05-02-2025
Rockford restaurants, bars, coffee shops eligible for new COVID-19 relief grants
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Bars and coffee shops that serve food are now eligible for relief money to help offset the impact of state-mandated closures that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
GoRockford, formerly the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, is providing a third round of its Restaurant Relief Grant program, now including certain bars and coffee shops.
'Restaurants, bars, and coffee shops are cornerstones of our community, offering more than food and drink—they're places where connections are made and traditions are celebrated,' said Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford). 'Expanding this program to include bars and coffee shops ensures we're addressing a wider range of needs in our community and helping these small businesses sustain their vital role in our local economy.'
The maximum award a qualifying business can receive has been set at $100,000.
So far, the state-funded program has paid out $665,286 to 39 restaurants for financial damage related to staff layoffs and unemployment claims from when businesses were ordered to close.
opened on February 3rd and will close on February 28th.
Eligibility: To apply, an authorized representative of a restaurant will need to certify that:
The restaurant's principal place of business is located within Winnebago County, Illinois.
The restaurant complied with the indoor dining closure mandates enacted by the State of Illinois during Q1 and Q2, of 2021 via Executive Orders 2021-01, 2021-02, 2021-03, 2021-04, 2021-05, 2021-6, 2021-9, and 2021-10.
In complying with indoor dining closure mandates in Q1 and Q2 of 2021, the restaurant laid off staff and, as a result, has experienced higher unemployment benefit charges in Q1 and Q2 2021.
The restaurant incurred a higher rate of state unemployment taxes in 2022, 2023 and 2024 because of the higher unemployment benefit charges in Q1and Q2, of 2021.
The restaurant remains operational today.
The grants will be distributed after applications are reviewed by a professional panel consisting of Bridget Coleman, CPA, Coleman CPA & Accounting; Jennifer Furst, President, Furst Staffing; Carrie Hagerty, Finance Director, City of Rockford; Linda Heckert, President, Northwest Bank; John J. Morrissey, President/CEO, Staff Management; and John Schuster, Retired CFO, Rosecrance Health Network.
Required application documents for first time applicants:
W-9 for Restaurant
2021 Restaurant Tax Return
IL Dept. of Employment Security form BEN-118 – Statement of Benefit Charges for Q1 and Q2, 2021
IL Dept. of Employment Security Rate Determination letter for 2022, 2023 and 2024
State Unemployment Tax Reports for 2022, 2023 and 2024
Proof of payment of State Unemployment Taxes for 2022, 2023 and 2024
Required application documents for applicants who applied in Round 1 and/or 2:
State Unemployment Tax Reports for Q3 and Q4 2024
Proof of payment of State Unemployment Taxes for Q3 and Q4 2024
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