Businesses now have until Monday, May 31 to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which is open for both first- and second-draw applicants. Funding is available for businesses that previously used PPP which have:

Funding is also available to first-time borrowers that:

Payroll, rent, covered mortgage interest and utilities expenses are eligible for forgiveness. First-time applicants can apply here, and returning applicants can apply here. Visit the Small Business Administration website for more information.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will host a webinar titled "How Women Trailblazers are Shattering the Glass Ceiling and Leading COVID-19 Recovery Efforts in Illinois" at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 31.

Join representatives from the Offices for Minority Economic Empowerment and Regional Economic Development for a webinar exploring how women economic leaders in Illinois are driving COVID-19 relief efforts and economic recovery with an equity lens.

Registration is required. For a full list of other upcoming DCEO webinars, visit the DCEO website.

Joliet Junior College will host two webinars in April, including: