such as a face painter, balloon artist, etc.) There are also food and snack vendor opportunities available.

Visit the Village website to download and fill out the sponsorship forms. For other questions, please contact Special Events Coordinator Vicki Sanchez at (708) 444-5044 or vsanchez@tinleypark.org.

Vendors who are interested in participating in the Village's annual Holiday Market from Dec. 3 to 5 at the Oak Park Avenue train station are encouraged to fill out the 2021 Vendor Application and email it to Special Events Coordinator Vicki Sanchez at vsanchez@tinleypark.org by Monday, Sept. 6.

The Village is looking for vendors to sell food, drinks and specialty items such as ornaments, glassware, candles, floral arrangements, jewelry and similar items. Due to space, this is a juried event, and vendors with personalized, holiday-themed and hand-crafted items will be given preference.

Selected vendors will be required to decorate their booths, keeping in mind that electricity is very limited. Estimated attendance in 2019 was 15,000 to 17,000 people throughout the three-day weekend, and visitor admission is free.

For more information, please call (708) 444-5044 or email vsanchez@tinleypark.org.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently issued a State-wide mandate requiring that all residents wear masks when indoors in a public place, regardless of vaccination status. All healthcare workers, including nursing home employees, all pre-k-12 teachers and staff, as well as higher education personnel and students will also now be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The masking requirements went into effect on Monday, Aug. 30. Masks can be removed at restaurants, bars and other eating/drinking establishments by patrons when they are actively eating/drinking while stationary. Masks can also be removed for certain activities that require their removal, such as beard shaves or facials.

Masks must fit an individual’s face snugly and must cover the mouth and nose. Learn more about the new mandate on the State's website.